Homocysteine Test

What is Homocysteine Test?

If you have high levels of homocysteine in your blood, it may be a sign of a vitamin deficiency, heart disease, or a rare inherited disorder.

More about Homocysteine Test

Homocysteine is produced by the body. Homocysteine in the body is converted or recycled to methionine or cysteine, which are very beneficial to the body, with the help of several vitamin B proteins (B-Complex proteins), more importantly vitamin B12. A high level of homocysteine makes a person more prone to certain blood vessel damage, and hence seen as a risk factor for development of heart diseases. Your doctor may order a homocysteine test to assess the possibility of suffering from Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency. The levels are also measured in elderly patients and malnourished individuals as they have increased propensity to vitamin B12 deficiency. Homeocysteine levels are also measured in patients known to have an increased risk of heart attack or other heart diseases. Additionally, these levels are also assessed in patient who have a family history of heart diseases but not presenting with any concerned risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes or obesity.

Reference Values

• Reference range depends on age, gender and medical history. A normal reference range is listed below.
• Homocysteine levels are typically higher in men than women and increases with age progression
• The normal range in adults: 2 micromoles per liter.

Interpretations

In cases of suspected malnutrition or vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, increased homocysteine levels can be observed. If an individual is not able to get sufficient B vitamins and/or folate through dietary sources or supplements, then the body fails to convert homocysteine into cysteine, methionine and several other chemicals that have an important role to play in the growth, development, and protection to the body. Homocysteine is persistently elevated in people with a greater risk of heart attack and stroke.