This is a single-marker test measuring homocysteine. It can be ordered as part of a custom panel.
Homocysteine is a type of amino acid necessary to make proteins. Normally, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folic acid break down homocysteine and change it into other substances the body needs. Therefore, there should be very little homocysteine left in the blood.
Scientific research suggests that people with high homocysteine levels have a much greater risk of heart attack or stroke than those with normal levels.
Increased homocysteine concentrations have also been linked to increased blood clots, which can lead to strokes, heart attacks, and blood vessel blockages in the body.
If an individual has increased levels of homocysteine in the blood, it may be a sign of a vitamin deficiency, heart disease, or a rare inherited disorder called homocystinuria caused by an MTHFR Gene Variant.
A physician may request a homocysteine test to:
*Note: Most states in the US require all children to get a homocysteine blood test as part of their routine newborn screening.
This is a single-marker test measuring homocysteine. It can be used to screen patients who may be at risk for heart disease and stroke.
