Homocysteine

This is a single-marker test measuring homocysteine.

Ordering the Homocysteine Test with Great Plains Laboratory

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.

Which Patients is the Homocysteine Test From Great Plains Laboratory Best Used For?

Homocysteine is an intermediate product of the methionine cycle that closely links sulfur amino acid metabolism with key methylation reactions. it is a key factor in cardiovascular disease, psychiatric disorders, cancer, hip fractures, and Alzheimer's disease.

A physician may request a homocysteine test to:

• Determine if an individual has a deficiency in vitamin B12, B6, or folic acid
• Diagnose homocystinuria
• Monitor people with heart disease or risk of heart disease
• Monitor patients with the MTHFR Gene Variant
  

*Note: Most states in the US require all children to get a homocysteine blood test as part of their routine newborn screening.