HOMOCYSTEINE

Homocysteine

Homocysteine is a common amino acid in your blood.In fact, a high level of homocysteine is a risk factor for heart disease. It’s associated with low levels of vitamins B6, B12, and folate, as well as renal disease.

Usually vitamin B12, vitamin B6, and folic acid break down the homocysteine and change, it into other substances your body needs. There should be very little homocysteine left in the bloodstream.

This homocysteine test may be ordered when a health practitioner suspects that a person may have a vitamin B12 and/or folate deficiency. Signs and symptoms are initially subtle and nonspecific. People with an early deficiency may be diagnosed before they experience any overt symptoms. 

A high level of blood serum homocysteine can increase the risk of a cardiovascular event mostly combined with other risk factors such as diabetes ,obesity, hypertension, damage to the blood vessel walls especially the arteries.