Contents:
Medical Video: MTHFR and Homocysteine - Part I
Definition
What is homocysteine?
Homocysteine is one of 20 amino acids (molecules that the body needs to synthesize all body proteins). It is impossible to get homocysteine from food, so it must be made from amino acids that can be consumed in foods, such as methionine (found in meat, fish and dairy products). Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), vitamin B12, and folic acid are needed to help with this reaction.
Increased homocysteine levels are associated with heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. If someone develops one of these diseases and does not increase risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, then physicians often see more unusual causes and risks including checking blood homocysteine levels.
When do I have to undergo homocysteine?
Baby's blood and urine are often checked for elevated homocysteine levels if they have a family history of illness or if they have certain medical conditions including eye lens dislocation, unusual body shape (Marfan's type), mental retardation), or signs of stroke. Young adults who experience an initial heart attack, or blood clots are often checked for blood clotting abnormalities including homocysteine blood tests.
Homocysteine levels are also more often measured if the patient has a heart attack or stroke and has no risk factors for the disease (smoking high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes).
Prevention & warning
What should I know before undergoing homocysteine?
A urine test may be done to help detect and monitor homocystinuria. However, blood tests are more accurate. If someone has a family history of early atherosclerosis or a family member has been diagnosed with homocystinuria, then that person must be tested for gene mutations found in family members.
Homocysteine levels can increase with age, when people smoke, and with the use of drugs such as carbamazepine, methotrexate, and phenytoin. Homocysteine levels are lower in women than men. Women's concentration increases after menopause, possibly because of reduced estrogen production
Process
What should I do before I undergo homocysteine?
Do not eat or drink anything (other than water) for at least 8 hours before the test. Many drugs may affect the results of this test. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the prescription drugs and without the prescription you are taking. Talk to your doctor about the needs of the test, the risk, how to do it, or the meaning of the test results.
What is the process of homocysteine?
The doctor will clean a small area in the arm or elbow with an antiseptic cloth or alcohol pad. In some cases, your doctor will tie an elastic belt around your upper arm to increase blood flow. This makes collecting blood from the arteries much easier. Your arm will then be pricked with a needle that the doctor inserts into the artery. A pipe that will collect blood is placed on the other end of the needle.
Once blood is taken, the doctor will take a needle and then use a cotton cloth and bandage to stop bleeding on the needle-pierced skin.
What should I do after undergoing homocysteine?
You can return to normal activities after the test is complete. You will be told when you can take the test results. The doctor will explain the meaning of your test results. You must follow the doctor's instructions.
Explanation of Test Results
What do the test results mean?
The normal values listed here - called reference ranges - are only as a guide. This range varies from one laboratory to another, and your laboratory may have a different range than usual. Your lab report must contain the range that your lab uses. In addition, the doctor will assess your results based on health and other factors. This means that values that are outside the normal range listed here may still be normal for you or your lab.
Normal:
0.54-23 mg / l or 4-17 micromol per liter (mcmol / l)
Many conditions can affect homocysteine levels. The doctor will discuss with you about abnormal test results related to your symptoms and health conditions in the past.
High value
High values of homocysteine may be due to:
- do not get enough folic acid, vitamin B6, or vitamin B12 in food
- other conditions or diseases such as homocystinuria, kidney disease, hypothyroidism, Alzheimer's disease, or certain cancers
- drinking too much alcohol
- gender. Homocysteine levels are normally higher in men than women
- age. Homocysteine levels increase with age
Low value
Low values of homocysteine may be due to several drugs or vitamins such as daily folic acid, vitamin B12, or niacin.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
