{"id":9816,"date":"2025-05-15T01:38:50","date_gmt":"2025-05-14T22:38:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/?p=9816"},"modified":"2026-05-27T12:57:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T09:57:00","slug":"what-does-a-homocystin-test-show-when-it-is-prescribed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/what-does-a-homocystin-test-show-when-it-is-prescribed\/","title":{"rendered":"Homocysteine test: what it shows and when it is prescribed"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"65\" data-end=\"528\"><strong data-start=\"65\" data-end=\"88\">What is homocysteine?<\/strong><br data-start=\"88\" data-end=\"91\" \/><a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/analysis\/biochemical-blood-tests\/cardio-rev-motorology-panel\/gomotsysteyin-hcysh\/\">Homocysteine<\/a> \u2014 is an amino acid that is formed in the body as a result of the metabolism of methionine \u2014 an essential amino acid that comes with food. Normally, homocysteine levels are maintained at a low level due to the work of enzymes and the presence of B vitamins (B6, B9 \u2014 folic acid, B12). An increase in the concentration of this amino acid in the blood (hyperhomocysteinemia) is associated with the risks of cardiovascular, neurological and metabolic disorders.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"530\" data-end=\"570\"><strong data-start=\"530\" data-end=\"570\">Why get tested for homocysteine?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"572\" data-end=\"626\">Homocysteine testing is recommended in the following cases:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"628\" data-end=\"1189\">\n<li data-start=\"628\" data-end=\"736\">\n<p data-start=\"630\" data-end=\"736\"><strong data-start=\"630\" data-end=\"666\">Cardiovascular risk assessment:<\/strong> Elevated levels are associated with atherosclerosis, stroke, and thrombosis.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"737\" data-end=\"859\">\n<p data-start=\"739\" data-end=\"859\"><strong data-start=\"739\" data-end=\"765\">Pregnancy planning:<\/strong> Folate deficiency and hyperhomocysteinemia can lead to miscarriages or fetal malformations.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"860\" data-end=\"961\">\n<p data-start=\"862\" data-end=\"961\"><strong data-start=\"862\" data-end=\"903\">Suspicion of <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/vitamin-deficiency-causes-symptoms-and-ways-to-restore-balance\/\"   title=\"Vitamin Deficiency: Causes, Symptoms, and Ways to Restore Balance\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"135\">vitamin deficiency<\/a> Group B:<\/strong> Especially for vegetarians or people with gastrointestinal diseases.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"962\" data-end=\"1050\">\n<p data-start=\"964\" data-end=\"1050\"><strong data-start=\"964\" data-end=\"1050\">Control of genetic disorders of folate metabolism (e.g., MTHFR gene mutations).<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1051\" data-end=\"1189\">\n<p data-start=\"1053\" data-end=\"1189\"><strong data-start=\"1053\" data-end=\"1098\">Neurodegenerative disease risk assessment:<\/strong> Some studies link elevated homocysteine to Alzheimer&#039;s and Parkinson&#039;s diseases.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1191\" data-end=\"1319\"><strong data-start=\"1191\" data-end=\"1221\">Normal homocysteine levels in the blood<\/strong><br data-start=\"1221\" data-end=\"1224\" \/>Normal values may vary depending on the laboratory, but approximate reference ranges are:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1321\" data-end=\"1413\">\n<li data-start=\"1321\" data-end=\"1352\">\n<p data-start=\"1323\" data-end=\"1352\">in adults: <strong data-start=\"1335\" data-end=\"1352\">5\u201315 \u03bcmol\/L<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1353\" data-end=\"1381\">\n<p data-start=\"1355\" data-end=\"1381\">in children: <strong data-start=\"1364\" data-end=\"1381\">3\u201310 \u03bcmol\/L<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1382\" data-end=\"1413\">\n<p data-start=\"1384\" data-end=\"1413\">in pregnant women: <strong data-start=\"1396\" data-end=\"1413\">4\u201312 \u03bcmol\/L<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1415\" data-end=\"1507\">Values above 15 \u03bcmol\/L are considered pathological and may require medical intervention.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1415\" data-end=\"1507\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-9818\" src=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/11-3.jpg\" alt=\"Table of normal and pathological homocysteine levels\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/11-3.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/11-3-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/11-3-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/11-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/11-3-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1509\" data-end=\"1540\"><strong data-start=\"1509\" data-end=\"1540\">How to prepare for the analysis<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1542\" data-end=\"1873\">\n<li data-start=\"1542\" data-end=\"1631\">\n<p data-start=\"1544\" data-end=\"1631\">You need to take the test. <strong data-start=\"1568\" data-end=\"1582\">on an empty stomach<\/strong> (at least 8 hours after the last meal).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1632\" data-end=\"1721\">\n<p data-start=\"1634\" data-end=\"1721\">The day before the analysis, it is advisable to avoid alcohol, excessive physical exertion, and fatty foods.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1722\" data-end=\"1873\">\n<p data-start=\"1724\" data-end=\"1873\">Tell your doctor about all vitamin supplements you take \u2014 especially vitamins B6, B9, and B12, as they can affect homocysteine levels.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"1875\" data-end=\"1924\"><strong data-start=\"1875\" data-end=\"1924\">Why homocysteine levels may be elevated<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1926\" data-end=\"2139\">\n<li data-start=\"1926\" data-end=\"1970\">\n<p data-start=\"1928\" data-end=\"1970\">Deficiency of folic acid, vitamin B12, B6<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1971\" data-end=\"2020\">\n<p data-start=\"1973\" data-end=\"2020\">Genetic mutations in folate metabolism enzymes<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2021\" data-end=\"2041\">\n<p data-start=\"2023\" data-end=\"2041\">Kidney disease<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2042\" data-end=\"2068\">\n<p data-start=\"2044\" data-end=\"2068\">Some autoimmune diseases<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2069\" data-end=\"2105\">\n<p data-start=\"2071\" data-end=\"2105\">Smoking, sedentary lifestyle<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2106\" data-end=\"2139\">\n<p data-start=\"2108\" data-end=\"2139\">Alcohol or coffee abuse<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2141\" data-end=\"2173\"><strong data-start=\"2141\" data-end=\"2173\">Methods for lowering homocysteine<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2175\" data-end=\"2406\">\n<li data-start=\"2175\" data-end=\"2242\">\n<p data-start=\"2177\" data-end=\"2242\">A diet rich in folate <a href=\"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/analysis\/biochemical-blood-tests\/carbohydrate-metabolism\/lactic-acid\/\" title=\"Lactic Acid\"  data-wpil-monitor-id=\"463\">acid<\/a> (leafy vegetables, legumes, liver)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2243\" data-end=\"2295\">\n<p data-start=\"2245\" data-end=\"2295\">Taking vitamins B6, B9, B12 - under the supervision of a doctor<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2296\" data-end=\"2355\">\n<p data-start=\"2298\" data-end=\"2355\">Lifestyle changes: stress reduction, physical activity<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2356\" data-end=\"2406\">\n<p data-start=\"2358\" data-end=\"2406\">Treatment of concomitant pathologies, if detected<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Homocysteine levels are not just a number in a test. Changes in them can signal serious problems that are important to detect early. Controlling this indicator helps reduce health risks and prevent future complications.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is homocysteine?Homocysteine is an amino acid that is formed in the body as a result of the metabolism of methionine, an essential amino acid that comes from<\/p>","protected":false},"author":627,"featured_media":9817,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-9816","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9816","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/627"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9816"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9816\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9817"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9816"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9816"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medilab.km.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9816"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}