Homocysteine is an amino acid found in the blood plasma that is linked to the development of cardiovascular diseases such as stroke, coronary heart disease or heart attacks, for example, because its high levels can cause alterations in blood vessels.
Normally, the cardiologist or family doctor may request a homocysteine test to observe the amount of this amino acid in the blood, assessing the need to initiate treatment to prevent the cardiovascular problems mentioned above, if the value is high.
- Normal homocysteine values in blood tests should be less than 15 lmol / L.
- Although this value may vary slightly depending on the laboratory that is analyzing it.
Normal reference values may vary from lab to laboratory, however, normally the amount of homocysteine in the blood is considered normal when between 5 and 15 ml /L.Values higher than those that generally pose an increased cardiovascular risk, as homocysteine can directly damage cells.
To assess cardiovascular risk, the reference values are generally
Depending on the concentration of homocysteine in your blood, your doctor may indicate the best form of treatment.Values below the reference value should also be treated as they can lead to immune system failure and oxidative stress, which can lead to cell death and toxicity.effects on the body.
Some medications may interfere with the test result, increasing blood homocysteine levels, so it’s important to tell the lab if you’re using a drug to be considered at the time of testing.
Homocysteine levels in the body are measured from the blood test requested by the doctor, which should be performed with the person in the form of emptying for at least 12 hours.
The low homocysteine value can occur mainly due to vitamin B or folic acid supplementation, especially during pregnancy, as these substances decrease the concentration of homocysteine in the blood.
Normally, values slightly below the reference value are not a cause for concern, however, when homocysteine concentration is very low, this can cause bodily harm, as there is a decrease in antioxidant production, resulting in a build-up of toxic substances.in the body.
When the homocysteine index is very low and for no apparent reason, it is recommended to consult a GP to assess the problem, as this may be a sign of low production of this amino acid.
What to do: When the cause of homocysteine decline is known, such as vitamin B or folic acid supplementation, for example, your doctor generally recommends interrupting or modifying the dose of supplementation until homocysteine concentration returns to normal.
In other situations, a diet change may be recommended to eat fewer foods rich in vitamins B6 and B12, such as fish, bananas, avocados and vegetables, and folate, such as beans, spinach, and lentils, for example.
High homocysteine is caused by excessive consumption of proteins, especially red meats, which can damage the walls of blood vessels and cause the development of cardiovascular disease.
Increased homocysteine in the blood may also be due to
In addition, other factors associated with an increase in homocysteine are lifestyle, due to certain habits such as smoking, excessive coffee consumption and lack of physical activity.
Thus, whenever there are elevated values of this amino acid, the doctor should perform a clinical evaluation and request tests to detect its cause and provide additional advice.
Treatment of high homocysteine should be done by reducing the consumption of protein-containing foods, especially red meats.In addition, it is advisable to increase your intake of foods with vitamins B6 or B12, such as liver fillet, salmon or shellfish.
In some cases, when food is not enough to reduce homocysteine, your doctor may also prescribe the use of dietary supplements containing folic acid, vitamin B2, taurine or betaine to help decrease the amount of homocysteine in your blood.