Homocysteine
Price: 1540

- Reporting Time:
- 6 Hrs


- Specimen Type:
- Blood


- Home Collection:
- Available


- Walk-In:
- Available

- Precautions:
- It is recommended that the person fasting for at least 10-12 hours before the test. Person is advised not to eat or drink anything except water prior to the test
Parameters Covered:2
Quick View
To detect folate or vitamin B12-deficiency, to asess if a person is at an increased risk for a heart attack or a cardiac stroke , to diagnose homocystinuria which is a rare inherited disorder.
When vitamin B12 or folate deficiency is suspected in a person, if a person had a heart attack or stroke with no associated risk factors, as part of newborn screening done routinely or in a suspected case of Homocystinuria.
1. What are the sources of folic acid and vitamins B6 and B12?
Cereal grains are the main source of folic acid. Fruits and vegetables have high levels of vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 can be found in animal foods like red meats, poultry, fish, and other seafood.
2. Could any medications effect homocysteine level?
Yes. There are several drugs that either increase or decrease the homocysteine levels in the body. Drugs like Azaribine, carbamazepine, methotrexate, nitrous oxide, phenytoin, etc increase the levels of homocysteine. Oral contraceptives also affect homocysteine metabolism.
3. What is homocysteinuria?
Homocystinuria is a genetic condition seen in childhood, where there is a deficiency or lack of enzymes associated with the homocysteine breakdown pathway. This condition leads to severely elevated levels of homocysteine. Homocystinuria is a rare and serious condition where there is developmental delay, osteoporosis, visual abnormalities, blood clots formation, and advanced atherosclerosis in the blood vessels.