MEDICINES
LAB TESTS
CONSULT DOCTORS
CANCER CARE
AYURVEDA
PARTNERSHIPS
CARE PLAN
Login
|
Signup
Order Summary
0 Test
PROCEED TO CART
Need Help?
How can we help?
Home
Homocysteine

Homocysteine

For men & women
Earliest reports in
48 hours
Contains
1 test
Know more about this test

A homocysteine test is used to measure the amount of homocysteine in your blood. Homocysteine is an amino acid that the body uses to make protein. Since vitamins B6, B12, and folate are necessary to metabolize homocysteine, increased levels of the amino acid may be a sign of deficiency of these vitamins.

The homocysteine test is advised if you are at high risk for heart disease. It also helps detect deficiency of vitamin B6, B12, and folate. In addition to that, it helps diagnose homocystinuria in newborns and infants.

The normal homocysteine levels in the blood range between 4 and 15µmol/L. Excess levels of homocysteine can build up in the arteries, which may increase your risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke.

Eating a balanced diet can help maintain the right amount of vitamins in the body.

Find out
Why is this test booked?
Preparation for this test
Sample Collection
Who will collect your samples?

What does Homocysteine measure?

The Homocysteine Test measures the levels of homocysteine in the blood.

Homocysteine is an amino acid which is an intermediate in the production of cysteine from methionine. Methionine is obtained from dietary sources, mainly fish, meat, and dairy products, and is converted to homocysteine, and then to cysteine in the body. This conversion from methionine to cysteine is regulated by various enzymes which require Vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid to work. Deficiency of these vitamins causes an increase in the levels of homocysteine in the body. Increased homocysteine levels in the blood can be due to a rare genetic disease called homocystinuria, where the enzymes needed for methionine metabolism are dysfunctional.

Increased levels of homocysteine in the blood are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis, thrombosis (formation of blood clots) in blood vessels, heart attack, and stroke. It has also been implicated in some studies with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

FAQs related to Homocysteine

A fasting period of 10 to 12 hours is prescribed before the test. Inform the doctor of any medications you may be taking. No other specific preparations are usually required before the Homocysteine Test.
Certain medications like carbamazepine, methotrexate, etc. can affect the result of homocysteine test. Smoking and alcohol intake can increase homocysteine levels.
Additional tests that may be prescribed in case of abnormal homocysteine test result are: · Urine Homocysteine Test · Lipid Profile Test · Cardiovascular Disease Screening Tests · Vitamin B12 Test · Folic Acid Test
Q. What is Homocystinuria? Homocystinuria is a genetic disease where metabolism of an essential amino acid called methionine is affected, leading to increased levels of homocysteine in blood. Homocystinuria is caused due to an inheritable genetic mutation which causes abnormalities in the enzymes required for methionine metabolism. Symptoms of homocystinuria appear in infants within a few years of birth. Symptoms include dislocation of the eye lens leading to visual defects, muscular and skeletal deformities, osteoporosis, long and slender body structure (Marfan syndrome like appearance), seizures, mental retardation, etc. Infants affected by homocystinuria are also at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and stroke.
Increased homocysteine levels in blood show subtle symptoms similar to vitamin deficiency. These include: · Fatigue and weakness · Dizziness · Appetite loss · Pale color · Reduced blood pressure · Increased heart rate · Shortness of breath · Soreness in mouth · Visual defects · Osteoporosis · Increased risk of cardiovascular diseases like heart attack and stroke · Increased risk of blood clot formation inside blood vessels
There is no risk associated with the test. However, since this test involves a needle prick to withdraw the blood sample, in very rare cases, a patient may experience increased bleeding, hematoma formation (blood collection under the skin), bruising or infection at the site of needle prick.
Content created by
Written by:
Dr. Lipika Khurana
BDS, PGDHHM
Reviewed by:
Dr. Swati Gupta (Anand)
MBBS, MD Lab Medicine
Want to know moreRead our editorial policy
Last Updated25th Oct 2023

Homocysteine test price for other cities

Price inAhmedabadRs. 738
Price inAllahabadRs. 738
Price inBangaloreRs. 738
Price inBhopalRs. 738
Price inChandigarhRs. 738

How does home sample collection work?

Easy online booking

Search for tests and packages, book a time and select address for seamless at-home lab tests.

Live tracking of phlebotomist

Stay informed with live tracking of our phlebotomist's location for seamless sample collection.

Safe collection

Our phlebotomists follow strict safety protocols to collect samples at home on time.

Sample received at lab

Your sample is bought to our laboratory for testing by our qualified experts.

Quick reports, free follow up

Reports are sent to your email. A free doctor follow up is provided to understand the report better

Download the Tata 1mg app. Trusted healthcare, at your fingertips.

Book tests, track reports, and get AI-powered health insights.

or
Conducted by
Tata 1mg Labs
ISO certified
Accredited labs
Highly skilled Phlebos
Verified reports
Who will collect your samples?
Tata 1mg certified phlebotomists
Contains 1 test
Homocysteine