Test Description

Homocysteine is a non-protein α-amino acid. It is a homologue of the amino acid cysteine, differing by an additional methylene bridge (-CH2-). A high level of homocysteine in the blood (hyperhomocysteinemia) makes a person more prone to endothelial cell injury, which leads to inflammation in the blood vessels, which in turn may lead to atherogenesis, which can result in ischemic injury. Elevated homocysteine may also play a role in an increased risk for coronary heart disease and other heart related conditions by supporting the hardening of the arteries. This test will measure the amount of homocysteine in the blood.

When should this test be ordered?
Homocysteine may be a part of your health check screening or to assess whether a patient is vitamin B12/folate deficient or part of a heart health screen.
High Risk · >= 15 (µmol/L)
Consider vitamin supplementation with pyridoxine (vitamin B6), vitamin B12, and folic acid. A diet low in methionine is recommended in addition to the B vitamins.
Borderline Risk · 10-14 (µmol/L)
Consider vitamin supplementation with pyridoxine (vitamin B6), vitamin B12, and folic acid. A diet low in methionine is recommended in addition to the B vitamins.
Low Risk · 0-9 (µmol/L)
Within Reference Range
Testing Method Used
Enzymatic-colormetric.

Sample is stable for 30 days at 2-8°C.

Please ship samples daily.
Improvements and Prevention
Considering that homocysteine results may be related to vitamin B deficiencies and a possible link to cardiovascular disease, improvement in those areas, like vitamin supplement and a healthy lifestyle may help by keeping your result risk in the normal range or improve abnormal outcomes.
Specimen Type
Serum
Fasting Required
Yes
Drawing and Processing
  1. Draw from a vein into a SST tubetube1
  2. Invert tube (do not shake) 1-2 times to mix adequately
  3. Let stand upright in tube rack for 30 minutes
  4. Centrifuge for 15 minutes at 3300rpm
  5. Do not leave at room temperature for more than 1 hour
  6. Keep cold in a refrigerator to maintain stability, until ready to ship
Shipping Instructions
  1. Freeze ice packs 24 hours prior to use
  2. Place ice packs inside the Styrofoam insulated kit
  3. Place processed tubes inside biohazard bag, place inside kit
  4. Seal box, print airbill and adhere to box and wait for courier to pick up
Rejection Criteria
Uncentrifuged or incompletely centrifuged; grossly hemolyzed or moderately lipemic; any level of hemolysis; moderate lipemia; QNS; temperature out of range upon receipt; wrong sample type; sample stability exceeded for this analyte; unlabeled or improperly labeled specimen.
References

1. Selhub, J. (1999). “Homocysteine metabolism”.

2. Refsum, H; Nurk, E; Smith, AD; Ueland, PM; Gjesdal, CG; Bjelland, I; Tverdal, A; Tell, GS; Nygård, O; Vollset, SE (June 2006). “The Hordaland Homocysteine Study: a community-based study of homocysteine, its determinants, and associations with disease.”

The information provided here is intended for educational purposes only and should not be used or substituted as medical advice. You should consult a healthcare practitioner regarding medical diagnosis or treatment.