Metabolism
Homocysteine
What This Marker Tells Us
An amino acid byproduct of methionine metabolism that accumulates when B vitamins are deficient, revealing cardiovascular disease risk and methylation pathway dysfunction.
Why It Matters
Elevated homocysteine directly damages blood vessel walls, promotes blood clots, and accelerates atherosclerosis independent of cholesterol. It also indicates impaired methylation, fundamental cellular processes affecting DNA repair, neurotransmitter production, and detoxification. High homocysteine increases risk of heart attack, stroke, dementia, depression, and birth defects. It responds to B vitamin supplementation, making it modifiable. Optimal levels protect cardiovascular and cognitive health.
How to Interpret Your Trends
Low homocysteine (below 7 µmol/L) indicates excellent B vitamin status and methylation capacity. Typical levels (7-10 µmol/L) suggest adequate but improvable methylation. Elevated homocysteine (10-15 µmol/L) indicates suboptimal B vitamin status increasing cardiovascular risk. High levels (above 15 µmol/L) signal significant deficiency and dramatically elevated risk requiring intervention.
What Influences This Marker
Inadequate folate, B12, or B6 elevate homocysteine. Genetic variants like MTHFR mutations impair methylation, raising levels. Kidney disease impairs clearance. Coffee, smoking, alcohol, and certain medications increase homocysteine. Adequate B vitamins, particularly methylated forms for MTHFR variants, lower levels effectively. Betaine and choline support methylation pathways.
How Your Team Uses It
Your team uses homocysteine to assess cardiovascular risk and methylation capacity, guiding B vitamin supplementation strategies. Elevated levels prompt methylated B vitamin supplementation and investigation of genetic variants and kidney function. Monitoring ensures interventions effectively lower this independent cardiovascular risk factor.
Related Signals We Also Review
Folate, B12, B6, methylmalonic acid, kidney function, MTHFR genetic testing, and cardiovascular risk markers complete the methylation and cardiovascular assessment.