Homocysteine test
Explanation
A homocysteine test measures a substance in the blood that the body normally breaks down with help from B vitamins. A raised result can be a clue to a vitamin deficiency, but it has other possible causes.
Does a high result mean I need vitamin B12?
Not necessarily. Low vitamin B12 or folate can raise homocysteine, but reduced kidney function can also do this. The result does not identify which cause applies. Other vitamin tests and the reason for testing help make sense of it.
What about heart disease?
High homocysteine is associated with heart and blood-vessel problems. It does not show that an artery is blocked or predict whether a particular person will have a heart attack. Lowering the number with vitamins has not generally been shown to prevent heart attacks or strokes.
Before a repeat test
Tell the testing team about vitamin supplements and medicines. Follow any fasting instructions they give you, and do not stop medicines without advice.
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