Homocystinuria is a disorder of methionine metabolism, leading to an abnormal accumulation of homocysteine and its metabolites (homocystine, homocysteine-cysteine complex, and others) in blood and urine. Normally, these metabolites are not found in appreciable quantities in blood or urine. What causes hyperhomocysteinemia?
The main cause of hyperhomocysteinemia is a dysfunction of enzymes and cofactors associated with the process of homocysteine biosynthesis. Other causes include excessive methionine intake, certain diseases and side effects of some drugs.
What happens if homocysteine is high?
High homocysteine levels in the blood can damage the lining of the arteries. High levels may also make the blood clot more easily than it should. This can increase the risk of blood vessel blockages. A clot inside your blood vessel is called a thrombus. Does vitamin B12 lower homocysteine?
Elevated homocysteine levels can be lowered. We know that folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 are all involved in breaking down homocysteine in the blood. Therefore, increasing your intake of folic acid and B vitamins may lower your homocysteine level.
Does homocysteine cause stroke?
Elevated blood homocysteine concentration increases the risk of stroke, especially among hypertensive individuals. Homocysteine is largely affected by the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T polymorphism and folate status. How serious is hyperhomocysteinemia?
High homocysteine levels may mean you have a vitamin deficiency. Without treatment, elevated homocysteine increases your risks for dementia, heart disease and stroke.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)
What is hyperhomocysteinemia?
Hyperhomocysteinemia refers to the condition where there is greater than 15 micromol/L of homocysteine in the blood. This condition is present in a wide range of diseases, and in many cases, it is an independent risk factor for more serious medical conditions.
Which foods reduce homocysteine?
Studies show foods containing folic acid may lower homocysteine. Try beans, leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, beets, and wheat germ. A controlled trial showed that eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables containing folic acid, beta-carotene and vitamin C effectively lowered homocysteine levels.
What are the symptoms of high homocysteine?
Elevated homocysteine symptoms
- pale skin.
- weakness.
- fatigue.
- tingling sensations (like pins and needles) in the hands, arms, legs, or feet.
- dizziness.
- mouth sores.
- mood changes.
Does homocysteine cause blood clots?
Elevated levels of homocysteine show an increased risk for (1) hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), which could eventually result in a heart attack and/or stroke, and (2) blood clots in the veins, referred to as venous thrombosis.
Does homocysteine cause inflammation?
Does exercise lower homocysteine?
Conclusions. Current evidence demonstrates that acute exercise increases homocysteine levels in the blood independent of exercise duration and intensity. Resistance, but not aerobic training decreases plasma homocysteine levels.
Can stress raise homocysteine levels?
The study of 34 middle-aged women found that brief periods of stress increased blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine. Research over the past 20 years has found that an even moderately elevated level of homocysteine is a risk factor for heart disease in both men and women.
Does coffee raise homocysteine levels?
Conclusions: Caffeine is partly responsible for the homocysteine-raising effect of coffee. Coffee, but not caffeine, affects homocysteine metabolism within hours after intake, although the effect is still substantial after an overnight fast.
Does vitamin C lower homocysteine?
It appears that the combination of vitamins C and E may be an antidote to homocysteine, and one that works more quickly than traditional treatments such as vitamins B6, B12 and folic acid. These vitamins can lower homocysteine levels over the course of a few weeks. In contrast, vitamins C and E can act within hours.
Does Tea raise homocysteine levels?
Conclusions: Chlorogenic acid, a compound in coffee, and black tea raise total homocysteine concentrations in plasma. Chlorogenic acid could be partly responsible for the higher homocysteine concentrations observed in coffee drinkers.
Does high homocysteine cause high blood pressure?
In cross-sectional studies, higher plasma homocysteine levels are associated with higher levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP),2 ,3 but it remains unclear as to whether this relationship extends to the development of hypertension.
What is the normal range of homocysteine level?
The normal range of homocysteine levels are less than 15 micromoles per liter (mcmol/L). Higher levels are: Moderate (15 to 30 mcmol/L) Intermediate (30 to 100 mcmol/L)
How common is hyperhomocysteinemia?
Mild elevation in homocysteine levels (hyperhomocysteinemia) are common, and seen in about 5% to 12% of the general population. In specific populations such as, alcoholics (due to poor vitamin intake) or patients with chronic kidney disease, this may be more common.
What causes homocysteine?
What causes raised homocysteine levels? Many factors are thought to raise levels of homocysteine; among them are poor diet, poor lifestyle especially smoking and high coffee and alcohol intake, some prescription drugs, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis and poor thyroid function.
What is the homocysteine test for?
A homocysteine test may be used to: Find out if you have deficiency in vitamin B12, B6, or folic acid. Help diagnose homocystinuria, a rare, inherited disorder that prevents the body from breaking down certain proteins. It can cause serious health problems and usually starts in early childhood.
What is HCU test?
Diagnosing homocystinuria At around 5 days old, babies are now offered newborn blood spot screening to check if they have HCU. This involves pricking your baby’s heel to collect drops of blood to test. If HCU is diagnosed, treatment can be given to reduce the risk of serious complications.
How do you say Homocystine?
Can high homocysteine levels cause miscarriage?
Homocysteine is a type of amino acid that is naturally found in the body. At normal levels, it is not harmful, but elevated levels have been found to be associated with miscarriage as well as heart disease.
Which are vitamin B foods?
You can find vitamin B in:
- milk.
- cheese.
- eggs.
- liver and kidney.
- meat, such as chicken and red meat.
- fish, such as tuna, mackerel, and salmon.
- shellfish, such as oysters and clams.
- dark green vegetables, such as spinach and kale.
What medications cause high homocysteine levels?
Drugs such as cholestyramine and metformin interfere with vitamin absorption from the gut. Interference with folate and homocysteine metabolism by methotrexate, nicotinic acid (niacin) and fibric acid derivatives, may lead to increased plasma homocysteine levels.
Graduated from ENSAT (national agronomic school of Toulouse) in plant sciences in 2018, I pursued a CIFRE doctorate under contract with Sun’Agri and INRAE in Avignon between 2019 and 2022. My thesis aimed to study dynamic agrivoltaic systems, in my case in arboriculture. I love to write and share science related Stuff Here on my Website. I am currently continuing at Sun’Agri as an R&D engineer.