A Layman’s Guide to Homocysteine Levels

Let’s see briefly what high homocysteine levels mean for your health.

Homocysteine (Hcy) is an amino acid produced naturally by our bodies. It helps regulate blood clotting and is involved in DNA synthesis.

However, high homocysteine levels may be associated with heart disease, stroke and dementia.

The good news is that there are simple steps you can take to lower them.

Hcy is found in foods such as meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, nuts, beans, peas, lentils and soybeans. In addition, some medications, vitamins, and supplements can affect Hcy levels.

There are several things you can do to reduce your Hcy levels.

• First, make sure you eat foods rich in folate, such as leafy greens, beans, peas, lentils, oranges, bananas, and strawberries. Folate is also found in fortified cereals, breads and other grain products. 
• Second, try to limit alcohol consumption. 
• Third, avoid smoking cigarettes. 
• Fourth, take a daily multivitamin supplement containing folic acid. 
• Finally, consider using a B vitamin supplement.

To measure your Hcy level, you will need a lab test. A simple blood test can determine whether you have elevated homocysteine levels, but it won’t tell you how much homocysteine you have.

If you have elevated homocysteine levels, you should talk to your doctor about what steps you can take to lower them.

Elevated Hcy levels can cause symptoms such as headaches, memory loss, vision changes and numbness in the arms and legs.

You may also notice increased fatigue, muscle pain and joint pain.

Let’s see about high Hcy levels in detail.

Foods to Lower High Homocysteine Levels

There are a few different ways to lower high homocysteine levels.

One is to take supplements, such as B vitamins (B2, B6, B12, folic acid) and vitamin C. Another is to eat foods that are rich in these nutrients, such as leafy green vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds.

You can also lower your Hcy levels by eating foods that contain the amino acid methionine, such as fish, poultry and eggs.

If you have high homocysteine levels, it’s important to make sure you’re eating the right foods to help lower them. Some good options include:

• Leafy green vegetables: These are high in folic acid, which can help lower homocysteine levels.
• Citrus fruits: Citrus fruits are high in vitamin C, which can also help lower homocysteine levels.
• Legumes: Legumes are a good source of B vitamins, which are needed for homocysteine metabolism.
• Fish: Fish are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation and lower homocysteine levels.
• Nuts and seeds: Nuts and seeds are a good source of magnesium, which is needed for homocysteine metabolism.

Eating a healthy diet is important for overall health, and it can be especially helpful if you have high Hcy levels.

Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian to get more personalised recommendations.

Normal Range of Homocysteine Levels

A normal range of homocysteine levels in blood is between 5 and 15 micromoles per litre (µmol/L).

If the level is above 15 µmol/L, it may indicate a deficiency in vitamins B6, B12 and folate, and your doctor will consider prescribing vitamin supplements to lower the level.

Elevated homocysteine levels in urine are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and dementia.

However, not everyone who has high homocysteine levels will develop these diseases. This suggests that other factors must also play a role in determining whether someone develops one of these disorders.

Effects of High Homocysteine Levels

People with high homocysteine levels are at increased risk for developing the following:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Dementia
• Osteoporosis
• Blood clots
• Stroke

These risks are thought to be due to the effects of homocysteine on the lining of blood vessels.

Symptoms

High levels of homocysteine can be harmful and may lead to a number of health problems. Some of the most common symptoms of high Hcy levels include:

• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Memory problems
• Mood swings
• Difficulty concentrating
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Irritability
• Pale skin
• Mouth or tongue sores
• Tingling sensation in hands, feet or legs
• Muscle weakness
• Dizziness 

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to speak to your doctor to determine if homocysteine levels may be the cause.

High homocysteine levels can be treated with dietary changes, supplements and medication.

Causes

High homocysteine levels can have a variety of causes.

One common cause is a vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is essential for the proper functioning of the body’s nervous system, and a deficiency can lead to a build-up of homocysteine in the blood.

Other causes of high Hcy levels include:

• Kidney disease
• Certain genetic disorders
• Certain medications
• Vegan and vegetarian diets (not rich in B12)
• Psoriasis

High Hcy levels can also be caused by the following:

• Smoking
• Alcohol abuse
• High-fat diet

Treatment

The first step in treating high homocysteine levels is to take a blood test to determine the exact level. If the level is high, your doctor will likely prescribe a medication called folic acid.

Folic acid helps to lower Hcy levels by increasing the amount of folate in the blood.

Medications that are commonly used to treat high homocysteine levels include:

• Vitamins B2, B6, B12 and Folic acid

In addition to taking medication, you can also lower your Hcy levels by making lifestyle changes. These changes include:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Quitting smoking
• Getting regular exercise

Making these changes can help to protect your heart and improve your overall health.

Genetics and Homocysteine Levels

Genetics plays a role because certain variants of the MTHFR gene can lead to higher homocysteine levels.

This is because these gene variants affect the way the body metabolises homocysteine. People with these gene variants are more likely to develop heart disease, stroke and other health problems.

Also, homocysteine levels tend to run in families, which further supports the role of genetics.

While genetics may predispose someone to higher homocysteine levels, lifestyle choices can make a big difference in terms of actually reducing your high homocysteine levels.

If you have a question related to this blog post, write to us here and we will update this post with a response.

Sources: Cleveland Clinic, Healthline, MedlnePlus and WebMD.

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