What is the Homocysteine ​​test for?

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The Homocysteine ​​test is a blood or urine test to check Homocysteine ​​levels. Homocysteine ​​is a molecule synthesized from many amino acids, mainly methionine (protein found in animal meat, fish, milk and dairy products), vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid.

1. What is the Homocysteine ​​test for?

Homocysteine ​​testing is performed for the following purposes:
Assess the risk of stroke and myocardial infarction in patients with a family history of coronary artery disease, and/or who do not themselves have these risk factors. risk factors for stroke or heart attack, but have a smoking habit, are obese, have high blood pressure, or have diabetes. Screening for coagulopathy in adolescent patients with a history of stroke, myocardial infarction, or thromboembolism. Guidelines for the treatment of patients who have had a stroke or heart attack. Blood and urine homocysteine ​​testing to screen newborns when there is a family history of the disease or the child has manifestations of certain diseases such as cataracts, Marfan syndrome, which makes the child's body abnormal. Children with mental retardation, children showing signs of stroke. Check for deficiencies in folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12.

2. Homocysteine ​​test results

The blood homocysteine ​​level is considered normal if it is within the range of 5-15 micromol/l but preferably less than 7.2 micromol/l. There are many factors that affect homocysteine ​​test results, however, when homocysteine ​​levels are above or below the normal limit, along with other signs and symptoms, your doctor will say: may be due to: deficiency of folic acid, vitamin B6 or B12; have hypothyroidism, kidney disease, Alzheimer's disease, certain types of cancer; other factors such as alcohol consumption, gender (male), age (older age). Low homocysteine ​​may be due to: Taking folic acid supplements, multivitamins containing vitamins B12, B3. In newborns, when testing for Homocysteine ​​in the urine is indicated, if the value is elevated, a blood test for Homocysteine ​​should be performed to determine the cause.

3. Other things to keep in mind about the Homocysteine ​​test

In patients with a family history of the disease, genetic testing should be performed to look for genetic mutations that cause disease.
Homocysteine ​​test results can be affected by factors including: Smoking, use of certain medications for epilepsy, immunity, cancer. The addition of folic acid, vitamins of group B such as B6, B12 for the purpose of reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction, stroke is not beneficial. And should avoid self-addition of these substances without prescription or instructions from the doctor.

In summary, the Homocysteine ​​test was performed to check for folic acid, vitamin B6, B12 deficiency and to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease in patients without risk factors. To get the most accurate results, patients need to go to a reputable hospital to be examined and ordered by a specialist. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital is one of the leading prestigious hospitals in the country, trusted by a large number of patients for medical examination and treatment. Not only the physical system, modern equipment: 6 ultrasound rooms, 4 DR X-ray rooms (1 full-axis machine, 1 light machine, 1 general machine and 1 mammography machine) , 2 DR portable X-ray machines, 2 multi-row CT scanner rooms (1 128 rows and 1 16 arrays), 2 Magnetic resonance imaging rooms (1 3 Tesla and 1 1.5 Tesla), 1 room for 2 levels of interventional angiography and 1 room to measure bone mineral density.... Vinmec is also the place to gather a team of experienced doctors and nurses who will greatly assist in diagnosis and detection. early signs of abnormality in the patient's body. In particular, with a space designed according to 5-star hotel standards, Vinmec ensures to bring the patient the most comfort, friendliness and peace of mind.

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