Homocysteine is an amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins. Homocysteine levels increase in the body when the metabolism to cysteine of methionine to cysteine is impaired.
Elevated levels of homocysteine are associated with heart attack, stroke, and blood clots. If a person develops any of these diseases, then the physician often orders to check homocysteine levels in the blood.
Level of homocysteine: Moderate (15 to 30 µmol/L)
Intermediate (30 to 100 µmol/L)
Severe (greater than 100 µmol/L)
