Homocysteine

Why It Is Done

A homocysteine blood test is done to:

• Help determine your risk for having heart disease, stroke, and diseases of the blood vessels (peripheral arterial disease).
• Help identify vitamin B12 deficiency or folic acid deficiency. But other tests for these deficiencies are available.
• Help identify a rare inherited disease (homocystinuria) that causes a deficiency of one of several enzymes needed to convert food to energy.
• Help determine a cause for otherwise unexplained blood clots.

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Author:	Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: February 13, 2009
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Brian Leber, MDCM, FRCPC - Hematology
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