Normal Homocystine Level

Homocysteine is an amino acid and is produced in the human body or metabolized from eating proteins. Amino acids are a building block to proteins which are essential for bodily functions. The normal level of homocysteine is between 5 and 15 µmol/L (micromoles per liter). It is measured using a blood test and levels may vary according to age and gender.

History

• According to the Life Extension Foundation, the history of homocysteine dates back to the discovery in 1932. Not until 1968, a Harvard researcher named Dr. Kilmer McCully discovered the link between elevated homocysteine levels and heart disease in children. Although met with apprehension, the theory is elevated homocysteine levels are associated with strokes, Alzheimer's disease, kidney disease, dementia, eye diseases, erectile dysfunction and heart disease.

High Homocysteine Levels

• Increased levels of homocysteine are classified as moderate, intermediate and severe. Moderate levels of homocysteine levels are fall between 15 to 30 micromoles per liter. Intermediate homocysteine levels range from 30 to 100 micromoles per liter. If high homocysteine levels are severe, the range is greater than 100 micromoles per liter.

High Homocysteine Level Causes

• Individuals with high homocysteine levels generally are deficient in folate, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. Other indicators of a high homocysteine level were reported in patients with hypothyroid (low thyroid hormone levels), kidney disease, psoriasis, genetic predisposition and from medications.

Reducing Homocysteine Levels

• A lifestyle change to include an appropriate diet is the first line of treatment to reduce homocysteine levels. Introducing more fruits, vegetables, dried beans and fortified grain products increase the folate in the diet which reduces homocysteine levels. Folate is an integral part of converting homocysteine to methionine, which is essential for bodily functions and processes. A folate supplement is an alternative if adjusting the diet inadequately lowers homocysteine levels.

Elevated Homocysteine Symptoms

• The first sign of elevated homocysteine is the deficiency of folate and the B vitamins. Narrowing and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), blood clots, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms are complications that are linked as a symptom of high homocysteine levels which may lead to heart disorders. Symptoms of elevated homocysteine are generally not easy to identify and present as an underlying condition.

Prevention

• Smoking cessation and reducing coffee consumption reportedly has the potential of reducing homocysteine levels according to a study published in The American Society for Nutrition. Diet is also a preventative option to reducing homocysteine levels. In the Preventative Medicine journal, a 13 percent reduction of homocysteine levels were reported after one week while following a strict began diet, stress management and spirituality sessions, smoking cessation, no alcohol consumption and no caffeine intake.