Homocysteine
46.63
Fasting
EDTA kept on ice until separated, and must be separated within 1 hr of collection.
EDTA (Purple) on ice. See notes.
0.5 ml EDTA (Purple) on ice. See notes.
Frozen plasma or whole blood on ice
EDTA or Heparin blood kept on ice until separated, and must be separated within 1 hr of collection.
Frozen plasma
Biochemistry
Weekly
7 days
cobas Pro
umol/L
5 - 15 umol/L
15%
Homocysteine
Testing is indicated in the evaluation and follow-up of homocystinuria. In this rare genetic disease, homocysteine levels are often > 100 µmol/L. Testing may also be helpful in the evaluation of B12/Folate deficiency. MMA is more specific for B12 deficiency.
Homocysteine may also increase in patients with hepatic dysfunction, renal dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, malignancies and taking certain medications: Folate antagonists, B12 antagonists, anticonvulsants, metformin, thiazide diuretics, some glitazones, nicotinic acid and fibrates.
Homocysteine and cardiovascular disease: a review of the evidence. Wierzbicki AS. Diab Vasc Dis Res. 2007 Jun;4(2):143-50
Patient should be fasting. Plasma must be separated within 1 hour of collection and frozen. Please notify the Laboratory that the specimen is on its way.
We have now restricted homocysteine testing to SMO requests only.
0.2 mL EDTA Plasma (Frozen)
HOMO
$HOMO
