Homocysteine (Serum)

An amino acid that, when elevated, raises cardiovascular and cognitive risk.

Last reviewedJune 16, 2026

Serum

sample type

~5 mL

blood needed

~7 days

results in app

Morning, fasting preferred

best timing

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On this page

Why test Reference ranges What you'll learn What affects it How testing works Sources FAQ

In short

Homocysteine is an amino acid your body makes as it processes another amino acid called methionine. Normally it is quickly recycled or broken down with the help of B vitamins, mainly folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6.

When this processing is sluggish, often due to low B vitamins or a genetic variant, homocysteine builds up in the blood. This serum measurement reflects that level.

Heart & Cholesterol

Reviewed against DGKL reference practice.

Why test this?

A raised homocysteine is linked to higher risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and blood clots, and it is often a sign that your B vitamin status or methylation is off. It is also studied in relation to cognitive decline and bone health.

Very high levels can point to inherited metabolic conditions. In most people, a moderately raised level responds to correcting folate, B12, and B6.

What is a normal result?

Aniva reads your result against research-backed ranges, not just the lab's wide normal. The reference shown below is specific to this biomarker.

Adult reference values as used by Aniva. Ranges are guidance and can vary by laboratory and method.

Group	Normal range	Optimal range
Men	Below 15 µmol/L	Below 10 µmol/L
Women	Below 15 µmol/L	Below 10 µmol/L

Sources: Reference interval; hyperhomocysteinemia >15 µmol/L — Refsum et al., Clin Chem 2004;50(1):3-32, Total homocysteine & cardiovascular disease risk meta-analysis — Bautista et al., J Clin Epidemiol 2002;55(9):882-7, Optimal <10 µmol/L; CV risk rises continuously, lower is better — Homocysteine Studies Collaboration, JAMA 2002;288(16):2015-22

Your Aniva report reads your result against these values together with your age, sex and the rest of your panel.

Ranges are guidance and vary by lab and assay, aligned with DGKL practice. Always read your result against your own lab's reference interval.

What insights will this test give you?

You learn whether your homocysteine is raised, which can flag low B vitamins or a methylation issue and add to your cardiovascular picture. A high result often guides simple, targeted nutrition steps within a personalized action plan.

What can affect this result?

What can skew the result

Delayed separation of serum from cells falsely raises the result, since red cells keep releasing homocysteine. Low folate, B12, or B6, kidney impairment, hypothyroidism, smoking, and some medications raise levels. EDTA plasma processed quickly is analytically preferred over serum.