Homocysteine and Vascular Disease

Q:  I had a homocysteine blood test (I am 70 years old) and the results were 9 micromol per liter. Could you please explain what this means? My doctor was very reluctant to give me the blood test.

A:  Homocysteine is an amino acid found in blood, with average levels about 9-11. Higher levels are bad and are associated with increased risk of vascular disease, such as heart attack or stroke. About 20% to 40% of people with arteriosclerosis have elevated levels of homocysteine, similar to that of smoking or high cholesterol.

Levels are determined by your genetics and nutrition. In a large European study, people who took folate and other B vitamins had lower homocysteine levels and less vascular disease. The current recommended amount of folic acid is 400 micrograms (mcg) a day. You can get folic acid from green leafy vegetables, legumes, oranges, fortified cereal and pasta.

"Dear Doctor" is a compilation of patient questions answered by doctors from the Medical College of Wisconsin.