Medical expert of the article
New publications
Hyperhomocysteinemia: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Hyperhomocysteinemia may contribute to the development of arterial or venous thromboembolism, which may be due to damage to the vascular wall endothelial cells. The level of plasma homocysteine increases more than 10 times in homozygotes with a deficiency of cystathionine synthase. Less pronounced activation is manifested with heterozygous deficiency and with other abnormalities of folic acid metabolism, including a deficiency of methyltetrahydrofolate reductase. However, the most common cause of hyperhomocysteemia is the acquired deficiency of folic acid, vitamin B 12 or vitamin B. The diagnosis is determined by measuring the plasma level of homocysteine. The level of homocysteine can be normalized by the correction of nutrition with the use of folic acid, vitamins B 12 or B (pyridoxine) in combination or monotherapy. However, it is not yet clear whether this therapy reduces the risk of arterial or venous thrombosis.
[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12]