What is homocysteine?

Homocysteine is a protein that your body needs to break down to other chemicals needed for the body to function.  In order for homocysteine to convert, it needs vitamin B12, B9, B6.  

In order to find your levels of homocysteine, it has to be done with a blood test.  

Normally, if your body has enough vitamin B, it can easily break down into chemicals needed to make our vessels and body run efficiently.  

What happens when you have too much homocysteine?

High levels can start to clot the blood.  This puts you more at risk for heart attack, stroke and blood vessel disorders along with other mood changes.  

Normal levels of homocysteine are 15 micromoles per liter of blood.  A micromole is 602 quadrillion photons.  

Here are the categories for high levels of homocysteine:

A. Moderate: 15-30 micromoles
B. Intermediate: 30-100 micromoles
C. Severe: more than 100 micromoles

When your levels of homocysteine and low vitamin Bs can lead to several symptoms:
1. Pale skin
2. Weakness
3. Fatigue
4. Tingling in extremities
5. Dizziness
6. Mouth sores
7. Mood changes
8. Tongue swelling
9. Growth issues
10. Personality changes
11. Irregular heartbeat
12. Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
13. Mental confusion or forgetfulness
14. Weight loss

What are the causes of high homocysteine levels?

Improper diet is very common for high levels.  Not eating enough vegetables will lead to low levels of vitamin B.  Thyroid issues, psoriasis, kidney disease, medications, genetics are all risk factors. 

What happens with long term high levels of homocysteine?

• Bone thinning
• Atherosclerosis (fatty artery walls)
• Thrombosis
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Dementia
• Alzheimer's disease
• Depression
• Increased mood swings
  
  What is the solution to bring levels of homocysteine down?
  Eating green leafy vegetables, orange juice (if not diabetic) and beans.  If this is not possible, take vitamin B complex to make sure your are getting the vitamins that you need to help conversion.  
  
  Making sure you get blood tests every 6 months to make sure your organs and body are working properly is recommended.  This way, if anything is lurking, you can address it before it becomes a problem.  
  
  Dr. Amie Gregory, DC, CCEP, ANF is a San Francisco, CA and San Carlos, CA chiropractor that understands full body health.  She works with athletes, expectant moms, office workers and everyone else in between.  When a symptom arises, she finds out what could be causing any issues and how to get rid of them and keep them from coming back!
  
  Contact our San Francisco, CA chiropractic office or San Carlos, CA chiropractic office, we will take good care of you. 
  
  Resources:
  https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/homocysteine-test/
  https://www.healthline.com/health/homocysteine-levels