Homocysteine: The Lab Test You Probably Haven’t Heard Of

Open your last set of routine blood work and look for homocysteine.

Don’t see it? You’re definitely not alone.

Homocysteine is an amino acid your body naturally produces. Your body relies on nutrients including folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 to help process it appropriately.

When homocysteine is elevated, it can sometimes give us another clue about what may be happening inside the body.

Elevated homocysteine has been associated with cardiovascular and vascular health risks and may also be seen with vitamin B12 or folate deficiency, kidney disease, hypothyroidism, certain medications, or genetic factors.

But homocysteine is a clue, not a diagnosis.

And not everyone needs it tested.

At Youthful You Aesthetics + Wellness in North Peoria, AZ, comprehensive lab testing isn’t about ordering every lab possible. It’s about choosing the right labs for the right patient based on symptoms, medical history, medications, risk factors, and individual wellness goals.

Your hormones, metabolism, thyroid, nutrition, and cardiovascular health don’t exist independently of one another.

You are one whole person, and that’s how we approach your care.

If your routine labs are “normal” but you still don’t feel your best, it may be time to look at the bigger picture.