Elevated levels of homocysteine are recognised as a risk factor for heart disease and stroke independent of established risk factors such as cholesterol, smoking and obesity. Homocysteine has also been linked to Alzheimer's disease, problem pregnancies, risk of neural tube defects in children from mothers with high levels of homocysteine and other congenital defects. For this reason is a good idea to regularily monitor your Homocsteine Score (H Score).

YORKTEST have developed a unique kit whereby you can take your own blood sample and get your H score result. A few drops of blood from a pin-prick are dropped onto a card and the membrane within the card then separates the plasma from the blood cells. This plasma blood sample is then sent back to the laboratory and tested using technology designed specifically for the precise and routine measurement of homocysteine in blood plasma.

Research suggests that high levels of homocysteine in the blood is a contributory factor in heart disease, strokes and thrombosis amongst other diseases and experts are hailing it a better predictor of potential health problems than cholesterol.

The Homocysteine test allows you to easily check your levels of homocysteine using our unique plasma separator device, which was developed in-house by our research scientists.
 
"Your homocysteine is your most vital health statistic - more important than your weight or blood. It literally tells you where you are on the scale of health and whether you are doing enough to keep yourself in tip-top condition."
 
Patrick Holford, author and founder of the Institute of Optimum Nutrition.
 
Testing Procedure:
 
The plasma separator device was created and developed in-house by our Senior Research Chemist for ease of use.  When your sample arrives at the laboratory, it is firstly checked to determine if has been carried out correctly and if it is a sufficient sample.
 
The sample disc is removed from the main card device, and liquid is added to saturate or rehydrate the sample – this process removes the sample from the disc itself.
 
The next chemical added ‘frees’ the homocysteine from the protein in the blood sample.  This means that any waste material is washed away and a clean homocysteine sample, ready for testing, is left.
 
The sample is then assessed on the HPLC (High Pressure Liquid Chromatography) equipment.
 
The final result is calculated using reference standard preparations.  The specialised software computes the information to determine your ‘H-Score’ (homocysteine results).
 
We recommend that you carry out this test first thing on a Monday morning as the sample needs to be in the laboratory within 7 days.  The Homocysteine test is an overnight fasting sample.

Homocysteine (Hcy) Defined

Homocysteine (Hcy) is a sulphur-containing amino acid that is formed in the metabolism of methione.  Plasma homocysteine is usually rapidly metabolised via one of two pathways:

• A vitamin B12 and folate dependent re-methylation   pathway that regenerates methionine
• A vitamin B6 dependent trans-sulphuration pathway that converts homocysteine to cysteine.  

If these pathways are disrupted (e.g. through dietary lack of of folate, B12 or B6) Hcy accumulates in the cell and is then transported to the circulation where levels rise.

Hcy generates superoxide and hydrogen peroxide, both of which have been linked to damage of the lining of arterial vessels. Hcy changes coagulation factor levels encouraging blood clot formation.  It prevents small arteries from dilating, making them more vulnerable to obstruction by clot or plaque. It causes the smooth muscle cells that support the arterial wall to multiply - part of the atherogenic process in its reactive form, Hcy thiolactone, it causes platelets to aggregate – part of the clotting process.