cardiac · Hcy
Homocysteine
An amino acid in the blood that rises when B vitamins (B12, folate, B6) are low. Elevated levels are associated with cardiovascular risk and can be a clue to underlying B-vitamin status.
This page is general wellness education, not medical advice. Your own lab’s reference range and your clinician’s interpretation always take precedence.
Typical reference range
| Group | General range |
|---|---|
| Adults | Normal < ~15 umol/L |
Optimal-band note: Some practitioners aim for homocysteine under ~10 umol/L; elevations often respond to B12, folate, and B6. Soft target, not a diagnostic threshold.
Units: umol/L. Ranges vary by lab and assay — read yours against the range printed on your own report.
What high Homocysteine can mean
- B12/folate/B6 deficiency
- Reduced kidney function
- Hypothyroidism
- Genetics (MTHFR)
- Some medications
What low Homocysteine can mean
- Generally not clinically concerning