What causes hyperhomocysteinemia?
The main cause of hyperhomocysteinemia is a dysfunction of enzymes and cofactors associated with the process of homocysteine biosynthesis. Other causes include excessive methionine intake, certain diseases and side effects of some drugs.
What is the definition of hyperhomocysteinemia?
Homocysteine is an amino acid produced when proteins are broken down. A high homocysteine level, also called hyperhomocysteinemia, can contribute to arterial damage and blood clots in your blood vessels. High homocysteine levels usually indicate a deficiency in vitamin B-12 or folate.
What deficiency is caused due to vitamin B?
A vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to disruption in the nervous system and the circulatory system. Vitamin B12 deficiencies can lead to megaloblastic anemia, a condition where the bone marrow produces large abnormally shaped red blood cells that do not function properly.
What is the relationship between homocysteine and B vitamins?
It is known that serum homocysteine is regulated by Vitamin B12 and folic acid, and supplementation with these vitamins decreases serum homocysteine levels. It is also known that folate, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6 and riboflavin are involved in the metabolism of an S-containing amino acid, homocysteine.
How serious is hyperhomocysteinemia?
High homocysteine levels may mean you have a vitamin deficiency. Without treatment, elevated homocysteine increases your risks for dementia, heart disease and stroke.
What happens if homocysteine is low?
Summary. Typically, people have low levels of homocysteine in their blood. An elevated level could indicate a deficiency in certain vitamins or folate and may increase a person’s risk of developing cardiovascular disease, cancer, and several other conditions.
How does folate deficiency contribute to hyperhomocysteinemia?
Folate deficiency also results in elevated levels of homocysteine because of reduced activity of the methionine synthase–catalyzed reaction. Total homocysteine concentration, which comprises the sum of all homocysteine species in plasma/serum, including free and protein-bound forms, can be measured in plasma or serum.
How do you know if you have a vitamin B deficiency?
Constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or gas. Nerve problems like numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, and problems walking. Vision loss. Mental problems like depression, memory loss, or behavioral changes.
What are the signs of B12 deficiency?
Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency
- a pale yellow tinge to your skin.
- a sore and red tongue (glossitis)
- mouth ulcers.
- pins and needles (paraesthesia)
- changes in the way that you walk and move around.
- disturbed vision.
- irritability.
- depression.
Does vitamin B12 reduce homocysteine?
Supplementation with vitamin B12 decreases homocysteine and methylmalonic acid but also serum folate in patients with end-stage renal disease. Metabolism.
Does vitamin B12 lower homocysteine?
Supplementation with vitamins B9, B12, and B6 appears to decrease the homocysteine levels and potentially contributes to stroke prevention although direct evidence is lacking [12, 13]. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be detected in 10–40% of the general population and may contribute to stroke and cognitive decline [14, 15].
Can hyperhomocysteinemia be cured?
If your homocysteine level is too high, you may not be getting enough B vitamins. Most people who have a high homocysteine level don’t get enough folate (also called folic acid), vitamin B6, or vitamin B12 in their diet. Replacing these vitamins often helps return the homocysteine level to normal.
Which is the most common cause of hyperhomocysteinemia?
Hyperhomocysteinemia is most commonly caused by folate deficiency exacerbated by vitamin B12 or vitamin B 6 deficiencies.
What kind of vitamins can you take for hyperhomocysteinemia?
Because elevated plasma homocysteine levels are associated with low levels of the enzymatic cofactors folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12, vitamin supplementation is an obvious therapeutic consideration for treating hyperhomocysteinemia.
What are the causes of vitamin B deficiency?
Here’s a roundup of 4 of the top causes of vitamin B deficiency: a non-balanced diet, excessive alcohol consumption, various medications (such as proton-pump inhibitors, or PPIs), and gut malabsorption conditions. (1) A NON-BALANCED DIET
When to get a homocysteine test for hyperhomocysteinemia?
Hyperhomocysteinemia itself usually does not cause any symptoms in adults, though it can in children. Symptoms can also vary from one person to the next and be subtle. Doctors may order a homocysteine test if they suspect you have a vitamin deficiency, and if you begin exhibiting symptoms of a vitamin deficiency.