Causes of increased homocysteine. Homocysteine ​​- what kind of test it is and how to take it. Homocysteine ​​when planning pregnancy. Homocysteine ​​levels during pregnancy. Low and high homocysteine ​​during pregnancy. Decreased homocysteine: causes and consequences

The materials are published for informational purposes only and are not a prescription for treatment! We recommend that you consult a hematologist at your medical institution!

Homocysteine ​​is an important blood indicator. The level of this amino acid determines the condition of blood vessels and subsequent heart function. An increase in homocysteine ​​is caused by poor diet, bad habits and some diseases.

Increasingly, patients are being referred to donate blood for homocysteine ​​levels. What kind of analysis is this? This study indicates the concentration of sulfur-containing amino acids in the blood. By the amount of this substance, namely homocysteine, one can judge the health of the patient’s blood vessels and heart.

The effect of homocysteine ​​on blood vessels

Homocysteine ​​is called a derivative of protein metabolism. It is formed during metabolic processes from substances that enter the body along with animal food. What does a homocysteine ​​blood test show? If the study revealed a high level of this substance, the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis and venous thromboembolic complications increases significantly.

Important! Excess homocysteine ​​is dangerous for blood vessels, as it can damage their walls. In places of such damage, cholesterol clots form, which contribute to the formation of a blood clot.

Acute homocysteine ​​molecules damage the walls of blood vessels. In such places cholesterol easily “sticks”, clogging the lumen

Normal indicators

To find out your level of homocysteine ​​in the blood, you need to undergo a certain test. How to get tested? Typically, blood is drawn in the morning after 8-14 hours of fasting. Before the procedure, the patient is allowed to drink a small amount of still water. The day before the test, you should not eat fatty foods or exercise. After passing the test, the attending doctor must give a transcript of it.

The concentration of this amino acid in the blood depends on the age and gender of the patient. This indicator is measured in micromoles per liter of blood.

Note. It has been proven that the concentration of homocysteine ​​in the blood of boys is higher than that of girls.

Wonderful video webinar by Kristina Robertovna Davtyan “Homocysteine. The importance of determining homocysteine ​​in therapy and cardiology"

If homocysteine ​​is increased by at least 5 µmol/l, the likelihood of developing vascular atherosclerosis in women increases by 80%, in men - by 60%. Homocysteine ​​levels usually decrease during pregnancy; the value returns to normal a few days after birth.

Causes of increased homocysteine ​​levels

An increase in homocysteine ​​levels can have various causes. The most common:

• smoking, drinking alcohol;
• renal failure;
• severe psoriasis;
• lack of vitamin B;
• hypothyroidism;
• hormone-dependent diseases;
• physical inactivity;
• taking certain medications (immunosuppressive and anticonvulsants, oral contraceptives, etc.).

Important! Elderly people who have undergone surgery on the gastrointestinal tract are at risk.

Treatment of pathology

If the level of homocysteine ​​in the blood is elevated, first of all you need to reconsider your daily diet - avoid drinking coffee and alcohol, and eat right. But this method of treatment is suitable for patients with a slight increase in the amino acid in the blood, since it is difficult to reduce homocysteine ​​at high levels using diet alone. What to do if your homocysteine ​​level is higher than normal?

1. Quit smoking;
2. Increase physical activity on the body - move more, walk, play sports;
3. Limit the consumption of foods rich in methionine (cottage cheese, eggs, etc.) and caffeine-containing drinks;
4. There are foods high in vitamin B and omega-3 (seafood, fish, legumes, nuts, tomato juice, kefir, buckwheat, oats, beef liver, caviar, rice, millet, etc.);
5. Additionally, take brewer's yeast and fish oil.

The treatment regimen is individual in each individual case. Most often, the doctor prescribes folic acid, aspirin, heparin drugs and other medications. Signs of elevated homocysteine:

• weight gain;
• swelling;
• decrease in the volume of urine excreted.

Homocysteine ​​during pregnancy

A blood indicator such as homocysteine ​​is very important when planning pregnancy. On the eve of conceiving a child naturally or during IVF, you should definitely take a blood test. It is important that homocysteine ​​is not elevated. The optimal amino acid level is 10-11 µmol/l. An increase in homocysteine ​​can lead to impaired blood circulation in the placenta, premature birth and fetal death. Women with high homocysteine ​​give birth to children with low weight and reduced immunity.

Many pregnant women are told when having blood tests that their homocysteine ​​levels are low. This raises the question, what is it, and is it safe during pregnancy? Homocysteine ​​is a sulfur-containing amino acid that is formed during the processing of methionine. This substance enters the human body with products of animal origin. Therefore, you should know what to do if homocysteine ​​is below normal in people.

Amino acid norm

In humans, the homocysteine ​​parameter is constantly changing, since its indicator is influenced by age and gender. Men have more amino acids in their blood than women. With age, the value increases in both sexes to a maximum level. This is associated with changes in kidney function.

Normal amino acid levels:

1. In men – 5.4-16.2 µmol/l.
2. In women – 4.4-13.6 µmol/l.
3. In boys under 16 years of age – 7.0 µmol/l.
4. In girls of the same age – 6.0 µmol/l.

It is worth noting that in women after fifty years of age, the readings increase markedly. Obese people also have high levels.

During pregnancy, homocysteine ​​is usually low. Blood circulation in the placenta and intrauterine development of the fetus depends on this amino acid. A decrease in the indicator is observed in the first and second trimesters; in the last stage of pregnancy it stabilizes. Normal levels are usually restored 3-5 days after birth. However, too low an indicator can negatively affect conception and pregnancy.

Unlike methionine, homocysteine ​​does not come from food. It is contained in the body in minimal doses. Therefore, a sufficient supply of folic acid and B vitamins plays a critical role in amino acid metabolism.

Deviations from the norm

The human body cannot obtain homocysteine ​​through food, as it is formed through the synthesis of methionine. In order for this substance to be sufficient for decomposition, it is necessary to consume products of animal and plant origin.

These include:

• eggs;
• meat;
• milk;
• nuts;
• fish.

Therefore, it is important that the origin of the amino acid and its breakdown are in balance. Since the amount of homocysteine ​​is minimal, a slight deviation can affect health. A deviation from the norm in both directions of 0.5 µmol/ml is not considered a pathology.

Reduced amino acid levels are uncommon. It is observed in the first two trimesters in pregnant women and in people suffering from multiple sclerosis. This disease is chronic and has the ability to affect the back and brain.

Also, a decrease in the indicator may be due to congenital defects, for example, the inability to break down certain enzymes. However, in order to identify the pathological process, a thorough examination should be carried out by specialists.

If a woman’s homocysteine ​​has sharply decreased, then it is possible that she is pregnant. Therefore, you should check everything thoroughly and not worry, because a slight deviation during pregnancy is normal.

Other factors influencing the decrease in the indicator can be corrected through nutrition. To do this, you need to consume foods rich in methionine every day.

The greatest danger is an increase in homocysteine. When it accumulates in the body, damage to blood vessels occurs. This condition promotes the formation of plaques and blood clots, resulting in serious complications. Some of them can be fatal. Therefore, you should lower the amino acid in the blood, and this is not difficult to do: you need to include foods containing vitamin B in your diet.

All pregnant women are advised to monitor their homocysteine ​​levels. Deviation from the indicators can harm not only the expectant mother, but also her fetus. Timely adoption of measures will help prevent such a dangerous pathology as gestosis.

Amino acid analysis

To exclude complications when conceiving a child and during pregnancy, women are prescribed a blood test for homocysteine. This is especially true for women who have complications during pregnancy.

• Diabetes.
• Phlebeurysm.
• Postoperative period of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Suspicion of atherosclerosis.
• Cardiovascular diseases.

Every person should know their amino acid level, as deviation from the norm can lead to serious consequences. For analysis, blood is taken from a vein; during the study, its serum is needed.

For the results to be reliable, you need to prepare for the procedure:

1. Blood is donated on an empty stomach.
2. It is not recommended to eat food 8 hours before.
3. The day before, stop taking medications.
4. Eating fatty and spicy foods is strictly prohibited.
5. Exclude strong drinks: coffee, alcohol.
6. Limit smoking and physical activity.

The conclusion is ready in two days. Based on its results, appropriate treatment will be prescribed and nutritional recommendations will be given. To achieve optimal amino acid levels in the body, you should eat right, take vitamins and move as much as possible. This lifestyle will help prevent the development of serious complications in the blood vessels.

In the human body, metabolic processes never stop, during which various substances are formed. Each has specific properties and is responsible for the state of health. Any disturbances in the functioning of the body have explanations.

Thus, with an increase in homocysteine ​​in the blood, there is a risk of thrombosis, and premature aging develops. And this is just a small list of problems associated with impaired levels of this substance in the blood.

A blood test for homocysteine ​​is important for determining the risk of developing cardiovascular pathologies

Homocysteine ​​is a low molecular weight organic compound, a sulfur-containing acid, which is formed in the body under the influence of specific biochemical processes; it does not come with food.

The synthesis of homocysteine ​​is carried out through multi-stage metabolic processes of the amino acid methionine. It is an essential amino acid. The body itself cannot synthesize methionine, so it receives it from food of animal origin - eggs, cottage cheese and products made from it, meat.

With a sufficient concentration of folic acid and group B, which are direct participants in homocysteine ​​metabolism, it is again used and converted into methionine. An increase in the content of the substance is dangerous to health, so the question of how to reduce homocysteine ​​is especially relevant.

Increased homocysteine ​​in the bloodstream contributes to the cytotoxic effect. It is characterized by:

• cell death
• injury to blood vessels - the surface becomes loose in places, thereby attracting “harmful” cholesterol and calcium salts; these components are the best “building blocks” for the formation of dangerous atherosclerosis

It turns out that homocysteine ​​is an active participant in the progression of atherosclerosis; it is it that provokes the formation of vascular blockages.

Thus, in medicine, analysis to determine the indicators of this acid is undeniably important and is placed on the same level as other laboratory tests. Most often, the analysis is performed to identify the propensity and risk of manifestation in a person.

Changes in homocysteine ​​concentration - how and why

A condition in which there is an increase in homocysteine ​​levels is called hyperhomocysteinemia. Accumulating inside the blood vessels in large quantities, the amino acid, due to toxicity, begins to gradually corrode and injure their internal surfaces.

For protection, the body tries to cover the affected areas with deposits of calcium salts and cholesterol plaques. Thus, the lumen of the vessels narrows greatly, their blockage begins, and blood clots form.

Scientists have proven that an increase in homocysteine ​​by even 5 µmol/l increases the risk of development by 60% in men and by 80% in women.

There are several reliable factors for increasing homocysteine:

1. Lack of folic acid and B vitamins
2. Smoking
3. Frequent drinking
4. Frequent drinking of coffee and coffee-containing drinks
5. Problems with kidney function
6. Genetic predisposition
7. Lack of physical activity
8. Hormone-dependent pathologies in humans
9. Thyroid pathologies

• Alzheimer's disease
• senile dementia
• blockage of blood vessels
• and vessels
• cerebral atherosclerosis, etc.

When diagnosing hyperhomocysteinemia, the doctor implements an integrated approach to treatment, develops a special one for the patient with the obligatory inclusion of foods with B vitamins in the composition: cereals, vegetables, legumes, nuts, spinach, seafood.

Sometimes vitamins are administered intramuscularly. In addition, a course of blood thinning medications is prescribed. The patient requires exercise. He should limit the consumption of foods with methionine - eggs, meat, dairy.

Normal homocysteine ​​levels

During pregnancy, homocysteine ​​levels in the blood decrease

For a certain age group, their homocysteine ​​standards are established, and this is also influenced by the person’s gender:

1. For young children, the typical concentration is 5 µmol/l; gender does not matter here.
   During puberty, increased production of homocysteine ​​occurs, but in girls it is less compared to boys - 6 µmol/l and 7 µmol/l, respectively.
2. Adults tend to have higher amino acid levels due to decreased kidney activity. In women, the acid content increases faster, but the maximum still remains lower. In women, its volume ranges from 5 to 12 µmol/l, and in men it reaches 15 µmol/l.

It is important to note that during the period of bearing a child, the concentration of this acid decreases in a woman’s blood.

This process is slow, homocysteine ​​levels decrease only at the end of the first trimester. This is not a pathology, but a norm that helps improve blood flow in the placenta. After childbirth, everything falls into place in just 3–4 days.

Method for detecting homocysteine ​​content

A blood test for homocysteine ​​content is carried out not only for the risk of heart disease, but also for other possible pathological processes

Donating blood for the installation of homocysteine ​​makes it possible to find out not only the risk of cardiovascular pathologies, but also to prevent disorders during the period of bearing the unborn baby.

This laboratory analysis is also used for other situations - for example, when there are suggestions of an increase in the content of an amino acid and its participation in pathological processes. The reasons for determining the concentration of a substance are:

• Diabetes mellitus - increased acid levels cause retinopathy and nephropathy.
• Alzheimer's disease - elevated homocysteine ​​levels cause irreversible memory loss.
• Homocystinuria is a rare hereditary disease manifested by improper metabolism of this amino acid due to the incorrect structure of certain enzymes.
• Lack of folate and B vitamins in the diet, as well as excessive consumption of foods with methionine - especially meat dishes.
• Long-term use for the thyroid gland, as well as hypothyroidism - deterioration in the functioning of the organ.
• Psoriasis in an advanced stage.
• Kidney failure.
• Taking certain medications.
• Leading an unhealthy lifestyle: harmful addictions - smoking, alcohol addiction, drinking large quantities of coffee.

Tests must be taken on an empty stomach; at least 8 hours must have passed since the last meal, ideally 12. It is permissible to drink only unadulterated water.

If, after testing and laboratory tests, the diagnosis of increased homocysteine ​​concentration is confirmed, the doctor may additionally prescribe genetic testing.

It will allow you to identify one or even several genetic mutations. Typically, such an examination is carried out when someone in the family has had early development of atherosclerosis or is diagnosed with elevated homocysteine.

Features of blood donation and testing are:

• It is prohibited to drink alcoholic beverages, smoke, or eat spicy or fatty foods the day before the test.
• It is forbidden to engage in sports or experience emotional turmoil during the day, otherwise it is recommended to reschedule the tests.
• You need to stop eating 12 hours before the test.
• You are allowed to drink only plain water without impurities.

The results of the study will be ready in 1–2 days. If homocysteine ​​levels increase, do not panic. First, the doctor recommends normalizing your diet, changing your habits and adjusting your lifestyle, then getting tested again.

Only if the diagnosis is confirmed, medications are prescribed. To do this, a thorough diagnosis is carried out and suitable treatment is selected in accordance with the identified health problems.

When should you reduce homocysteine?

To prevent complications in the process of conceiving a child or during pregnancy, women are prescribed a blood test to determine the concentration of this amino acid. This especially applies to those who have difficulty bearing a fetus.

In addition, people with disorders such as:

• diabetes
• recovery period after gastrointestinal surgery
• suspicion of development
• cardiovascular diseases

It is recommended for every person to establish homocysteine ​​levels and reduce them at high levels under the supervision of a doctor, since any violations cause serious consequences.

To carry out the study, blood is taken from a vein; its serum is needed for examination.

What is the connection between pregnancy and homocysteine?

The cause of increased homocysteine ​​during pregnancy may be a lack of physical activity.

Any family planning a child wants to see him healthy, smart, and in a good mood. Before conception, an important examination is carried out and tests are taken. Such tests also include identifying the volume of homocysteine ​​in the blood, since it reflects the state of the entire hemostatic system.

If the acid concentration is high, the doctor must clarify the cause of the disorder. To do this, the following steps are implemented, the woman undergoes additional examinations:

1. Detection of blood levels of creatinine, thyroid-stimulating hormone, vitamin B12, folic acid.
2. The patient’s diet is clarified - perhaps it contains too many products with methionine.
3. The doctor asks whether the woman drinks strong coffee infrequently, whether she smokes, or drinks alcohol.
4. The doctor also clarifies whether the pregnant woman has enough daily physical activity or whether she should increase activity, for example, walk more in the fresh air.

At the end of the first trimester of pregnancy, a slight decrease in the concentration of the substance occurs - this is a normal physiological reaction to changes in the body. This is even a positive sign, because it indicates proper blood flow in the placenta.

Ways to reduce homocysteine

If you have problems with homocysteine ​​levels in your blood, doctors recommend eating less dark meat.

When a diagnosis of hyperhomocysteinemia is made, an integrated approach to therapy is implemented; foods with B vitamins and folic acid are added to the diet. Depending on the condition, the doctor prescribes special medications.

To establish the dose of B vitamins and folic acid, the homocysteine ​​content is first checked. Different people need different dosages of vitamins and medications; only a doctor can select the volume and control the process after the patient has passed tests.

Food has a great influence on homocysteine ​​production. Dark meat contains a large amount of methionine, which is a derivative of homocysteine ​​- this is the main factor why doctors do not advise eating too much meat. People who have trouble keeping track of their homocysteine ​​concentrations need to eat less foods with methionine, such as dark meat, chicken and turkey.

But it is recommended to replace it with fish and fish dishes, vegetables and fruits. A recent study of diet and homocysteine ​​found that eating a vegetarian diet reduced homocysteine ​​concentrations by 13% without taking any supplements or medications.

In the following video, see how the level of homocysteine ​​in the blood changes during vegetarianism:

Abuse of coffee drinking and smoking also provokes problems with normal homocysteine ​​levels. Frequent drinking of alcohol sharply increases the concentration of acid in the blood.

It becomes obvious that laboratory tests to determine homocysteine, despite their little popularity among ordinary people, are a very important method for diagnosing human health. It is simply irreplaceable in obstetrics, when planning the conception of a child and during the entire period of gestation - when the test is implemented to prevent deviations in the health of the unborn baby and preserve the health of the mother.

Homocysteine ​​levels allow doctors to determine the risk of damage. These diseases are the main cause of premature death even at a young age.

A blood test for homocysteine ​​concentration is no different from other biochemical tests. This is an important stage in the diagnosis of many diseases, and it is often carried out for the prevention of lesions in order to promptly diagnose an incipient disease and begin its treatment in the first stages, avoiding complications.

Determination method Chemiluminescent immunoassay on microparticles.

Material under study Plasma (heparin)

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Amino acid, an intermediate product formed during the metabolism of the amino acid methionine, associated with the metabolism of sulfur - the “beauty mineral”.

Homocysteine ​​is formed in the body (it is not found in food) during the metabolism of the essential amino acid methionine. Animal products are rich in it, especially meat, dairy products (especially cottage cheese), and eggs. Homocysteine ​​in plasma is found predominantly in protein-bound form. Total plasma homocysteine ​​is the sum of free and bound homocysteine. Most of it undergoes reverse methylation to form methionine. Alternatively, it may undergo irreversible conversion to cysteine ​​and glutathione.

Vitamins B12, B6, and folic acid participate in the metabolism of homocysteine. With age, the level of homocysteine ​​in the blood increases. Gender differences are also observed: until approximately 50 years of age, the homocysteine ​​content in the plasma of men is slightly higher than that of women.

In case of disturbances in the metabolism of homocysteine ​​due to genetic or functional defects in enzymes involved in metabolic reactions, in the absence of essential vitamins, homocysteine ​​accumulates inside cells in increased quantities and enters the extracellular space, and then into the plasma.

Elevated concentrations of homocysteine ​​are cytotoxic. Homocysteine ​​can damage the walls of blood vessels, making their surface loose. Cholesterol and calcium are deposited on the damaged surface, forming an atherosclerotic plaque. Elevated homocysteine ​​levels increase thrombus formation. An increase in blood homocysteine ​​levels by 5 µmol/l leads to an increase in the risk of atherosclerotic vascular damage by 80% in women and 60% in men. The most well-known forms of the damaging effects of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC) are a consequence of homocysteine-mediated oxidative stress. People with elevated homocysteine ​​levels have an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease and senile dementia. When HHC and diabetes mellitus are combined, vascular complications more often occur: peripheral vascular diseases, nephropathy, retinopathy, etc.

During pregnancy, elevated homocysteine ​​levels can cause complications such as spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia and eclampsia, and venous thrombolism.

Certain drugs (eg, penicillamine, cyclosporine, methotrexate, carbamazepine, phenytoin, 6-azauridine, nitrous oxide), certain diseases (hypothyroidism, hyperproliferative diseases, renal failure), lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol, large amounts of coffee ) may increase homocysteine ​​levels. The mechanism of action of these factors is due to either direct or indirect antagonism with enzymes or cofactors involved in homocysteine ​​metabolism. The most common cause of HHC is folic acid deficiency. A lack of vitamin B12, even with adequate folic acid intake, can also lead to homocysteine ​​accumulation. It should be noted that deficiency of both folic acid and vitamin B12 may, independently of homocysteine, increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

A significant increase in total homocysteine ​​levels is observed in patients with homocystinuria. This is a rare genetic disease associated with a violation of the enzymatic processes of homocysteine ​​metabolism. Patients with homocystinuria are characterized by mental retardation, early atherosclerosis, and arterial and venous thromboembolism.

Some other less severe genetic diseases may also be accompanied by a slight increase in total homocysteine ​​in the blood. Determination of homocysteine ​​in plasma is currently used to assess the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, along with determining the level of cholesterol, high and low density lipoproteins, fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein using a sensitive method.

Research conducted in recent years shows that homocysteine ​​is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. According to clinical studies, an increase in plasma homocysteine ​​concentration by 5 µmol/l increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and overall mortality by 1.3 - 1.7 times. Reducing elevated plasma homocysteine ​​levels may prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular complications. If an elevated homocysteine ​​level is detected, it is recommended to study in parallel the concentrations of creatinine, TSH, folic acid, and vitamin B12 to determine the possible cause of HHC and carry out adequate treatment.

Homocysteine ​​- what is it? Few people know about this. It often happens that people, having heard this term from their attending physician, begin to panic prematurely. Normally, homocysteine ​​is present in small quantities in the human body, its amount is approximately 10 µmol/l. The level of the substance may vary depending on age and lifestyle.

Formation of homocysteine ​​in the body

This substance does not enter the body through food, but is produced independently from the essential amino acid methionine. Methionine is a structural element that enters the body with food. It is found in dairy and meat products.

Homocysteine ​​is formed due to the biosynthesis of methionine under the influence of ATP and various enzymes. The sequence of biochemical processes in the body contributes to the sufficient production of homocysteine, the level of which does not pose a threat to health.

High homocysteine ​​affects the functioning of the cardiovascular system and can cause atherosclerosis and other diseases.

Homocysteine ​​levels during pregnancy planning

It is necessary to diagnose homocysteine ​​in the blood when planning pregnancy. This will help avoid possible complications with pregnancy and eliminate the likelihood of developmental defects in the fetus. Regular biochemical blood tests will help control homocysteine.

When planning a pregnancy, it is much easier to undergo a therapeutic course of treatment without harming the child. In addition, a healthy mother is much more likely to carry and give birth to a healthy baby.

At the border between the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, homocysteine ​​levels may decrease slightly, which ensures improved blood circulation and sufficient oxygen supply to the placenta.

During pregnancy, the amount of a component such as homocysteine ​​in the blood can vary significantly. The normal level during pregnancy ranges from 4.6 to 12.4 µmol/l. Deviation from these indicators requires immediate medical intervention.

Reduced homocysteine ​​levels

In the early stages of pregnancy, the concentration of homocysteine ​​in the blood may decrease slightly. This change is a consequence of a restructuring in the functioning of many body systems associated with the onset of pregnancy.

Low homocysteine ​​during pregnancy can cause poor health. It is important to regularly monitor it in case of complications during a second pregnancy or a disease such as thrombophilia.

Lack of homocysteine ​​is the same pathology as exceeding its norm, and requires treatment after the first trimester of pregnancy. Otherwise, blood clotting may be impaired.

What affects homocysteine ​​levels?

Homocysteine ​​levels can be influenced by many factors (alcohol, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, drinking large quantities of coffee, taking certain medications, including those containing methionine). All of them can contribute to the formation of excess homocysteine ​​in the blood.

What does it mean? Elevated homocysteine ​​levels negatively affect the condition of the internal walls of blood vessels. This substance is toxic; when in excess in the blood, it promotes the formation of deposits inside the blood vessels, and, accordingly, their blockage. Due to the formation of thrombosis, hyperhomocysteinemia develops.

Another reason for increased homocysteine ​​is a lack of vitamins (in particular folic acid and B vitamins) and the presence of diseases such as diabetes, psoriasis, and thyroid disorders.

Consequences of elevated homocysteine ​​levels

Hyperhomocysteinemia affects a woman's ability to bear a child. An excess of this substance can lead to infertility (due to the development of defects during the implantation of a fertilized egg into the uterine wall) or to spontaneous premature termination of pregnancy.

When homocysteine ​​is elevated in the later stages, fetoplacental insufficiency (placental dysfunction) may develop, resulting in fetal hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and death. A newborn with such diagnoses has minimal chances of life, since not a single body system is able to fully function.

Symptoms of hyperhomocysteinemia

Changes in homocysteine ​​levels in pregnant women are also associated with the restructuring of the body and its subsequent preparation for labor. This increases blood clotting to prevent large blood losses during childbirth.

When homocysteine ​​is elevated, the blood clots faster, and in women with thrombophilia, blood clots may form in the vessels. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the substance at normal levels to prevent blockage of blood vessels and the development of hypoxia in the fetus.

The most common symptom of high homocysteine ​​levels is leg pain. Cramps may occur, especially often at night, and a feeling of fullness in the calf muscle.

Diagnosis of homocysteine ​​levels

Homocysteine ​​during pregnancy is diagnosed by a biochemical test of blood taken from a vein. Before carrying out the analysis, it is worth observing some points: do not drink alcohol, avoid physical activity and follow a diet.

On the day of the test, you are prohibited from eating before taking blood. Blood diagnostics will be carried out within two days, after which the results can be considered reliable.

There is another diagnostic method, when before blood sampling a woman takes food containing methionine. After determining an elevated level of a substance, it is necessary to conduct a test, the result of which will refute or confirm the onset of the development of obstetric or cardiovascular diseases.

Treatment of hyperhomocysteinemia

The course of treatment should be prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the results of a biochemical blood test and the possible reasons due to which hyperhomocysteinemia developed. The initial method of normalizing homocysteine ​​levels is intramuscular administration of B vitamins.

There are special adapted vitamin preparations for pregnant women that can stabilize and normalize homocysteine. What could it be? Since the most common cause is a lack of vitamins during pregnancy, therefore, for treatment, vitamin complexes containing folic acid and B vitamins are prescribed.

In addition to vitamin preparations, anticoagulants may be prescribed. They will help prevent the formation of blood clots and reduce blood clotting.

Hyperhomocysteinemia, if diagnosed in a timely manner, is easily treated and does not harm the health of the fetus and mother. While neglect of treatment can provoke the development of infertility and miscarriage.