Biomarkers · Chemical
Homocyst(e)ine
A homocysteine test measures the amount of homocysteine in a sample of your blood. Homocysteine is an amino acid.
Homocysteine Test, MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
- Primary unit
- umol/L
- LOINC codes
- 13965-9
- Tests that measure Homocyst(e)ine
- Quest Diagnostics 8, Labcorp 2
Ranges
Each lab publishes a reference range for the population groups it tests, usually the middle 95% of results. These intervals describe that population, not an optimal or healthy target. How ranges differ
Labcorp, Homocyst(e)ine 706994
| Age | Male (µmol/L) | Female (µmol/L) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 6 m | 0.0–11.5 | 0.0–11.5 |
| 7 m to 1 y | 0.0–10.0 | 0.0–10.0 |
| 2 to 12 y | 0.0–9.0 | 0.0–9.0 |
| 13 to 17 y | 0.0–11.0 | 0.0–11.0 |
| 18 to 60 y | 0.0–14.5 | 0.0–14.5 |
| 61 to 70 y | 0.0–17.2 | 0.0–17.2 |
| 71 to 80 y | 0.0–19.2 | 0.0–19.2 |
| >80 y | 0.0–21.3 | 0.0–21.3 |
Quest Diagnostics, Homocysteine 31789
| 0-1 years | Not Established | Not Established |
|---|---|---|
| 15-17 years | ≤11.3 | ≤10.2 |
| >49 years | ≤15.2 | ≤13.4 |
| 30-49 years | ≤13.5 | ≤11.0 |
| 18-29 years | ≤12.9 | ≤10.9 |
| 10-14 years | ≤9.7 | ≤8.4 |
| 2-9 years | ≤7.6 | ≤7.6 |
| Age | Male (umol/L) | Female (umol/L) |
Quest Diagnostics, Cardio IQ® Homocysteine 91733
| Age | Male (umol/L) | Female (umol/L) |
|---|---|---|
| 0-1 years | Not Established | Not Established |
| 2-9 years | ≤7.6 | ≤7.6 |
| 10-14 years | ≤9.7 | ≤8.4 |
| 15-17 years | ≤11.3 | ≤10.2 |
| 18-29 years | ≤12.9 | ≤10.9 |
| 30-49 years | ≤13.5 | ≤11.0 |
| >49 years | ≤15.2 | ≤13.4 |
Tests
Check the catalog code, specimen, method and preparation for every test that measures Homocyst(e)ine. Select up to five tests to compare them side by side.
Quest Diagnostics 8 tests
Single-analyte tests
Cardio IQ® Homocysteine 91733
Serum · Fasting not stated
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Enzymatic
- Collection
- Red-top tubes (no gel): Place the specimen in a refrigerator or ice bath for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Transfer the serum to a transport tube. Barrier gel separator tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Do not place barrier tubes in an ice bath as freezing may prevent the barrier gel from adequately separating serum from cells. Transfer serum to a transport tube.
Homocysteine 31789
Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Set up: Daily (a.m. and p.m.); Report available: 2 days
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Enzymatic
- Collection
- Red-top tubes (no gel): Place the specimen in the refrigerator or ice bath for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation. Transfer the serum to a plastic specimen transport tube. Mark the specimen type as serum on the transport tube. Barrier gel separator tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator for 30 minutes after collection. Do not place barrier tubes in an ice bath as freezing may prevent the barrier gel from adequately separating from cells. Centrifuge specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation, ensuring that the barrier gel completely separates serum from cells. EDTA or heparin tubes: Place the specimen in the refrigerator or ice bath after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible. Transfer the plasma to a plastic specimen transport container. Mark the specimen type as plasma on the transport tube. Do not submit whole blood. Note: It is very important to centrifuge and separate serum or plasma from red blood cells as soon as possible to avoid falsely elevated results.
Panels that include this biomarker
Methylmalonic Acid and Homocysteine 30517
2 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Methylmalonic Acid: Mass Spectrometry (MS) • Homocysteine: Enzymatic
- Collection
- Red-top tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator or ice bath for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Transfer the serum to a transport tube. Barrier gel separator tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Do not place barrier tubes in an ice bath as freezing may prevent the barrier gel from adequately separating serum from cells. Heparin tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator or ice bath until the specimen can be centrifuged. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible and transfer the plasma to a transport tube.
- Reference notes
- Methylmalonic Acid ≤30 days | 87-580 nmol/L 31 days-11 months | 62-377 nmol/L 12-23 months | 55-347 nmol/L 2-59 years | 55-335 nmol/L 60-79 years | 69-390 nmol/L ≥80 years | 85-423 nmol/L Homocysteine Age | Male (umol/L) | Female (umol/L) 0-1 years | Not Established | Not Established 2-9 years | ≤7.6 | ≤7.6 10-14 years | ≤9.7 | ≤8.4 15-17 years | ≤11.3 | ≤10.2 18-29 years | ≤12.9 | ≤10.9 30-49 years | ≤13.5 | ≤11.0 >49 years | ≤15.2 | ≤13.4
Methylmalonic Acid and Homocysteine 91003
2 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Methylmalonic Acid: Mass Spectrometry (MS) • Homocysteine: Enzymatic
- Collection
- Red-top tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator or ice bath for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Transfer the serum to a plastic screw-capped vial. Barrier gel separator tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Do not place barrier tubes in an ice bath as freezing may prevent the barrier gel from adequately separating serum from cells. Heparin tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator or ice bath until the specimen can be centrifuged. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible and transfer the plasma to a plastic screw-capped vial.
- Reference notes
- Methylmalonic Acid ≤30 days | 87-580 nmol/L 31 days-11 months | 62-377 nmol/L 12-23 months | 55-347 nmol/L 2-59 years | 55-335 nmol/L 60-79 years | 69-390 nmol/L ≥80 years | 85-423 nmol/L Homocysteine Age | Male (umol/L) | Female (umol/L) 0-1 years | Not Established | Not Established 2-9 years | ≤7.6 | ≤7.6 10-14 years | ≤9.7 | ≤8.4 15-17 years | ≤11.3 | ≤10.2 18-29 years | ≤12.9 | ≤10.9 30-49 years | ≤13.5 | ≤11.0 >49 years | ≤15.2 | ≤13.4
Cognitive Assessment Panel with Reflex to T4 Free 18634
8 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Spectrophotometry (SP) • Immunoturbidimetric • Enzymatic • Mass Spectrometry (MS) • Electronic Cell Sizing/Counting/Cytometry/Microscopy • Immunoassay (IA)
- Preparation
- Fasting is preferred Additional Considerations for Patient Preparation: Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: Administration of STRENSIQ may interfere in certain assays and may falsely elevate values. For patients receiving STRENSIQ, consideration should be given to using alternate methods. TSH: Specimen collection after fluorescein dye angiography should be delayed for at least 3 days. For patients on hemodialysis, specimen collection should be delayed for 2 weeks after angiography. According to the assay manufacturer Siemens: samples containing fluorescein can produce falsely depressed values. Folate: Dietary supplements containing biotin may interfere in assays and may skew analyte results to be either falsely high or falsely low. For patients receiving the recommended daily doses of biotin, draw samples at least 8 hours following the last biotin supplementation. For patients on mega-doses of biotin supplements, draw samples at least 72 hours following the last biotin supplementation.
- Collection
- Serum for Homocysteine: Red-top tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator or ice bath for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Transfer the serum to a plastic screw-capped vial. Barrier gel separator tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Do not place barrier tubes in an ice bath as freezing may prevent the barrier gel from adequately separating serum from cells. Serum for other tests, 3 SSTs: Collect using standard venipuncture techniques. Separate from clot as soon as possible after visible clot formation, usually 30 minutes after collection. Whole blood, 1 EDTA: Maintain specimen at room temperature. Do not refrigerate. If multiple draw, collect lavender-top tube last. Traumatic venipuncture tap can introduce thromboplastin and trap white blood cells and platelets. Refrigeration can precipitate fibrin and trap white blood cells and platelets.
- Reference notes
- See Laboratory Report
Venous Thrombosis Hypercoag Panel w/Reflex, Consultation (Warfarin Patient) 19655
10 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- See individual tests
- Collection
- Whole blood sample is for the Factor V Mutation Analysis and Prothrombin (Factor II) Mutation Analysis. Serum sample is for the Homocysteine. Red-top tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator or ice bath for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Transfer the serum to a plastic screw-capped vial. Barrier gel separator tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Do not place barrier tubes in an ice bath as freezing may prevent the barrier gel from adequately separating serum from cells. Platelet-poor plasma is for the remaining tests. Platelet-poor plasma: Please submit a separate, frozen vial for each special coagulation assay ordered. Draw blood in a light blue-top tube containing 3.2% sodium citrate, mix gently by inverting 3-4 times. Centrifuge 15 minutes at 1500 g within one hour of collection. Using a plastic pipette, remove plasma, taking care to avoid the WBC/platelet buffy layer and place into a plastic vial. Centrifuge a second time and transfer platelet-poor plasma into a new plastic vial(s). Freeze immediately and transport on dry ice. Note: Storage of whole blood at refrigerated temperatures prior to processing may lead to cryoprecipitate formation and falsely low Factor VIII and von Willebrand Factor studies.
- Reference notes
- See Laboratory Report
Venous Thrombosis Hypercoagulability Panel with Reflex and Consultation 19656
12 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- See individual tests
- Collection
- Whole blood sample is for the Factor V Mutation Analysis and Prothrombin (Factor II) Mutation Analysis. Serum sample is for the Homocysteine. Red-top tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator or ice bath for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Transfer the serum to a plastic screw-capped vial. Barrier gel separator tubes: Place the specimen in a refrigerator for 30 minutes after collection. Centrifuge the specimen as soon as possible after complete clot formation has taken place. Do not place barrier tubes in an ice bath as freezing may prevent the barrier gel from adequately separating serum from cells. Platelet-poor plasma is for the remaining tests. Platelet-poor plasma: Centrifuge light blue-top tube 15 minutes at approximately 1500 g within 60 minutes of collection using a plastic pipette, remove plasma, taking care to avoid the WBC/platelet buffy layer and place into a plastic vial. Centrifuge a second time and transfer platelet-poor plasma into six new plastic vials. Plasma must be free of platelets (<10,000/mcL). Freeze immediately and ship on dry ice. Note: Storage of whole blood at refrigerated temperatures prior to processing may lead to cryoprecipitate formation and falsely low Factor VIII and von Willebrand Factor studies.
- Reference notes
- See Laboratory Report
Labcorp 2 tests
Single-analyte tests
Homocyst(e)ine 706994
Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 1 - 2 days
Labcorp catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Enzymatic
- Preparation
- A fasting specimen is preferred to establish baseline values or monitor treatment.
- Collection
- Plasma: It is important to centrifuge blood samples for plasma collection immediately after collection to separate the plasma from the blood cells. If immediate centrifugation is not possible, collected blood specimens should be kept on ice and centrifuged within an hour. Serum: Allow 45 minutes for serum to clot and centrifuge to separate serum from cells immediately thereafter.
Panels that include this biomarker
Thrombotic Risk, Congenital (Extended) 117185
6 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 3 - 7 days
Labcorp catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- See individual tests.
- Preparation
- Do not draw from an arm with a heparin lock or heparinized catheter.
- Collection
- Citrated plasma samples should be collected by double centrifugation. Blood should be collected in a blue-top tube containing 3.2% buffered sodium citrate.1 Evacuated collection tubes must be filled to completion to ensure a proper blood to anticoagulant ratio.2,3 The sample should be mixed immediately by gentle inversion at least six times to ensure adequate mixing of the anti-coagulant with the blood. A discard tube is not required prior to collection of coagulation samples except when using a winged blood collection device (i.e., "butterfly"), in which case a discard tube should be used.4,5 When non-citrate tubes are collected for other tests, collect sterile and nonadditive (red-top) tubes prior to citrate (blue-top) tubes. Any tube containing an alternate anticoagulant should be collected after the blue-top tube. Gel-barrier tubes and serum tubes with clot initiators should also be collected after the citrate tubes. Centrifuge for 10 minutes and carefully remove 2/3 of the plasma using a plastic transfer pipette, being careful not to disturb the cells. Deliver to a plastic transport tube, cap and recentifuge for 10 minutes. Use a second plastic pipette to remove plasma, staying clear of the platelets at the bottom of the tube. Transfer the plasma into a Labcorp PP transpak frozen purple tube with screw cap (Labcorp No. 49482). Freeze immediately and maintain frozen until tested. To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested. It is important to centrifuge blood samples for plasma collection immediately after collection to separate the plasma from the blood cells. If immediate centrifugation is not possible, collected blood specimens should be kept on ice and centrifuged within an hour. Other plasma : It is important to centrifuge blood samples for plasma collection immediately after collection to separate the plasma from the blood cells. If immediate centrifugation is not possible, collected blood specimens should be kept on ice and centrifuged within an hour. Serum: Sample should be centrifuged as soon as possible after collection to avoid false elevation of homocysteine and transported in a completely separated gel barrier-tube (SST) or transfer tube. Please print and use the Volume Guide for Coagulation Testing to ensure proper draw volume.
0 of 5 tests selected
Pick one moreGoals and conditions
We link Homocyst(e)ine to these goals and conditions from named guidelines and studies.
Vitamin B12 and folateGoal, companion marker
The BSH guideline lists plasma total homocysteine as a supplementary test.
Sources
2 tests: codes, specimens, methods, preparation and reference intervals.
Quest Diagnostics test catalog
8 tests: codes, specimens, methods, preparation and reference intervals.
Clinical guideline: Vitamin B12 and folate (companion)
MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
The description at the top of this page.
LOINC 13965-9
Regenstrief Institute codes that identify the same result across labs.
Search ClinicalTrials.gov for Homocyst(e)ine
Registered studies that measure Homocyst(e)ine, on the U.S. National Library of Medicine registry.
Verify these ranges and sources
We compile this page from named laboratory catalogs, guidelines and studies. Labs calculate reference intervals from the people they test, for one assay method and one population group, so an interval describes that population rather than an optimal target.
Interpret your own results with a licensed clinician, or track your lab history and health goals in Aumnivida.
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