Homocysteine levels can be influenced by genetics, B vitamin deficiencies, medical conditions, and medications. High levels are associated with increased risk of blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes. Women’s levels can be affected by changing hormone levels.
Homocysteine levels in the body can be affected by many different factors, which can be very important, as increased levels are known to be associated with an increased risk of blood clots, heart attacks and strokes. Some genetic disorders can cause problems with the breakdown of homocysteine, causing levels to rise. People who don’t get enough of some B vitamins may also have elevated levels. Several medical conditions, including thyroid and kidney disease, can affect how much amino acids you have, as can some types of medications. In women, age is often a factor, mainly because changing hormone levels can cause changes in homocysteine levels.
People with genetic disorders that cause the mediator molecules that help break down homocysteine to malfunction or are missing generally have elevated levels. Homocystinuria, a serious condition typically diagnosed in childhood in which mediator molecules are not present, causes a myriad of problems related to extremely high levels of homocysteine in the blood. A milder condition is hyperhomocysteinemia, in which mediator molecules are present but not functioning at optimal levels.
B vitamins also play an important role in a person’s homocysteine levels. Folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 are all essential for the breakdown of homocysteine and a lack of them causes levels to rise. Those who don’t get enough of these vitamins in their diets may need to take a supplement or eat more foods that contain them to bring their homocysteine levels back to normal.
Some medical problems can lead to an increase in homocysteine levels. Decreased production of thyroid hormones can cause the problem, as can kidney disease. Psoriasis can also be the cause.
The drugs can also cause fluctuations in homocysteine levels in a person’s body. Taking birth control pills can help lower levels, as they increase estrogen levels, which appear to affect homocysteine. Patients taking medications for epilepsy may have increased amounts of homocysteine. Another drug that can raise levels is methotrexate.
Women can experience a change in homocysteine levels throughout their lives due to changes in estrogen levels. Pregnant women often find their levels drop, as they have more estrogen than usual. Older women who have gone through menopause, when estrogen levels naturally decline, usually see their homocysteine rise. Taking estrogen supplements can help reduce them.
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