Homocysteine is an amino acid that is produced in the body during the metabolism of methionine. High levels of homocysteine have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and other health problems. Checking homocysteine levels can be done through a simple blood test.
There are a number of reasons why you may want to check your homocysteine levels. If you have a family history of heart disease or stroke, or if you have any of the following risk factors, you may want to talk to your doctor about getting your homocysteine levels checked: