Homocysteine (plasma)

Alternative names, keywords

Samples required

EDTA blood (purple cap/ yellow cap ring, 4 mL tube). Smaller tubes are available for paediatric samples.

Fasting sample preferred.

Plasma must be separated from cells within four hours of sampling.

Test indications

Mild increases are a treatable cause of thrombosis and premature vascular disease, very large increases also cause ocular and neurological abnormalities.

Reference range

5 - 15 µmol/L (fasting)
Paediatric ranges:

0 - 10 years     3.3 - 8.3 µmol/L
11 - 15 years     4.7 - 10.3 µmol/L
16 - 18 years     4.7 - 11.3 µmol/L

Turnaround time

14 days

Enquiries

Biochemistry (Special Chemistry)