Beginning Monday, February 5, 2001, the Clinical Chemistry laboratory of the Department of Pathology will offer plasma homocysteine analysis. Plasma homocysteine is a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Analytical Time: Performed Tuesday and Thursday afternoons; noon cutoff

Specimen Requirements:

Adults: 10 ml sodium heparin tube (green top)

Peds: Two 0.6 ml heparin microtainer (Lithium or sodium)

Collection Requirements: Fasting specimen preferred

Transportation Requirements: On ice, immediately after collection

NOTE: Phlebotomy team will collect specimens; however, patient care area will need to deliver on ice to Specimen Control, 6240 RCP.

Reference Range: 5.0 – 15.0 umol/L

Patient Charge: $92.25 (less than current charge for mailout test)

Questions can be directed to Ronald Feld at 6-1759.


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2. Brattstrom L, et al. Homocysteine and cardiovascular disease: cause or effect? Am J Clin Nutr 2000;72(2):315-23.

3. Gerhard GT, et al. Homocysteine and atherosclerosis. Curr Opin Lipdol 1999;10(5):417-28.

4. Nygard O. et al. Total homocysteine and cardiovascular disease. J Intern Med 1999;246(5):425-54.

5. Pasceri V, et al. Homocysteine and coronary heart disease: a review of the current evidence. Semin Interventional Cardiol 1999;4(3):121-8.

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8. Wu AH, et al. Multicenter analytical evaluation of an automated immunoassay for total plasma homocysteine. Ann Clin Lab Sci 2000;30(2):185-90.