Hello
Has anyone ever had a homocysteine results below the reference range? My results were <5, with the normal range as 5-15. I really wasn’t expecting that after being diagnosed with PA. Does anyone know if it’s unusual for PA to exist with below range homocysteine?
There seems to be very little mainstream research interest in low homocysteine levels. I found this summary from the healthmatters.io site to be pretty accurate, although what they call "key opinion leaders" I would call "alternative health practitioners":
"The clinical implications associated with low homocysteine levels are not well represented in literature. Furthermore, there is no consensus on what constitutes a ‘low level’ or if it is something that needs correcting.
However, because Hcy is used to make glutathione and is remethylated to maintain methionine levels, the theoretical importance of low Hcy exists. Without Hcy, glutathione production is compromised. Excessive oxidative stress may accelerate the transsulfuration pathway toward glutathione production, which can lower Hcy. A SNP in the CBS enzyme accelerates homocysteine transsulfuration, which may result in a low Hcy.
Many ‘methylation experts’ and key opinion leaders teach that low plasma homocysteine leads to disease and can be cancer-producing; therefore it should be corrected. Many recommend protein and sulfur-containing foods, as well as evaluating for excessive oxidative stress and decreasing methyl support. There is currently no literature that has looked at correcting low plasma homocysteine.
Literature is evolving to include low Hcy implications; however, the only literature-based clinical correlation currently available is an association with peripheral neuropathy. There are a few animal studies looking for implications, physiologic impacts, and treatment strategies to correct hypohomocysteinemia, but currently no human studies exist."
from healthmatters.io/understand...
I could only find these two papers:
"Hypohomocysteinemia may increases the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease: A nationwide population-based prospective cohort study" : sciencedirect.com/science/a...
"Hypohomocysteinemia: A Potentially Treatable Cause of Peripheral Neuropathology?" : sciencedirect.com/science/a...
High Homocysteine can be caused by B12 deficiency but it has other possible causes too, so it's not very specific. I've not heard or read about low homocysteine seen with PA, in general I would expect it be either normal or raised, so thats curious.
That’s very interesting indeed - Peripheral neuropathy is the issue I am struggling to address.
I just googled oxidative stress and found that if it is prolonged……
“the changes spread and self-sustain with the permanent activation of the autoimmune response and the accumulation of local proinflammatory factors, for example: TNF-alpha, proteases, kinases. These factors favor tissue necrosis and accelerate tissue growth with the appearance of new modified cells that maintain the immune response“
Might explain one of the reasons why I have 3 autoimmune conditions.
I eat so much meat and dairy, which should more than cover protein requirements so I’d better start looking for sulphur containing foods!
"better start looking for sulphur containing foods"
Here's a few suggestions
broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, cabbage, rocket, asparagus, radish, onions, garlic
watercress, dried apricots, figs, sultanas, avocado, turkey, beef, eggs
I would say that it would depend on how long you had had B-12 deficiency .. If you were diagnosed early on , the deficiency would not have had the time to wreak its damage. The longer you have the deficiency , the higher the homocysteine level becomes. Everyone has a slightly different level which is their “normal” . I would say that you were diagnosed early on , before the damage set in , and that you have a naturally low homocysteine level,
Thanks Wedgewood, that makes sense. I think I probably have been diagnosed early - I’ve been alert to symptoms because it runs in my family.
Lower levels of homocysteine I’d always read were something to aim for as it’s usually a sign of less risk of coronary heart disease and many other diseases, and indeed levels are usually high in thyroid disease and B12 deficiency.
The BMJ research document recommends testing MMA rather than homocysteine levels for B12D/PA, because levels can also be high in thyroid disease.
Dr Kilmer McCully conducted the original research and was totally vindicated after it was confirmed high homocysteine was a greater risk factor for heart disease than high cholesterol.
Hi Polaris, I have read the same and I was doubly surprised that it was below range because I also have autoimmune thyroid disease and osteopoenia!
Now that I’ve researched a bit further today it seems like the optimal position is low homocysteine but not too low (as homocysteine is needed to respond to free radicals -something to do with creating antioxidants). Every time I think I understand things something else pops up.
I have tested MMA a couple of times. The number is near the top of the normal range and trending up but not yet high enough to be positive. Same for iFAB. That’s why I thought I would check homocysteine.
I am feeling severely undertested?Mu cholesterol level did rise dramatically at one stage .
Now back to leveks in 2015?
Perhaps something chemically back to normal?
They say we totally renew all cells in 7 years.
Far too complex to get my head around
Far too much still not understood by the scientists snd medics too.
The more you test the more you find as long as you can act upon results.
I'm sure it would save billions if we were all screened when well to know leves we uniquely operate on.
Yes !
Could be so much help in enabling GPs to see where, when and how health deterioration begins - and prevent what could become a lifelong condition, or at least diagnose and minimise symptoms/ effects with early treatment. Saving money - but also saving patients from having to get worse to get noticed.
Most definitely. Preventive measures ,preventative health care seems non existentant at present.
Thats what 'screening ' should cover.
Shortsightedness.
MMA homocysteine testing, Creon
Results MMA & Homocysteine
homocysteine test tomorrow
High Homocysteine levels 
Normal MMA and Homocysteine levels
