title: Hyperhomocysteinemia and thrombophilia.
abstract: It is now widely accepted that hyperhomocysteinemia (HHC) is a risk factor for thrombophilia. HHC is the result of either impaired enzyme function or a deficiency of vitamin B (folate, B₆, B₁₂), or both, and can be treated with vitamin supplements. Measuring plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) is included in the routine thrombophilia panel in many laboratories, despite having a limited value to the clinician. Many methods are available for tHcy measurements. High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorescence detection is a widely used method, but is being replaced by more convenient immuno- or enzyme assays. In this paper a general overview on homocysteine is given, with an emphasis on laboratory methods.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Diseases, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia. mojca.bozic@kclj.si
authors.forename: Mojca
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Božič-Mijovski
mesh_terms: D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006801:Humans; D020138:Hyperhomocysteinemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012016:Reference Values; D019851:Thrombophilia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology