If you have regular physical examinations, do you know to check this indicator?

If you have regular physical examinations, do you know to check this indicator?

As people's health awareness increases, physical examinations have become an important means for us to prevent and detect diseases. However, I also found in the outpatient clinic that many patients missed an important indicator during their physical examinations - homocysteine.

What is homocysteine?

Homocysteine ​​is an intermediate product in the metabolism of methionine.

What is Methionine?

Methionine, also known as methionine, is also an essential amino acid for human protein synthesis. The human body cannot synthesize it by itself and can only obtain it from the outside.

What is the relationship between methionine and homocysteine?

The two are converted into each other, with methionine metabolism producing homocysteine, which is then converted into methionine via the folic acid and betaine pathways.

What are the dangers of elevated homocysteine?

There are mainly the following aspects:

1. Elevated homocysteine ​​can lead to Alzheimer's disease and is also an independent risk factor for cerebral infarction;

2. When homocysteine ​​increases by 5umol/L, the risk of heart disease increases by 84%;

3. Homocysteine ​​can cause high blood pressure;

4. Can aggravate kidney disease;

5. Can aggravate complications of diabetes;

6. Can cause osteoporosis

7. It can cause sexual dysfunction, infertility, miscarriage, etc.

How to have a physical examination?

Fasting homocysteine ​​test.

Who needs testing?

Physical examinations are also recommended for patients with hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, cerebral infarction, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and men and women who are planning to have children; and those with a family history of hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, cerebral infarction, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

How to treat it?

General treatment: quit smoking, quit drinking, exercise properly, avoid staying up late, etc.

Drug treatment: supplementation of folic acid, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin B12; supplementation of betaine, etc.

Have you learned how to simplify complex things?