What is it about?
A controversial claim is that the blood test for homocysteine, an amino acid, could be just as important in controlling the risk of cardiovascular disease as is the bood test for cholesterol. However, recent evidence suggests that high blood levels of homocysteine could be even more relevant for the dementias, especially Alzheimers Disease. However, this test is rarely done by GPs as it must arrive at the laboratory in less than 30 minutes and the collection revice from GP surgeries cannot do this. I explain the ltest avidence and how the 30 minute rule can be achieved.
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Why is it important?
The burden of dementia on the NHS and adult care services (not to mention the patients and their families) is growing and this test could help to diminish this burden. Blood homocysteien can be lowered by dietary adjustments and taking a daily vitamin B supplement. Other risk factors such as smoking, alcohol and inactivity are equally important.
Perspectives
I hope some GPs and private doctors will read my article and start to use the homocysteine test. However non-GP readers who have friends or relatives who are GPs could pass it on to them and this might help to make a difference!
Dr John Anthony Alvan Nichols
Royal Society of Medicine
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Testing for homocysteine in clinical practice, Nutrition and Health, March 2017, SAGE Publications,
DOI: 10.1177/0260106016686094.
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