Indicator Explainer

Homocysteine

An amino acid derivative and homolog of cysteine containing an additional methylene bridge. Homocysteine is a product of methionine metabolism and elevated plasma levels are associated with cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer disease and several metabolic diseases.

Reviewed 2026-10-19
Read this first

This page explains what the indicator is and how results are interpreted in general terms. Reference ranges depend on the laboratory, the method, and your own situation — no single “normal value” applies to everyone. This page is health information, not a diagnosis. For symptoms, treatment, or urgent concerns, contact a healthcare professional.

When it is tested

Source: National Cancer Institute, NCI Thesaurus 26.09d, C105949. NCI definition, reproduced without modification under CC BY 4.0. Source identity and definition checked automatically on 2026-10-19. No individual clinical interpretation or human reviewer is asserted.

Reading results

Reference intervals and interpretation depend on the laboratory, specimen, method and clinical context. This source definition is educational information; it does not establish a diagnosis, product approval or suitability for an individual.

Also Known As

2-Amino-4-Mercapto-Butanoic Acid2-Amino-4-Mercapto-Butyric acid2-Amino-4-Mercaptobutyric Acid2-Amino-4-Sulfanylbutanoic AcidButanoic Acid, 2-Amino-4-Mercapto-Butyric Acid, 2-Amino-4-Mercapto-HcyHomo-CysHomocysteine