Levels between 5 and 15 micromoles per liter are considered normal. The genetic condition that leads to severe elevations of homocysteine is called homocystinuria . This is a rare autosomal recessive disease that occurs in about one out of every 200,000 people in the population. People with this condition are likely to develop severe cardiovascular disease as early as their teens and into their twenties. The genetic defect is due to an enzyme deficiency.
Men have a higher risk of elevated homocysteine than do woman.
However, postmenopausal women are at increased risk for elevated levels of homocysteine. This is thought to be due to the fact that as one ages there is a corresponding increase in gastric atrophy resulting in loss of Vit. B12. B12 is an essential vitamin that helps to reduce homocysteine levels. Medications, which are known to increase homocysteine include nicotinic acid, nitrous oxide exposure, theophylline, methotrexate, and L- dopa. The most significant factor in increasing homocysteine levels, though, is dietary.