After menopause, it rises to male levels. Some people may have a genetic predisposition to high homocysteine levels. Also, both men and women experience homocysteine increases as they age, probably because the body grows less efficient at using B vitamins. Normal levels for homocysteine are still being debated. A typical range for women has been quoted at 6 to 10 micromoles per liter of blood, and for men 8 to 12 with abnormal levels more than 14.
Much more research is needed to determine appropriate testing and treatment options.
For now, eat foods rich in B vitamins and stay tuned. 882-7000 to make an appointment with a University of Missouri Health Sciences Center physician. If you have high blood pressure, the pressure in your arteries is consistently higher than the normal range. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against blood vessel walls. The top number, the systolic, is the pressure when the heart beats.