Homocysteine

The homocysteine blood test measures the amount of homocysteine in your body. Typically, this test is used to diagnose a vitamin B6, B9, B12, or folic acid deficiency. A lack of these important vitamins increases homocysteine and can put you at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. However, this test can also be ordered for newborns to diagnose a rare inherited disorder known as homocystinuria.