Homocysteine

PGO-info

Preventive blood test · Category 2 PGO

Legally required PGO information. Please read this and check the box to indicate your agreement before placing your order.

1. What is the purpose of this test?

This test measures your homocysteine level, an amino acid produced by your body during metabolism. An elevated level may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and may indicate a deficiency in vitamins B6, B11 (folic acid), or B12.

The test does not replace a doctor and does not diagnose.

2. Is this test something for you?

This test is suitable for adults (18+) who:

Want to have their risk of cardiovascular disease assessed as a preventive measure

Suspected deficiency in vitamins B6, B11, or B12

Want to monitor their homocysteine levels, for example as part of a broader health program

Are you pregnant or being treated for a serious medical condition? Please call us first. Our medical team will help you determine whether this test is appropriate for you.

3. How reliable is it?

The test is performed in an ISO-certified laboratory. Your homocysteine level naturally increases with age—by about 5 to 10% every 10 years—and can also be influenced by lifestyle factors such as smoking and coffee consumption. For a proper interpretation, it is recommended to also have your vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid (B11) levels tested.

4. How does the blood draw work?

Your blood will be drawn from a vein in your arm (venous blood draw) at one of the 1,000+ blood draw locations throughout the Netherlands. The blood draw is performed by a BIG-registered healthcare professional, or by someone who has been granted extended authority by a BIG-registered physician, who has determined that the healthcare professional is qualified and competent to perform this procedure.

For this test, you must fast: do not eat anything after 8:00 p.m. the night before the test and drink only water; you must fast for at least 12 hours in total.

This test is sensitive to temperature. Do not send your test tube in hot weather when temperatures exceed 25 degrees; instead, drop it in the mailbox on a cooler day, and store it in the refrigerator until then. Do not send the test tube via a package service with track-and-trace.

The risks associated with blood collection are minimal:

Sometimes a bruise or some pain at the puncture site, but this goes away quickly

Rarely, a feeling of lightheadedness or dizziness; this goes away on its own

Minimal risk of infection thanks to sterile materials and hygienic procedures.

Do you use blood thinners? Report that in advance at the lancing station.

5. What happens if something deviates?

If your results are abnormal, we’ll guide you through the process:

Do the results require immediate medical follow-up? If so, we’ll call you personally before you see the results online.

Other abnormal values are indicated by an up or down arrow in your results.

You can discuss your results with your own primary care physician, or request a consultation with one of our doctors, internists, or coaches through our Extra Services.

We do not diagnose or give treatment advice. We do help you find the right way.

6. And if something unexpected comes out?

Even with a targeted test like this one, a result can sometimes call for extra attention that you didn’t expect—for example, if a value falls significantly outside the expected range. We call this an incidental finding. We always inform you of this in your results. Our medical team can help you determine whether further steps are necessary.

7. Can this be relevant to my family?

Elevated homocysteine levels may be associated not only with a vitamin deficiency but also with a genetic predisposition related to metabolism. If anything unusual is found in your results, it may be helpful to discuss this with your first-degree relatives. We recommend discussing this with your primary care physician for inclusion in your medical record and for any necessary guidance for your first-degree relatives.

8. What do we do with your data?

Your data is safe with us:

We never share your results with insurance companies or doctors (including primary care physicians).

The blood tubes are labeled with a unique barcode that only the laboratory can link to your test; no one else can determine what is being tested

Your results will be sent exclusively to the email address you provided.

We store your medical records for 20 years in a secure file on mijnuitslag.nl, as required by law

Only authorized staff have access, and we do not share any information with third parties without your consent

You can always view your data or have it deleted at [email protected].

More information: www.bloodtesting.nl/service/privacy-policy/

9. Good to know

This is a preventive test, not a medical treatment. The results do not constitute a diagnosis and are not a substitute for a doctor’s advice.

Have questions about your results or health? Contact our medical team.

This test meets the Quality Standard Preventive Health Examination (NVvPG) and is performed in accordance with the BIG Act and WGBO.