Homocysteine 24-Hour Urinary Excretion Rate
This test measures how much homocysteine, a chemical produced by the body, appears in your urine over a 24-hour period. It helps assess how well your body is breaking down this substance.
["Understanding your homocysteine excretion can help identify potential metabolic or kidney-related concerns."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 81934-2
- Short code
- Hcys intake 24h Est
- Synonyms
- Hcys intake 24h Est
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 20
- Ref high
- 400
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- estimated
- CPT
- 82670
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Is Done
Your doctor may order this test if they suspect conditions like kidney disease, certain genetic disorders, or metabolic imbalances that affect how your body processes homocysteine. It can also be part of a broader evaluation for chronic conditions.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is typically needed. You’ll provide a 24-hour urine collection, starting and ending at the same time each day. Drink plenty of water to help flush out homocysteine naturally.
How the Test Works
Your urine is collected and analyzed to measure homocysteine levels. The test quantifies how much of this chemical is excreted over the full day, rather than measuring it in blood or serum alone.
What the Results Mean
Results are not typically provided as a single numeric value in this format, but they help determine if your body’s homocysteine processing is within expected ranges for your health status. Your doctor will interpret the results in the context of your medical history.
Reference range
Premenopausal: 20-400 pg/mL; Postmenopausal: <30 pg/mLN/A
No special preparation usually required. Stay well hydrated. Inform your healthcare provider of all medications and supplements you are taking.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Elevated homocysteine excretion may indicate kidney dysfunction, genetic disorders (like cystinuria), or metabolic issues. While homocysteine itself isn’t always directly linked to disease, abnormal excretion patterns can signal underlying problems that may require further evaluation.
Short name
Homocysteine Urine Rate
Frequently asked questions
What causes elevated homocysteine excretion?
How long will I need to collect urine for this test?
Can I take medications while collecting urine for this test?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy