What medications can cause high homocysteine levels?
Drugs such as methotrexate, 6-azauridine, nicotinic acid, and bile acid sequestrants cause elevations in homocysteine levels.
What causes homocysteine levels to elevate?
Most people who have a high homocysteine level don’t get enough folate (also called folic acid), vitamin B6, or vitamin B12 in their diet. Replacing these vitamins often helps return the homocysteine level to normal. Other possible causes of a high homocysteine level include: Low levels of thyroid hormone.
What happens when homocysteine levels become elevated?
Homocysteine is an amino acid. Vitamins B12, B6 and folate break down homocysteine to create other chemicals your body needs. High homocysteine levels may mean you have a vitamin deficiency. Without treatment, elevated homocysteine increases your risks for dementia, heart disease and stroke.
Is homocysteine related to inflammation?
Since inflammation promotes cell proliferation at the expense of excess vitamins leading to hyperhomocysteinemia, therefore, homocysteine can be used as a marker of inflammation to indicate the presence of inflammation.
Do steroids deplete B12?
Corticosteroids in general can decrease the amounts of certain vitamins in the body and supplementation may be required to prevent deficiencies. The B vitamins folic acid, B6 and B12 have an increased loss from the body in the presence of prednisone.
Does prednisone effect B12?
No interactions were found between prednisone and Vitamin B12.
How can I get my homocysteine levels down?
Elevated homocysteine levels can be lowered. We know that folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 are all involved in breaking down homocysteine in the blood. Therefore, increasing your intake of folic acid and B vitamins may lower your homocysteine level.
How do you treat elevated homocysteine levels?
Once diagnosed, you may have to change your diet to lower your homocysteine levels. If you have a vitamin deficiency, you can increase your vitamin B intake and folic acid by eating folate-rich foods such as green vegetables, orange juice, and beans. In some cases, doctors may prescribe daily vitamin supplements.
What vitamins and minerals does prednisone deplete?
Prednisone leads to a loss of potassium and vitamins B-6, B-12 and folic acid. It also interferes with vitamin D, which affects calcium metabolism. Zantac and other acid-suppressing drugs can make it difficult to absorb vitamin B-12. And hydralazine depletes B-6.
What vitamins should I avoid when taking prednisone?
Reduce Side Effects
- Calcium and Vitamin D. Oral corticosteroids reduce absorption of calcium and interfere with the activation and metabolism of the vitamin, increasing the risk of bone loss.
- Fiber. Propoxyphene may cause gastrointestinal (GI) upset.
- Chromium.
How long does it take to lower homocysteine?
One study found that within three weeks, homocysteine levels could be reduced by 17% using folate alone, 19% using B12 alone, 57% using folate and B12, and 60% using folate, B12 and B6 (86). Another study found that combining B6 and folate reduces homocysteine 32% within five weeks (85).
How do I get rid of homocysteine?
We know that folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 are all involved in breaking down homocysteine in the blood. Therefore, increasing your intake of folic acid and B vitamins may lower your homocysteine level. A good source of folate can be found in fruits and vegetables (especially green leafy vegetables).
What are the symptoms of high homocysteine?
Elevated homocysteine symptoms
- pale skin.
- weakness.
- fatigue.
- tingling sensations (like pins and needles) in the hands, arms, legs, or feet.
- dizziness.
- mouth sores.
- mood changes.
Is it OK to take vitamin D with prednisone?
Interactions between your drugs No interactions were found between prednisone and Vitamin D3.
Can I take vitamin D while on steroids?
A new study shows that vitamin D, taken in combination with steroids, can enhance the effect of these drugs to subdue an overactive immune system. The addition of vitamin D may lower the dosage of steroids needed, and avoid some of their side effects, such as infection and weight gain.