HMW (high molecular weight) glutenin is a protein component found in wheat gluten. Gluten is a mixture of proteins found in wheat, barley, and rye that provides the elasticity and texture in dough and other baked goods.

The gluten proteins can be divided into two main groups: the gliadins and the glutenins. The glutenins can be further divided into the low molecular weight (LMW) glutenins and the high molecular weight (HMW) glutenins.

Holotranscobalamin (HoloTC) is the bioactive form of vitamin B12 circulating in the body. It is the only form that can be readily absorbed and utilized by cells, making it an essential marker for determining vitamin B12 levels. Unlike serum B12, which reflects both active and inactive forms, HoloTC offers a more accurate and sensitive measure of B12 status. This makes it a critical tool for detecting early vitamin B12 deficiency, especially when used alongside other markers such as methylmalonic acid (MMA) and homocysteine.

The marker HOMA-B (Homeostatic Model Assessment for Beta-cell Function) is an important clinical tool used for assessing the function of beta cells in the pancreas. Beta cells play a crucial role in the body's glucose metabolism by producing and secreting insulin, the hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. HOMA-B is calculated based on fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin levels, providing an estimate of beta-cell function.

HOMA-IR stands for "Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance".

The meaningful part of the acronym is “insulin resistance”. It marks for both the presence and extent of any insulin resistance that you might currently express. It is a terrific way to reveal the dynamic between your baseline (fasting) blood sugar and the responsive hormone insulin.

- Less than 1 means you are insulin-sensitive (Optiomal)

- Greater than 1.9 indicates early insulin resistance.

- Greater than 2.9 indicates significant insulin resistance.

Insulin, a hormone secreted by your pancreas, helps the body use glucose for fuel. When the body becomes insulin resistant, the pancreas will increase its production of insulin to compensate, but increased levels of insulin can damage your overall health and make it very difficult to lose weight.

If insulin resistance is left untreated, it can lead to the development of pre-diabetes, Type 2 diabetes mellitus or other metabolic conditions, like heart disease and fatty liver disease.

Why take the HOMA-IR test?

When insulin resistance is identified early, it can be reversed. Using the HOMA-IR to identify subtle insulin resistance, even before it is evident in more traditional screening measures like hemoglobin HA1c (HA1c) and fasting blood sugar.

The HOMA-IR tool is a validated, non-invasive tool to assess the relationship between glucose and insulin. If elevated, it can guide you to make diet and lifestyle changes that will bring your HOMA-IR score down into the insulin-sensitive range, lose weight, and improve your health.

HOMA-IR and CVD:

HOMA-IR is an independent predictor of CVD in type 2 diabetes. The improvement of insulin resistance might have beneficial effects not only on glucose control but also on CVD in patients with type 2 diabetes.

What is the HOMA-S test?

The HOMA-S test is a quanatitative insulin sensitivity check index/homeostasis model assessment for insulin sensitivity.

The HOMA-S test is a valuable tool for predicting the risk of developing diabetes and other metabolic conditions by assessing insulin sensitivity. It can help individuals take proactive measures to prevent the onset of diabetes or manage their condition effectively if diagnosed early.

Homocitrulline is a marker that may indicate how much protein carbamoylation is happening in the body. Protein carbamoylation is a process where isocyanate reacts with the amino acid lysine, resulting in the formation of homocitrulline. This modification is thought to contribute to molecular aging and is linked to various health issues, including atherosclerosis (a condition where arteries become narrowed) and problems with the immune system.

Research has shown that patients with chronic kidney disease tend to have higher levels of homocitrulline, and these levels are positively related to urea concentration, which is a waste product that builds up when the kidneys are not functioning properly.

Additionally, individuals with coronary artery disease also exhibit significantly elevated serum homocitrulline levels. This suggests that measuring homocitrulline can provide valuable insights into certain health conditions and the overall metabolic state of a person.

The amino acid homocitrulline is a metabolite of ornithine in human metabolism.

The amino acid can be detected in larger amounts in the urine of individuals with urea cycle disorders. Both amino acids can be detected in urine. Amino acid analysis allows for the quantitative analysis of these amino acid metabolites in biological fluids such as urine, blood, plasma or proteins.

The amino acid homocitrulline is a metabolite of ornithine in human metabolism.

The amino acid can be detected in larger amounts in the urine of individuals with urea cycle disorders. Both amino acids can be detected in urine. Amino acid analysis allows for the quantitative analysis of these amino acid metabolites in biological fluids such as urine, blood, plasma or proteins.

- Homocysteine is often used as an indicator of methylation status

- Clinicians aim for optimal: 2-10μmol/L

- Homocysteine must be recycled back into methionine

- Homocysteine is often used as an indicator of methylation status

- Clinicians aim for optimal: 2-10μmol/L

- Homocysteine must be recycled back into methionine

Homocysteine is an amino acid that requires vitamin B12 and folate to be used by our bodies. As such, homocysteine blood tests are often ordered to identify vitamin B12 / folate deficiency.

Rarely, an abnormally high level of homocysteine indicates a rare genetic disorder called homocystinuria.

Homocysteine is a sulphur-containing amino acid and is an intermediate metabolite of methionine metabolism. Homocysteine is a well-known cardiovascular disease risk factor.