Homocysteine, Vitamin B₁₂, and Serum and Erythrocyte Folate in Peritoneal Dialysis and Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

Plasma Hcy levels were high in more than 95% of our dialysis patients, with no relation to the type of dialysis. Vitamin B12 and folate were normal in the majority of our patients. However, serum folate was the major determinant of Hcy levels. Such a relation between Hcy and folate suggests that levels of folate within the reference interval are inadequate for dialysis patients.