Branched chain amino acid Total

The combined branched-chain amino acids that fuel and build muscle.

Last reviewedJune 16, 2026

Plasma

sample type

~5 mL

blood needed

~7 days

results in app

Morning, fasting

best timing

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Why test Reference ranges What you'll learn What affects it How testing works Sources FAQ

In short

The branched-chain amino acids are leucine, isoleucine, and valine. They are essential, meaning the body cannot make them and must get them from food. They are important for building muscle, providing energy, and signalling protein synthesis. This result reports their combined total.

Comprehensive Health Check

Reviewed against DGKL reference practice.

Why test this?

The total is measured as part of a plasma amino acid profile. It gives a single picture of branched-chain amino acid status, which links to protein intake, muscle metabolism, and insulin-related pathways. It is read alongside the individual values and the rest of the panel.

What is a normal result?

Aniva reads your result against research-backed ranges, not just the lab's wide normal. The reference shown below is specific to this biomarker.

Adult reference values as used by Aniva. Ranges are guidance and can vary by laboratory and method.

Group	Normal range
Adults	240 to 599 µmol/L

Your Aniva report reads your result against these values together with your age, sex and the rest of your panel.

Ranges are guidance and vary by lab and assay, aligned with DGKL practice. Always read your result against your own lab's reference interval.

What insights will this test give you?

A combined view of leucine, isoleucine, and valine status.
Context on protein intake and muscle-related metabolism.
Help interpreting the individual branched-chain values in your profile.

What can affect this result?

What can skew the result

Recent protein intake, BCAA or protein supplements, fasting state, and time of day affect the result. A fasting morning sample gives the most reliable reading.

Best interpreted with

Read as part of the full plasma amino acid profile.

How is this tested?

Sample

Plasma

Blood needed

~5 mL

Method

Ion-exchange chromatography or LC-MS/MS

Best timing

Morning, fasting

Sources. The evidence behind this

Mayo Clinic Laboratories: Amino Acids, Quantitative, Plasma
MedlinePlus: Plasma amino acids

Common questions

Which Aniva panels include this marker?

Amino Acids

These tests assess essential, non-essential, and branched-chain amino acids, plus related metabolites and functional ratios.