Homocysteine (EDTA Plasma)

The EDTA-plasma measure of homocysteine, an amino acid linked to heart and brain risk.

Last reviewedJune 16, 2026

Plasma

sample type

~5 mL

blood needed

~7 days

results in app

Morning, fasting preferred

best timing

INCLUDED WITH ANIVA

199 € / year

0.55 € a day

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100+ biomarkers. Cheaper than a comparable test at your doctor. Guaranteed, or we match the price.

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On this page

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

In short

Homocysteine is an amino acid your body makes while processing methionine. With enough folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 it is quickly recycled or cleared. When that processing lags, it builds up in the blood.

This version is measured in EDTA plasma, where the blood is collected into a tube containing EDTA and the cells are separated quickly. That handling is analytically preferred, because it limits the false rise that happens when blood sits.

Heart & Cholesterol

Reviewed against DGKL reference practice.

Why test this?

A raised homocysteine is linked to higher risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and blood clots, and often signals low B vitamin status or a methylation issue. It is also studied in cognitive decline and bone health.

EDTA plasma, kept cold and spun promptly, gives a more reliable value than serum, which is why many labs prefer it for this test.

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	Optimal range
Men	Below 15 µmol/L	Below 10 µmol/L
Women	Below 15 µmol/L	Below 10 µmol/L

Sources: Reference interval; hyperhomocysteinemia >15 µmol/L — Refsum et al., Clin Chem 2004;50(1):3-32, Total homocysteine & cardiovascular disease risk meta-analysis — Bautista et al., J Clin Epidemiol 2002;55(9):882-7, Optimal <10 µmol/L; CV risk rises continuously, lower is better — Homocysteine Studies Collaboration, JAMA 2002;288(16):2015-22

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?

You learn whether your homocysteine is raised, a flag for low B vitamins or methylation problems and an addition to your cardiovascular picture. A high result often points to simple, targeted nutrition steps within a personalized action plan.

What can affect this result?

What can skew the result

Even with EDTA, slow separation of plasma from cells can falsely raise the result. Low folate, B12, or B6, kidney impairment, hypothyroidism, smoking, and some medications raise levels. Keeping the sample cold until spun reduces error.