Also known as: Homocyst(e)ine, Homocysteine Cardiac Risk
The short answer
Elevated homocysteine is linked to heart disease, stroke, and B-vitamin deficiency, measured from a standard blood draw. At TestWell it costs $27.99 plus a $6 lab fee, requires an 8–12 hour fast, and results post in 2–5 business days. Physician-authorized with no doctor's visit or insurance needed; draw at Quest or Labcorp.
Hospital Lab
$130
cash pay
Other Labs
$45
+ lab fees
TestWell
$27.99
+ $6 lab fee
Homocysteine is an amino acid that, when elevated, is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and blood clots. High levels may indicate a deficiency in vitamin B12, B6, or folate. It can also be elevated due to genetics (MTHFR gene variants), kidney disease, or certain medications.
Amino acid byproduct of methionine metabolism. Elevated homocysteine is associated with cardiovascular disease, dementia, and pregnancy complications; often correctable with B-vitamin supplementation.
Anyone with family history of early cardiovascular disease, unexplained miscarriage or fertility issues, MTHFR gene variant carriers, or low B12/folate intake.
Sample Type
Blood draw
Fasting
Required
Results In
2–5 business days
Performed At
Quest or Labcorp
Your Homocysteine results will include values for each of the 1 biomarker tested, along with reference ranges. Results are reviewed by a licensed physician before being released to your secure portal.
If any values fall outside the normal range, your report will include guidance on what that may mean and recommended next steps. You'll receive an email notification when your results are ready, typically within 2–5 business days.
Typical reference range layout
Lab reports show where your value sits relative to established reference intervals—your physician interprets this in context for you.
Fasting for 8–12 hours recommended. Water is okay.
The short answer
Worth it in two situations: investigating cardiovascular risk beyond the standard lipid panel, and checking whether your B-vitamin status is FUNCTIONALLY adequate - homocysteine rises when B12, folate, or B6 aren't doing their job, sometimes before blood vitamin levels look abnormal. $27.99, one fasting draw.
We would rather you order the right test than the most expensive one.
Venous draw at Quest or Labcorp. Fasting 10-12 hours is recommended for a clean baseline. $27.99 self-pay versus $45 at consumer competitors; results in 2-5 business days.
An at-home draw is not recommended for this test — it needs a lab-based collection to be accurate.
The markers that matter most and what an out-of-range value can mean. Reference ranges vary by lab, age and sex.
| Marker | Typical range | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Homocysteine | ~5-15 µmol/L (labs vary) | Mildly elevated levels most often point to functional B12/folate/B6 shortfall (very treatable) or kidney function, and are associated with higher cardiovascular risk. The common path: replete the B vitamins, retest in 2-3 months, and watch it fall. Persistently high despite good B-vitamin status is worth reviewing with a clinician. |
This section medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD — updated August 2026. General health information, not medical advice; interpret results with a qualified clinician.
A Homocysteine test costs $27.99 at TestWell — $33.99 all-in when ordered alone, because the $6 lab processing fee is charged once per order, with no draw fee or physician fee added. Ordered directly from the labs' own consumer sites, the same test lists at $75.00 at Quest Health and $79.00 at Labcorp OnDemand (list prices checked Sep 12, 2026). Hospital outpatient labs typically bill around $130.00 self-pay for the same test, and often more. With insurance, what you pay depends on your deductible and your plan's negotiated rate; TestWell's price is fixed before the draw and is HSA/FSA-eligible.
| Where you order | Price | One test, all-in | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TestWell (drawn at Quest or Labcorp) | $27.99 | $33.99 | Includes the one $6 lab processing fee, charged once per order |
| Quest Health (Quest Diagnostics' own site) | $75.00 | $75.00 | list price checked Sep 12, 2026 |
| Labcorp OnDemand (Labcorp's own site) | $79.00 | $79.00 | list price checked Sep 12, 2026 |
| Hospital outpatient lab, self-pay (typical) | $130.00 | $130.00 | Reference figure; hospital charges vary widely by facility and are often higher |
55% less than the lower lab-direct list price, for the same draw at the same lab. Lab test codes: Quest test code 31789 · Labcorp test no. 706994 · BioReference code 1311-0. Competitor prices are read from the linked public pages and re-checked regularly; the labs' sites may add taxes or change prices without notice.
TestWell Price
$27.99
+ $6 lab processing fee at checkout
No insurance needed · HIPAA compliant
Better value: the Comprehensive B12 Deficiency Panel
Save $23.98This test is part of the Comprehensive B12 Deficiency Panel — 3 tests · 3 biomarkers for $79.99, $23.98 less than à la carte.
$79.99$103.97
3 tests · 3 biomarkers
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Homocysteine
$27.99