Description
When you order the at home finger-prick Homocysteine blood test, you will receive an Individual Biomarker Test Kit. One sample collection card can be used to test up to 3 biomarkers from the same sample, so you may not need to provide additional samples if ordering other compatible biomarker tests. Additional compatible biomarker tests must be purchased separately.
Why Homocysteine Matters?
Your homocysteine level can provide powerful insight into how well your body is supporting brain health, healthy ageing, and methylation.
Homocysteine is a biomarker linked to a process called methylation, one of the body’s most important repair and maintenance systems. Methylation plays a critical role in brain function, circulation, detoxification, DNA repair, mood regulation, and cognitive resilience. When methylation is impaired, homocysteine levels rise.
Raised homocysteine is associated with accelerated brain ageing, cognitive decline, cardiovascular disease, stroke, osteoporosis, depression, and a wide range of neurological and mental health conditions. In fact, homocysteine is recognised as a biomarker associated with more than 100 diseases, particularly those affecting the brain and nervous system.
Research has shown that lowering homocysteine may reduce brain shrinkage by up to 73% in those with adequate omega-3 DHA levels. Elevated levels may also indicate a greater need for key nutrients involved in methylation, especially vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folate. Some people can have raised homocysteine despite eating a healthy diet due to poor vitamin B12 absorption, which is why testing is so important.
What is an optimal homocysteine level?
A normal homocysteine level is typically below 10 µmol/L, while an optimal level is closer to 7 µmol/L or below. Levels above 10 may indicate increased health risk, and levels above 15 are generally considered high and may require action. The only way to know your homocysteine level is to test.
How the homocysteine test works?
This simple at-home blood spot test measures your homocysteine level using a fasted finger-prick blood sample. Please perform the test first thing in the morning after a 12-hour fast with no food or drinks except water.
The test kit contains:
- 2 lancets
- 1 blood spot collection card
- 1 return envelope
- 1 gauze pad
- 1 adhesive bandage
- and 1 alcohol swab
Your Homocysteine Test Supports Brain Health Research
When you order a Homocysteine Test kit, you are also contributing to independent research through our COGNITION Biobank, part of Food for the Brain’s ongoing Alzheimer’s prevention and brain health research programme.
Your anonymised results will help advance our understanding of the links between nutrition, lifestyle, and cognitive health. All data is securely stored and managed in accordance with HIPAA and GDPR standards.
As part of this project, you will be invited to:
- Retake your Cognitive Function Test every six months
- Track changes in your Dementia Risk Index
- Join COGNITION, our brain health improvement programme focused on evidence-based diet and lifestyle changes
Depending on your results, you may choose to retest your homocysteine levels every 3, 6 or 12 months.
For more information about Homocysteine test, please read our FAQs or email tests@foodforthebrain.org with any questions.
Available to order in the UK, EU, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore and Malaysia.






