Vitamin B12, Folate & Homocysteine Test
Optimize your health with our B12 Folate Homocysteine panel. Discover high homocysteine causes with this CLIA at-home blood kit for methylation health.
Product details: USD 129 — InStock — SKU gettested_vitaminB12_folate_and_homocysteine_test — GetTested
About this test
What This Test Measures
GetTested’s Vitamin B12, Folate & Homocysteine Test measures three key biomarkers:
Vitamin B12 is involved in neurological function, red blood cell formation, and energy-related processes. Folate plays a central role in DNA synthesis and cell division.
Homocysteine is an amino acid that provides additional context to these nutrients, as its level is influenced by both B12 and folate.
Together, these markers help assess vitamin status and how these nutrients are functioning in the body.
How It Works
You collect a small blood sample at home using a finger-prick method. The sample is then sent to a CLIA-certified laboratory for analysis, and your results are delivered digitally once testing is complete.
Dried Blood Spot (DBS) Collection
The test uses a dried blood spot (DBS) sample. A few drops of blood are collected from your fingertip and placed on a collection card, which is then left to dry before being sent to the laboratory.
This method is widely used and offers a convenient alternative to traditional blood sampling.
Who Should Consider This Test
This test is relevant for individuals who want insight into vitamin B12 and folate status and how these nutrients are functioning in the body.
It may be particularly useful in cases of fatigue, low energy, or when exploring nutritional factors that may influence overall well-being. It can also be used as a general assessment of these key biomarkers.
Understanding CLIA Certification
Your sample is analyzed in a CLIA-certified laboratory, ensuring that testing is performed according to established U.S. quality standards using validated methods.
Biomarkers included
- Vitamin B12: Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) is a water-soluble vitamin essential for DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, and neurological function. It's primarily found in animal products, making vegetarians and vegans at higher risk of deficiency. B12 deficiency can lead to pernicious anemia, fatigue, neurological problems (including numbness, tingling, and memory issues), and elevated homocysteine levels, incr
- Folate: Folate (vitamin B9) is a water-soluble vitamin essential for DNA synthesis, cell division, and normal red blood cell formation. It is especially important during pregnancy because adequate folate status supports early fetal development and helps reduce the risk of neural tube defects. Folate also participates in methylation pathways and homocysteine metabolism, where low folate can contribute to e
- Homocysteine: Homocysteine is an amino acid produced during the metabolism of methionine, an essential amino acid found in protein. Elevated levels of homocysteine are considered a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (e.g., heart attack, stroke) and may also be associated with cognitive impairment and certain neurological conditions. Its importance lies in its role as an indicator of nutritional deficiencies
How to prepare
Fast for 8-12 hours before collection. Avoid B12-fortified foods, energy drinks, and supplements for 24 hours (or 7 days for baseline testing) before using the kit.
Frequently asked questions
Why should I test Homocysteine alongside B12?
B12 and Folate are required to break down Homocysteine. If Homocysteine is high despite 'normal' B12 levels, it may indicate a functional deficiency or a methylation issue (like MTHFR) where your body isn't utilizing the vitamins effectively. Identifying high homocysteine causes is essential for cardiovascular and neurological health.
Do I need to fast for this test?
For the most accurate Folate and Homocysteine results, it is recommended to fast for 8 to 12 hours before sample collection. Avoid B12-fortified foods or energy drinks for 24 hours prior to using your CLIA at-home blood kit.
Can I take this test if I use B12 supplements?
If you are taking supplements or B12 injections, your results will reflect your current supplemented levels. To determine your 'baseline' level, most practitioners recommend a 7-day 'wash-out' period before taking a vegan B12 blood test.
How accurate is a finger-prick (DBS) test?
DBS technology used in this home methylation test is highly stable for B-vitamins. Numerous clinical studies show that DBS results for B12, Folate, and Homocysteine correlate strongly with traditional needle-and-vial blood draws.
Customer reviews
4.6/5 (5)
- 5/5 — Super easy to follow the instructions and got my results back in just two days.
- 5/5 — Really happy with this test, results were clear and helpful.
- 4/5 — Good kit, worth the money!
- 4/5 — The finger prick took a second to get right but the lab report was very detailed for my MTHFR tracking. Very satisfied with the quick turnaround.
- 5/5 — Fast delivery, easy to use!