How Much Does MTHFR Gene Mutation Test Cost?

Published on October 18, 2025 | Prices Last Reviewed for Freshness: November 2025
Written by Alec Pow - Economic & Pricing Investigator | Medical Review by Sarah Nguyen, MD

Educational content; not medical advice. Prices are typical estimates and may exclude insurance benefits; confirm with a licensed clinician and your insurer.

This guide lays out real price points from at-home MTHFR gene test kits and direct-access labs to doctor-ordered testing, then explains what you actually get for the fee per cost and results guidance.

Before you buy, set expectations. Leading professional groups such as the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and ACOG say routine MTHFR polymorphism testing has limited clinical value for most people, especially for thrombophilia or pregnancy loss workups, so insurance coverage is inconsistent. That policy context affects whether a plan will pay.

Article Insights

• Home MTHFR kits typically list at $119–$129, with frequent promos.
• Direct-access lab DNA tests commonly price at $179–$219 plus $25–$50 for a draw.
• Physician-ordered testing can run $325–$390+ before insurance adjustments.
• Counseling adds $179–$250 per session when purchased independently.
• Major societies do not recommend routine MTHFR testing for thrombophilia or pregnancy loss, which limits coverage.
• A cheaper alternative for suspected high homocysteine is a homocysteine blood test ordered by a clinician.

How Much Does an MTHFR Test Cost?

MTHFR test costs start from $119 for home kits up to $390+ for clinical lab genotyping.

Most readers see three price tiers in the United States during 2024–2025. Basic at-home MTHFR kits commonly list at $119–$129 per kit. Direct-access lab DNA tests that include a phlebotomy visit land around $179–$219 plus a draw fee. Physician-ordered clinical lab genotyping can be $300–$400+ before any insurance adjustments, and some markets report higher self-pay quotes. Examples include EmpowerDX’s at-home test.

Concrete examples help. Walk-In Lab resells a SpectraCell MTHFR genotyping kit at $219 plus you must arrange a blood draw. DiscountedLabs posts $189 for an MTHFR DNA test and discloses an $8 processing fee. These are shelf prices, not insurance rates.

You might also like our articles about the costs of Polygenic risk score testing, Galleri blood testing, or predictive genetic testing.

One-Gene vs multi-gene panels

Some vendors sell MTHFR-only testing, others bundle methylation-related genes. For instance, Life Extension offers an MTHFR/COMT cheek swab profile while DirectLabs lists a Methylation Genomics add-on with genes such as MTRR and CBS. Panels often cost more up front but lower the per-gene price.

Online kits vs in-lab testing

Mail-in kits use saliva or cheek swabs and publish list prices online. In-lab tests may require a physician order, blood draw logistics, and a local service area. Add a draw fee at many walk-in labs, or more for mobile phlebotomy. Quest and Labcorp publish clinical test pages with method and CPT details but not consumer prices.

Basic testing focused on the MTHFR gene alone usually falls within the $100 to $300 range. More comprehensive methylation or genetic health profiles that include MTHFR along with other related genes can cost between $300 and $600. Some companies also allow users to upload existing raw DNA data to reduce costs. See MyGeneFood and Xcode Life for consumer-facing summaries.

For example, PlexusDx offers an at-home MTHFR test for about $129 that delivers personalized methylation insights, whereas advanced panels from companies like 10X Health System command prices near $599 for more extensive testing including multiple SNPs across methylation-related genes. Insurance coverage varies but some plans may cover testing if deemed medically necessary by a physician. Several studies and reports caution about unnecessary testing and discuss the financial burden.

Factors that influence the cost

Number of variants tested. Some products check only C677T, others include A1298C, and panels extend to additional methylation genes. More loci usually means a higher sticker price and a longer report.

Sample type. Buccal swabs and saliva are common for home kits. Blood draws add convenience costs like phlebotomy fees and the time cost of a lab visit. Some kits require whole blood and a third-party draw.

Report depth and interpretation. Raw genotype only is cheaper. If your purchase includes physician ordering or a consult, you are paying for professional time. Several tele-genetics services offer flat-rate sessions.

Insurance coverage. Policies vary. Many plans require a clear medical indication, and major societies do not recommend routine MTHFR testing in thrombophilia workups. That raises the chance you will pay out of pocket or use HSA or FSA funds. See AAFP Choosing Wisely and GoodRx’s overview of genetic test coverage.

Cost comparison of testing providers

Direct-to-consumer home kits. You can order a cheek-swab MTHFR kit without a clinic visit. EmpowerDX lists $129. RxHomeTest regularly advertises promotional prices like $119.99 for MTHFR and $199.99 for APOE + MTHFR. Read the fine print on what the report includes.

Clinical lab providers. Quest and Labcorp run MTHFR DNA analysis with PCR methods and publish specimen requirements. A published case series reported $390 self-pay in the Washington DC region, or $325 when billed through an institutional account.

Functional medicine and direct-access platforms. Resellers list MTHFR DNA tests at $189–$219, often with a separate draw or processing fee. As an alternative, some platforms offer a Genova buccal-swab add-on priced lower when attached to a parent panel.

What you get for the price

Basic genotype vs analytical add-ons. An inexpensive kit typically returns two SNP calls with a short explanation. If you want diet or supplement narratives, third-party interpretation tools like NutraHacker can analyze raw data and range from free to $85 for add-on reports; here’s a comparison of tools: NutraHacker vs. Genetic Genie.

Counseling and care navigation. Several tele-genetics services offer flat-rate sessions; examples include Genetics Support Foundation. These fees are separate from lab charges.

Turnaround and logistics. Home kits often return results in one to three weeks. Clinical labs may be faster once a draw is scheduled, but access depends on local service areas and ordering rules.

Worked example. A typical self-pay path might look like this: at-home kit $129, optional mobile draw $0 because no blood draw is needed, independent tele-genetics session $179, total $308. Swap in a direct-access blood test at $219 plus a walk-in draw and the same counseling session, and the total is $433. Costs vary.

Hidden costs, briefly. Watch for shipping or processing fees, physician ordering fees on some platforms, draw fees, and the cost of follow-up visits to review results. One reseller discloses an $8 processing fee.

Common MTHFR testing routes and typical prices (USD, 2024–2025)

Insurance coverage and reimbursement

Coverage policies tend to follow evidence statements. ACOG and ACMG do not recommend MTHFR polymorphism testing for recurrent pregnancy loss or thrombophilia evaluation, and the College of American Pathologists advises testing plasma homocysteine instead when hyperhomocysteinemia is suspected. That translates into sporadic coverage for MTHFR genotyping.

If a clinician orders testing for a documented indication, your plan might apply standard lab benefits using CPT 81291 while out-of-network ordering can trigger much higher balances. Medicare and private plan articles place typical genetic test costs anywhere from under $100 to over $2,000, depending on complexity and panels.

HSA or FSA funds commonly apply to genetic testing and counseling when medically indicated. Some tele-genetics services provide financial assistance tiers or will bill insurance directly for the counseling portion, which can lower out-of-pocket spend (e.g., InformedDNA).

Is the test worth the cost?

Use value depends on your goals. Professional societies discourage MTHFR polymorphism testing for clotting risk or pregnancy loss, which limits downstream clinical actionability for many buyers. If the concern is elevated homocysteine, a homocysteine blood test is cheaper and more aligned with guidelines. For clinical background, see Quest’s FAQ.

Cheaper alternatives and discounts

There are lower-cost paths. Watch for sale prices on home kits in the $100–$130 band and limited-time codes around holidays. Direct-access resellers sometimes bundle MTHFR with homocysteine or offer add-on pricing like $65 when attached to a parent panel. If you already have raw data from a major ancestry test, third-party interpretation may be free or under $85, though that is not medical care (compare tools: NutraHacker vs. Genetic Genie).

The broader health context

MTHFR encodes an enzyme in folate metabolism. Common variants like C677T and A1298C can reduce enzyme activity modestly and are common in the population. Associations with numerous conditions are inconsistent, which is why many clinicians steer testing decisions toward clinical findings and simpler labs; see a recent overview.

Sticker shock is common. Costs vary widely. If you choose to test, plan for the lab fee plus any professional time to interpret results, and confirm what action would follow either outcome before you spend.

Real-world prices

Houston, TX self-pay. Walk-In Lab SpectraCell MTHFR kit $219, local draw typical $25–$50, optional tele-genetics $179, estimated total $433.

National direct-access. DiscountedLabs MTHFR $189 plus $8 processing and a typical draw in the $25–$50 range, estimated lab total $222–$247 before any counseling.

Physician-ordered in DC region. Published estimates show $325–$390 for MTHFR genotyping depending on ordering pathway, not including clinic visit charges.

Answers to Common Question

Can you get tested at home?
Yes, multiple CLIA-partnered vendors sell cheek-swab kits that mail to your door, typically around $119–$129.

What is the cheapest option today?
Recent list prices show entry kits near $119, and add-on pricing of $65 when combined with certain panels.

Does Medicare or private insurance cover it?
Sometimes, when a clinician documents medical necessity. Many plans follow guidance that does not support routine MTHFR genotyping, which pushes costs to the patient.

Do you need a doctor’s order?
Home kits do not require one, while clinical labs usually do. Some direct-access platforms include a provider order in the purchase flow.

What should you do with results?
Discuss them with a clinician, especially if you have elevated homocysteine or relevant symptoms, and be aware that many associations advise against acting on MTHFR genotype alone.