Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP), Plasma
A blood marker of astrocyte injury, increasingly used in dementia and brain-injury evaluation.
Consider this test if:
- Investigating memory loss, cognitive decline, or mild cognitive impairment alongside imaging and other markers
- Evaluating recent head trauma where brain injury is a concern
- Following a neurological condition such as multiple sclerosis where glial injury is being monitored
- Acute stroke symptoms where distinguishing hemorrhage matters
- Building a baseline because of a strong family history of dementia
- HSA/FSA eligible
- Typical results in 1-3 days · Reviewed by a real clinician
- Drawn at a CLIA/CAP-accredited lab near you ·
Pre-test considerations
No fasting required. A standard blood draw into an EDTA (lavender-top) tube. For meaningful comparison over time, keep to the same specimen type (plasma) rather than switching between plasma and serum.
Video consult with your Care Team
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What this test is for
GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein) is the structural backbone protein of astrocytes, the support cells that make up roughly a third of the central nervous system and help form the blood-brain barrier. When astrocytes are damaged or activated by injury or neurodegeneration, GFAP is released and crosses into the bloodstream, so a higher plasma level reflects glial injury and reactive astrocytosis. Elevated GFAP is linked to traumatic brain injury, intracerebral hemorrhage in acute stroke, multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, and the neurodegenerative dementias, and it rises in Alzheimer's disease and predicts amyloid positivity and future conversion in people with mild cognitive impairment. It is a marker of injury rather than a diagnosis of any one condition, so the result is read alongside symptoms, imaging, and related markers.
This is the plasma (EDTA) version of the test. A separate serum GFAP test measures the same protein from a clotted sample; the two are not interchangeable, so for tracking over time, stay with one specimen type.
- Specimen
- Plasma
- Method
- Immunoassay
- Measures
- Mass concentration
What you'll learn
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Insights that connect the dots. A clinician reads your whole picture, not one result in isolation, connecting family history, past results, and lifestyle into clear next steps.
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Your personalized action plan. Nutrition, supplements, and training in one clinician-reviewed protocol, updated as your results change.
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Track your trends. Upload results from any lab and see each biomarker trend over time, so you know what is working.
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Never miss a recheck. Mito tells you what is worth retesting and when, then reminds you so nothing slips.
What to expect
- 1 Book instantly
Click, book, done. Choose a convenient lab location near you. Transparent, up-front pricing.
- 2 Quick lab visit
Testing to fit your busy schedule, usually 15 minutes or less. Walk-in and appointments available.
- 3 Typical results in 1-3 days
Your results post straight to your dashboard as soon as the lab completes them.
- 4 Expert guidance
Included with Mito membership. A clinician reviews your results and your personalized action plan follows, with clear next steps.
Everything your health needs,
in one membership
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Every test at our cost
Members pay our cost on every test, with lab fees passed straight through. The full receipt is itemized, never padded.
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Continuous tracking, all in one place
Upload past labs and watch your trends over time. Every marker and visit lives in one longitudinal record, so all your care stays together.
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Year-round clinician support
Text anytime and get clinician-reviewed answers. When you want to go deeper, 1:1 consultations are available at affordable rates.
All for $9/month
Order any test or consult without joining. For $9/month, members unlock member prices, trend tracking, and year-round clinician guidance.
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Frequently asked questions
View all FAQsHow does pricing work?
Every test shows the member price next to the standard non-member price, so you can see what membership saves you. The member price is our cost, covering the lab and what it takes to run the service. It is never a profit on the test itself. Mito makes its money on the $9 membership, not on marking up your tests. Membership is $9 per month, and any applicable lab order or draw fee is itemized before you pay.
Where do I get tested?
Choose an available partner lab at checkout. If your cart contains multiple blood tests, Mito helps consolidate the eligible tests at one lab when possible. At-home kits and scans follow the collection or appointment process shown on their product page.
Is this eligible for HSA/FSA?
Yes. Eligible tests can be paid for with an HSA or FSA card at checkout.
When will I get my results?
Your results appear in your Mito dashboard after the laboratory completes processing. A clinician then reviews them before your analysis and personalized action plan are finalized. Timing varies by test, and specialty assays and at-home kits may take longer.
Do I need a physician's order?
No. Mito provides the laboratory order when one is required, so you do not need to arrange a separate physician visit before purchasing.
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