The routine measurement of L-[methyl-11C]methionine in human plasma after i.v. injection of the tracer is described. The protein-free plasma metabolites of the tracer were analyzed using a cation-exchange column (Aminex A-6) eluted with a pH 4.25 citrate buffer. The ratios of L-[methyl-11C]methionine for the total radioactivity decreased gradually, and the standard deviations among 19 humans were relatively small for 30 min: 97.2 +/- 1.4%, 5 min; 92.6 +/- 2.1%, 10 min; 89.4 +/- 4.0%, 15 min; 84.1 +/- 3.1%, 20 min; 73.1 +/- 9.8%, 30 min; 45.0 +/- 16.8%, 60 min. A convenient analysis using a Bond elute SCX cartridge showed slightly larger ratios than those measured by liquid chromatography.