Specimen: Serum OR Plasma Volume: 1 mL
This test measures major plasma fatty acids and explicitly reports an Omega-3 Fatty Acid Index (along with an Omega-6 Fatty Acid Index, EPA/AA ratio, Omega-3/Omega-6 ratio, and levels of EPA, DHA, ALA, etc.). It also includes indices for saturated fats, trans fats, monounsaturated fats, and unsaturated/saturated ratios. This is designed for cardiovascular risk assessment and dietary guidance, with reference ranges for the Omega-3 Index (e.g., >4.50% optimal in some contexts).
Fatty acid balance reflects your body's ability to mobilize and use fats for energy during exercise and recovery. Athletes benefit from monitoring this marker because optimal fat metabolism supports endurance performance, reduces reliance on carbohydrate stores, and may indicate whether training is promoting efficient aerobic adaptation or metabolic stress.
Turnaround Time
3 days (up to 9 days)
Method
Gas liquid column chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) after lipid extraction
verifiedGold StandardMass spectrometry — higher accuracy, especially at low concentrations
Order online
Choose your lab and check out. We send your lab requisition automatically — no doctor visit needed.
Get your sample collected
Visit a lab service center near you for a quick blood draw (or book at-home phlebotomy where available).
See your results
Your results land in your Insider portal, ready to review and act on — that easy.
Your price
$85.00$255
3.0× less than retail
Versus the typical direct-to-consumer retail price for this test (illustrative — consumer prices vary by provider and region).
$85.00
Peer-reviewed sources supporting the educational content on this page.
Specimen: Serum OR Plasma Volume: 1 mL
This test measures major plasma fatty acids and explicitly reports an Omega-3 Fatty Acid Index (along with an Omega-6 Fatty Acid Index, EPA/AA ratio, Omega-3/Omega-6 ratio, and levels of EPA, DHA, ALA, etc.).
The Fatty Acid Balance test starts at $85.00 at Labcorp. No doctor's visit and no insurance needed; we do not bill insurance. Fitomics Insider members pay from $75.00.
Results for the Fatty Acid Balance test are typically ready about 3 days after your draw, and up to 9 days for some samples. Your results land in your Insider portal.
No. When you order the Fatty Acid Balance test from Fitomics Research Labs, a licensed physician in our 50-state network reviews and signs your requisition after checkout, and it lands in your portal and inbox. Then visit any Labcorp, Quest, or BioReference patient service center for your draw; results post to your Insider portal.
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