Free fatty acids (FFAs) are unbound fat molecules circulating in your blood that your cells use for energy. This test measures how much readily available fuel your body has between meals and during fasting.
Free fatty acids (FFAs) are unbound fat molecules circulating in your blood that your cells use for energy. This test measures how much readily available fuel your body has between meals and during fasting.
When elevated: Elevated free fatty acids may indicate increased fat breakdown, often seen during fasting, intense exercise, stress, or metabolic conditions like insulin resistance. High levels can also reflect poor glucose control or inadequate carbohydrate availability. When low: Low free fatty acids are generally less clinically concerning and may occur after eating a meal high in carbohydrates, during fed state, or with very high insulin levels that suppress fat breakdown.
Free fatty acids are a primary fuel source during endurance exercise and recovery periods, making this marker relevant for athletes optimizing fat metabolism. Higher FFAs during fasting or low-intensity training suggest efficient fat adaptation; tracking trends can help athletes gauge whether training load and nutrition are supporting metabolic flexibility and aerobic base development.
Turnaround Time
3 days (up to 7 days)
Fasting Required
No
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
$25.00$75
3.0× less than retail
Versus the typical direct-to-consumer retail price for this test (illustrative — consumer prices vary by provider and region).
$25.00
