Complete fatty acid profiling including Omega-3, Omega-6, monounsaturated, saturated, and trans fatty acids with calculated indices and ratios. Performed by gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection (GC-FID).
This method provides a comprehensive assessment of fatty acid status from a single dried blood spot, enabling evaluation of essential fatty acid intake, cardiovascular risk markers, and inflammatory balance.
Clinical indications include:
| Analyte / Group | Components | Clinical Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Omega-3 fatty acids | ALA, EPA, DPA, DHA | Anti-inflammatory; essential for cardiovascular and neurological health |
| Omega-6 fatty acids | LA, GLA, DGLA, AA | Pro-inflammatory in excess; essential in balance with Omega-3 |
| Monounsaturated | Oleic acid and others | Associated with cardiovascular protection |
| Saturated fatty acids | Palmitic, stearic, and others | Structural and metabolic roles; excess linked to CVD risk |
| Trans fatty acids | Industrial and ruminant trans fats | Associated with increased cardiovascular risk |
| Calculated indices | Omega-3 Index, Trans Fat Index, Omega-6:Omega-3 ratio, AA:EPA ratio | Composite markers for clinical interpretation |
Fatty acids are fundamental components of cell membranes and play critical roles in energy metabolism, signal transduction, gene expression, and inflammatory regulation. The balance between different fatty acid classes — particularly Omega-3 and Omega-6 — has profound implications for cardiovascular, neurological, and immune health.
Target 8–12% for optimal cardiovascular protection
Key marker of inflammatory balance
Lower is better; no safe threshold established
The Omega-3 Index, defined as the percentage of EPA and DHA in red blood cell membranes, has emerged as a robust biomarker for cardiovascular risk. An index below 4% is associated with the highest risk of cardiac events, while an index of 8–12% is considered cardioprotective. Unlike plasma levels, the Omega-3 Index reflects long-term dietary intake over approximately 120 days.
DHA is particularly important during pregnancy and early development, as it is critical for foetal brain and retinal development. Maternal DHA status directly influences supply to the foetus, making prenatal assessment clinically relevant.
Fatty acid profiling supports evidence-based dietary counselling across a wide range of clinical scenarios, from cardiovascular prevention to neuropsychiatric support and prenatal care.
The test is performed using gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection (GC-FID), the gold standard for fatty acid profiling. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) are prepared from the dried blood spot and separated on a highly polar capillary column, providing baseline resolution of individual fatty acid species including positional and geometric isomers.
DBS collection enables convenient home sampling without venepuncture. The dried blood spot matrix reflects red blood cell membrane composition, providing a stable, long-term measure of fatty acid status rather than a snapshot of recent dietary intake.
Whether you need testing services, method transfer, or white-label kit development — we'd love to hear from you.