Omega‑3 levels can be measured with a blood test that evaluates fatty acids such as EPA, DHA, and ALA. This test also includes ratios that may provide additional context about fatty acid balance.

Results offer general information about your fatty acid profile and should be interpreted with your healthcare provider as part of a broader assessment of your health.

A deficiency of essential fatty acids, either omega-3s or omega-6s, can cause rough, scaly skin and dermatitis.

Omega‑3 and omega‑6 fatty acids are essential nutrients involved in normal body functions, including cell structure and signaling pathways. Major health organizations recommend getting enough omega-3s as part of a balanced diet. Regularly eating fish and seafood is associated with a lower risk for cardiovascular disease. This test can help guide dietary recommendations to support your long-term health.

This test provides general information about fatty acid levels. It is not used to diagnose or monitor medical conditions.

Because many factors can influence these levels, your results should be reviewed with your healthcare provider, who can interpret them in the context of your health history, diet, and other laboratory findings.

If you are interested in increasing omega‑3 intake, general nutrition guidance includes:
 

• Eating fish (such as salmon, sardines, or mackerel) about twice per week
• Choosing lean proteins (poultry without skin, fish), unprocessed meats, low‑fat dairy products
• Replacing butter with vegetable oils (olive, canola, soybean) or trans fat‑free tub margarine
• Avoid trans fats when possible (often found in some fried, highly processed, packaged baked foods); choose trans fat‑free options
• Adding plant-based sources of omega-3s like walnuts, flaxseed, and chia seeds to your diet
• Considering supplements with guidance from a healthcare provider and personalizing any dietary or supplement changes based on overall health

Your testing will be performed in a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory. Labcorp provides leading-edge medical laboratory tests and services through a national network of primary clinical laboratories and specialty testing laboratories. Our labs perform regular quality assurance testing to ensure our results are accurate.

Your results will be provided to you through our secure online portal to view or print. Results are also made available through a secure portal to the independent healthcare provider who placed your test order.  If you are accessing your results through your Labcorp Patient™ account, all users linked to the account will have access to all OnDemand test results. Results may also be provided to a local, state, and/or federal health authority; for example, many states require the testing laboratory and physician to report test results for certain communicable diseases, such as COVID-19, to local or state health departments.  

If you have questions or comments regarding the Labcorp Notice of Privacy Practices, or have a complaint about our use or disclosure of your PHI or our privacy practices, please contact: privacyofficer@labcorp.com, call us at (877) 234-4722 (877-23-HIPAA) and ask for the Labcorp HIPAA Privacy Officer, or send a written request to: HIPAA Privacy Officer, Labcorp, 531 South Spring Street, Burlington, NC 27215. You also may file a complaint with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Visit the Labcorp OnDemand® website to browse and purchase laboratory tests and create your Labcorp Patient™ account to view your results. All Labcorp OnDemand testing requires an order from an authorized healthcare professional. For your convenience, Labcorp OnDemand has contracted with independent professional entities (collectively, Providers) to deliver healthcare provider services. Visit a Labcorp location for sample collection; or, if using an at-home collection kit, collect your sample yourself. We’ll let you know when your results are ready and can be accessed through your Labcorp Patient™ account.

To align with clinical best practices, we’ve set an age maximum of 100 for consumer-initiated testing. This limit was set to encourage individuals in more advanced age groups - who may have complex medical needs - to receive personalized guidance about testing from their healthcare providers.