Ultimate Omega 3 And 6 Fatty Acids Blood Test

This test provides insights into whether you're getting enough anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats from sources like oily fish, flaxseed, or supplements, and whether your omega-6 levels (more common in vegetable oils and processed foods) are disproportionately high.

An imbalanced ratio may contribute to chronic inflammation and increased risk of metabolic or inflammatory conditions.

What is Omega-3 Index?

The omega-3 index measures the levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in your blood as a percentage of all the fatty acids in your blood. EPA and DHA are types of omega-3 essential fatty acids that are important for the formation of cell membranes as well as cardiovascular, brain and eye health. A higher omega-3 index is thought to be protective against cardiovascular disease.

What is Omega-6: Omega-3 Ratio?

Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids are essential to our health. However excess levels of omega-6 fatty acids are thought to promote inflammation within the body which may contribute to cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease and allergies. In contrast, omega-3 fatty acids are thought to be anti-inflammatory and so reduce the risk of these diseases. The omega-6: omega-3 ratio tells you the relative balance of each of these types of fatty acid in your blood enabling you to make dietary changes to optimise this balance.

What is AA:EPA Ratio?

Arachidonic acid (AA) is the principle omega-6 fatty acid. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is the principle omega-3 fatty acid. Omega-6 fatty acids are thought to be pro-inflammatory, causing inflammation within the body that may contribute to cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease and allergies.

In contrast, omega-3 fatty acids are thought to be anti-inflammatory and so reduce the risk of these diseases. The AA:EPA ratio helps to determine whether you have the optimal balance of essential fatty acids and so enables you to make dietary changes to improve this balance.

What is the Trans Fat Index?

The Trans Fat Index is a measure of the level of trans fats in your blood. Trans fats are unhealthy fats that are most commonly found in processed foods. High levels of trans fats are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, so this test allows you to determine whether your diet is increasing your risk of heart disease and stroke.

If you’re not sure exactly what you need, we encourage our circle to consult with a GP or one of our Registered Nutritionists before taking any blood tests. However, below you can find more information about this panel, and we hope it will help.

IS THE ULTIMATE OMEGA 3 AND 6 FATTY ACIDS BLOOD TEST RIGHT FOR YOU?

You should consider this test to help you with the following:

Health Goals: If you're focused on improving or monitoring heart health, understanding your Omega-3 levels and Omega 6 ratios is essintial. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to support heart health, reduce inflammation, and improve cholesterol levels.

Dietary Habits: If you follow a diet that is low in fish or seeds (common sources of Omega-3), you might want to check if you're getting enough of these essential fatty acids.

WHY HAVE THE ULTIMATE OMEGA 3 AND 6 FATTY ACIDS BLOOD TEST?

Fatty acid tests, which measure the levels of different types of fats in the blood, are important for several reasons:

Heart Health: Fatty acids, especially Omega-3 and Omega-6, play crucial roles in heart health. High levels of certain fats, like Omega-3 fatty acids, are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases. Understanding your fatty acid profile can help you manage risk factors for heart disease.

Inflammatory Conditions: Certain fatty acids can influence inflammation in the body. For example, Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties, which can be beneficial for conditions such as arthritis, while high levels of Omega-6 fatty acids may promote inflammation if not balanced correctly with Omega-3s.

Nutritional Balance: A fatty acid test can reveal imbalances in your diet, showing whether you might be consuming too much or too little of certain types of fats. This can be particularly useful for people following specific diets, like vegan or vegetarian diets, where some essential fatty acids might be less abundant.

Mental Health: Emerging research suggests that Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, are important for brain health and may impact mood disorders. Measuring these levels can help in understanding and managing conditions like depression.

Chronic Disease Management: Fatty acids affect the risk and management of various chronic diseases beyond heart conditions, including diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Understanding your fatty acid levels can help tailor dietary strategies to manage these conditions more effectively.

Overall Health Monitoring: Regular testing of fatty acid levels can serve as part of an overall health monitoring strategy. It provides insights into how your diet and lifestyle are affecting your health at a molecular level, potentially guiding adjustments to improve long-term health outcomes.

SYMPTOMS AND TAGS

Bones, Cardiovascular risk worry, Chronic fatigue, Fatigue, Joint pain, Joint swelling, Mental health, Nutrition, Weight gain and Weight loss

1. Fill out the contact form on the main page
2. Choose your preferred panel
3. Select between a Home Kit (via post), a Clinic Appointment, or VIP service
4. Make the payment online.
5. We'll contact you to arrange a clinic appointment or a VIP service and email you with your home kit delivery details.

Not sure which panel or test is right for you? Reach out to one of our Registered Nutritionists  

COLLECTION OPTIONS

1. VIP: Home/Office/Hotel visit by our phlebotomist – Available in London UK only (1-3 days)
2. Clinic visit (24+ UK locations, 1-3 days)
3. At-home kit (3-6 days)

VIP Phlebotomist Visit (London Only):

Perfect for busy individuals and teams.

• Available across London.
• Once payment is received, our team will contact you to arrange your appointment — usually the same day if booked before 10 am, or the next day if later.
• Additional patients beyond 10 are charged £25 each, invoiced after the visit.
• Please select the total number of blood tests at checkout so our phlebotomist can bring the right equipment.
• Your blood will be collected by a trained phlebotomist and delivered directly to our lab for fast, accurate results.

In-Clinic Appointment:

Quick, professional, and convenient.

• Same or next working day appointment.
• We’ll contact you within 60 minutes of booking to arrange your visit.
• Your blood will be collected by a trained phlebotomist and sent directly to our lab for fast, accurate results.
• Choose your nearest clinic and skip the wait. (Check Locations)

Home Kit:

Test from the comfort of your home — anywhere in mainland UK.

• Everything you need to collect your sample in about 15 minutes.
• Return it to our lab via Prepaid Royal Mail  Tracked 24.
• Free replacement kit if anything goes wrong or more blood is needed — so you can order with confidence.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Please fast for 12 hours before your test, consuming only water during this period.

You can take your regular medications as prescribed.

Complete the blood test before taking any omega-3 supplements.

Clinic appointment - how to prepare for the Ultimate Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids Blood Test

If you are coming into one of our clinics for the test, this is what you need to do before you arrive:

Read the instructions in the SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS section

Drink plenty of water about an hour before the appointment.

Avoid coffee/tea/energy drinks. Water is good!

That’s it! We’ll do the rest.

Home test kit - how it works with the Ultimate Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids Blood Test

Our blood test kits are simple and convenient.

The most important step in doing a blood test at home is to read the instructions very carefully. The process is very simple, but there are a few pitfalls you need to be aware of - you will save yourself a lot of time if you do it right the first time around!

Full printed instructions will arrive with your kit - please read them carefully.

Drink plenty before taking the sample and warm your hands up in the sink with warm water for a few minutes. This will make your blood flow much better.

Fill the tubes to the top line. We don’t need much blood; filling tubes to the top line is about 15 drops of blood.

Post the samples on the same day you take them, before midday, Monday to Thursday. If you post it any other time it might get to us late or be stuck at a sorting office over the weekend. You will then have to do it again.

Package the sample in the same box the kit came in. Otherwise, Royal Mail or DPD will reject it. The sample tubes go into a pouch, then into a cardboard box, and then into a return envelope. All of this is provided in the kit: please use it.

We look forward to receiving your sample in our lab!

5 BIOMARKERS AND INVESTIGATIONS

FATTY ACIDS

• Omega-3 Index
• Omega-6 to Omega-3 Ratio
• AA:EPA Ratio
• Trans Fat Index

We always encourage to visit one of our Clinique for any of our blood tests.

HOME KIT VIA ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 24

This service costs additional £19.00 and includes:

Available everywhere in mainland UK.

Includes everything you need to take a safe and suitable blood sample in about 15 minutes.

Post the sample back to our laboratory via Royal Mail Tracked 24.

CLINIC APPOINTMENT - SAME OR NEXT WORKING DAY

This service costs additional £38.00 and includes:

• No waiting. We will call you within 2 hours to book your appointment for the same day when purchased before 10am or following day if later than 10am.
• Quick blood collection from your vein, by our professional phlebotomist.
• Blood transported directly to our laboratory - for quick and accurate results.

No exclusion for this test. Both options are available. We recommend in Clinique appointment when possible.

We are extremely fast, with some results available within hours and others within a working day or less, from the time your sample is in our lab. However, this is not a guarantee and should not be taken as such. This is the guideline turnaround time that can be shorter or longer.

THIS IS NOT A GUARANTEED TURNAROUND TIME.

We are extremely proud of our very short turnaround times and very efficient laboratory processes; you will receive your results as soon as they are available and have completed clinical validation.

Whilst we accommodate the shortest of time scales, with some results available within hours, for this particular test the usual turnaround time is: 16 working days.

DR. ADAM STATEN - GP VIEW AND RED FLAG SYMPTOMS

The test identifies the levels of various fatty acids, such as Omega-3 (EPA and DHA), Omega-6, saturated fats, and trans fats.

The balance between these can significantly influence your health and you should consider this test as part of overall health management plan.

A favorable Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio is associated with reduced inflammation and lower risk of chronic diseases.

Red flag symptoms for the Ultimate Omega 3 and 6 Fatty Acids Blood Test

Please get in touch with your GP if you are experiencing any severe symptoms such as:

• Skin issues
• Severe fatigue
• Heart problems or irregular heartbeats
• Joint and bone problems

Can I see a GP to discuss my Results?

Yes, usually the same or next day.

Our fantastic partner clinical team of consultants and GPs. Once you have your results, you can book an online video consultation to discuss your results.

Our clinical team consists of practicing NHS and private GPs, who work closely with our laboratory and can tell you what your blood test results mean for you. Having an integrated laboratory and GP services makes your health journey seamless and extremely efficient.

This service is not included in the price of the test, it is charged separately, should you wish to book it.

Will I have a general explanation of my results?

Yes, our doctors put a huge amount of effort into your online Health Dashboard, which will have explanations of what each biomarker is, the normal reference ranges and what it means if you are outside of them.

What does a fatty acids test measure?

A fatty acids test measures the levels of various fatty acids in your blood. This includes different types of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, as well as saturated and trans fats.

The test provides insights into the balance of these fats, which is crucial for assessing health risks related to heart disease, inflammation, and other metabolic conditions.

Why is it important to test for fatty acids in the blood?

Testing for fatty acids is important because it helps identify nutritional imbalances or deficiencies that can affect overall health. Imbalances can lead to chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and inflammatory conditions.

The test results can guide dietary interventions, such as increasing intake of omega-3 rich foods or reducing saturated and trans fats, to improve health outcomes.

How should I prepare for a fatty acids test?

Preparation requires fasting for 12 hours before the test to ensure accuracy in measuring the fatty acids in your blood.

Only water is allowed during the fasting period.

It is also recommended to avoid taking omega-3 supplements before the test, as they can temporarily alter your fatty acid levels.

If you are on any medication, please check for any special instructions with your prescribing doctor.

QUICK AND ACCURATE RESULTS DIRECT FROM THE LABORATORY.

We partner with regulated laboratories and accredited clinics that manufacture their own approved home sample collection kits. Your results are looked after by our fantastic clinical governance team and a super-talented biomedical science team.

When you book your test with us - you book directly with the lab. This means accuracy and responsible duty of care, direct access to the provider and extremely fast turnaround times.