Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids Test

The Essential Fatty Acids Test measures a total of 24 fats and 17 fat ratios. It particularly examines the essential fatty acids, fats that our bodies cannot make and must obtain from food. Essential fats play an important role in regulating inflammation, forming cell membranes, and in the optimal function of the brain, nerves, eyes, skin, connective tissue, blood vessels, and every cell in the body.

Health conditions this test is used to assess
This test allows doctors to uncover imbalances associated with heart disease, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, diabetes, ashtma, PMS, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-partum depression. Inflammatory disorders, a direct result of clinical imbalances in fatty acid metabolism, are one of the most common diagnoses observed by clinicians.

What does this test involve?
Because fatty acids reside in cell membranes, the most accurate assessment is examining levels in the cell membranes of your red blood cells. This test requires an overnight fast (at least 12 hours) followed by collection of a blood sample by your doctor. The sample is then sent to the lab for analysis.

How can I get this test done?
Talk to your health care professional about your symptoms and ask if this test would be useful for you. It can be done through: Great Smokies Diagnostic Laboratory.