Fatty Acid Blood Spot Test

Brand

Diagnostic Insight

Size

1 Test kit

Common Uses

Why test your fatty acid levels? Testing guides and supports dosage recommendations of EFA's, so this level can be adjusted if needed. Inflammatory balance Improper fatty acid intake affects the balance of anti- and pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, increasing health risks. Statins Among the top five drugs prescribed last year, statins have been shown to unfavorably alter this inflammatory balance. Increased free radical production Consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) without increasing antioxidant intake will cause increased production of free radicals. Immune suppression Excessive consumption of omega-3 fatty acids can suppress immune function, leading to infections and poor wound healing.

Suggested Dosage

How to take your specimen. You must fast for 8 hours before the test is taken. You can have water. It is not necessary to discontinue nutritional supplements or oral hormones prior to this test. Abnormalities that may be found will reveal special needs that have not been met by recent dietary and supplemental intake.

The test kit contains two lancets, alcohol pads and a collection card. Write your name, date of birth and date of collection on the collection card using a permanent marker. Make sure you are taking your test on a Monday or Tuesday, as the results are shipped from Australia (where they are frozen) to USA on a Tuesday and a Thursday. Once you have taken your sample, and it is dried and in the appropriate collection bag, you need to phone FedEx and arrange for an over night delivery to Australia. This is at your cost.

This is how your take the sample. Remove the lancet from packaging. One end of the lancet has a large white tip with a small hole in the center. This will be the end that you push against your finger to engage the needle. Warm your hands under water for a few minutes. Selecting the ring or middle finger, gently massage the entire length of the finger to increase the temperature and circulation. Clean the tip of the finger with a sterile alcohol pad. Choose a site on the middle fingertip. Hang arm down and gently shake fingers for a few seconds to increase blood pools in the finger. Holding the hand lower than heart level, again gently massage the lower portion of the finger. Firmly grasp the lower portion of the finger to restrict return circulation. Push the large white tip end of the lancet firmly against fingertip to depress the tip and release the needle. The needle will immediately retract safely after depression. Apply gentle, continuous pressure to the finger to form repeated blood drops. As each drop forms, touch the tip of the drop to a circle on the absorbent collection card. Do not smear. Repeat until blood has soaked to the border of each circle on the collection card. Check the back of the card to make sure each circle has been completely filled. If unable to get sufficient blood from the first collection to fill all circles on the card, repeat the collection instructions using a different finger. Allow absorbent collection card to air dry overnight, up to 24 hours before placing in small re-closable plastic bag. Dispose of the lancet in a suitable container (out of the reach of children). Also dispose of any unused lancets. Ship as soon as possible, Monday through Friday. Please include a completed Test Requisition Form with specimen. Do not ship package unless blood spots are completely filled on the collection card and air dried overnight, up to 24 hours or specimen will be unusable. Your test results take approximately 3-4 weeks to come back from the med lab.

Health Information

Essential fatty acids are just that, Essential. We must consume these, as our body cannot manufacture them. Seed and nut oils are rich sources of these, as are specific fish. The integrity of the cell wall is determined by the amount of essential fatty acids around them. The weaker the cell wall becomes, the poor our health will be. This test enables your levels of essential fatty acids to be measured. It measures Omega-3 EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), Omega-6 LA (linoleic acid), GLA (gamma linolenic acid), AA (arachidonic acid), Trans - Total C:18 trans and it calculates these important indicators: AA:EPA ratio - a measure of "silent" inflammation, EPA + DHA % - an early cardiovascular disease risk indicator. LA:GLA Ratio - Alpha 6 desaturase inhibition by decreasing zinc or increasing magnesium, increasing insulin, or dietary excess of saturated fatty acids, EPA:DGLA Ratio - helps balance intake of Series-3 and Series-1 eicosanoid precursors.

Safety Information

Keep out of reach of Children.