Omega-3 Index — EPA + DHA in Red Blood Cells — 60-Second Protocol
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lab guide · 2026-09-12
This one is measured inside your red blood cells, not floating in the plasma.
The omega-3 index is a blood test for EPA and DHA, the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish and other seafood. It is read against the reference range reported by the testing lab.
The protocol
| Units | as reported by your lab |
| Standard range | not published on the cited sources; read against the range your lab reports (ranges vary by lab) |
| any value | compare with the reference range and categories on your lab report, and ask your clinician how to read it |
| below lab range | ask your clinician whether your food intake of EPA and DHA is adequate |
| Diet | two servings of fish a week, particularly fatty fish (AHA) |
| Plant ala | the body converts only very small amounts of ALA into EPA and DHA |
| Supplement | do not start or change an omega-3 supplement without a clinician |
This is not a number you can estimate from your diet — the finger-prick kit I use is how I get mine.
Omega-3 Index Home Test
A finger-prick home test that measures the EPA+DHA content of your red blood cells — the omega-3 index — so you have a measured number to discuss with a clinician instead of a guess.
See it in the shop →Illustrative photo. We may earn a commission — the affiliate link and the full disclosure live on our shop page.
Full transcript
This one is measured inside your red blood cells, not floating in the plasma. The omega-3 index is the EPA and DHA content of red cell membranes as a percentage of total fatty acids, and it carries a strong inverse association with cardiovascular and all-cause mortality across cohorts. Under four percent is high cardiovascular risk. Four to eight is average. Eight to twelve is the protective band. Twelve and above shows no clear added benefit and a possible bleeding risk. Fatty fish two or three times a week; if you supplement, doses vary — check your own source and retest in four months. agegen.ai. Generate your prime age! ~~ Mr. Age
Sources
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-Consumer/
- https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/fats/fish-and-omega-3-fatty-acids
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