Omega-3 and -6 Fatty Acids

Test Code

OMGA3-6

Quest Code

91001

CPT Codes
82542

Preferred Specimen

2 mL plasma collected in an EDTA (lavender-top) tube

Patient Preparation
Overnight fasting is required

Minimum Volume

0.6 mL

Other Acceptable Specimens

Serum collected in: Red-top tube (no gel)

Instructions

Centrifuge sample to separate plasma from cells. Transfer plasma to a plastic specimen transport container and mark the specimen type as plasma on the container.

Transport Container

Transport tube

Transport Temperature

Refrigerated

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: 7 days
Refrigerated: 14 days
Frozen: 35 days

Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Gross hemolysis • Lipemia • Grossly icteric • Plasma not collected in EDTA tubes • Serum separator tube (SST)

Methodology
Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

FDA Status
This test was developed and its analytical performance characteristics have been determined by Quest Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved by FDA. This assay has been validated pursuant to the CLIA regulations and is used for clinical purposes.

Setup Schedule

Night

Reference Range

Omega-3 (EPA+DHA) Index	1.4-4.9 %
Risk
Optimal	>3.2 %
Moderate	2.2-3.2 %
High	<2.2 %
Omega-6/Omega-3 Ratio	5.7-21.3
EPA/Arachidonic Acid Ratio	≤0.2
Arachidonic Acid	5.2-12.9 %
EPA	0.2-1.5 %
DHA	1.2-3.9 %

Clinical Significance

1. Baseline and monitoring of individuals with known CVD (acute and chronic) to determine Rx and compliance.
2. Identify patients with known CVD risk with low omega-3 levels who may be candidates for supplementation/therapy.
3. Monitor patients on omega-3 supplementation/therapy to determine efficacy of treatment.
4. Potential role in risk reduction for non-CVD outcomes-aged related macular degeneration, RA, cancer, etc. (early data).

Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute
33608 Ortega Highway
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675-2042

The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.