Arachidonic Acid (AA)

What is Arachidonic Acid?

Arachidonic acid (AA) is an omega-6 fatty acid that plays important roles in brain function and inflammation. It’s measured as a percentage of total fatty acids in blood and serves as a precursor to inflammatory compounds called eicosanoids.

Why is it Tested?

Healthcare providers test arachidonic acid to assess inflammatory status, evaluate dietary fatty acid balance, and monitor patients with inflammatory conditions. It’s often measured alongside omega-3 fatty acids to determine the overall inflammatory potential of your fatty acid profile.

Normal Ranges

Typical arachidonic acid levels:

Optimal range: 6–11% of total fatty acids
Low: Less than 6%
Elevated: Greater than 11%

Optimal levels balance the need for some inflammation (immune function) while avoiding excessive inflammatory signaling.

Reference ranges vary by authority. Track yours across multiple standards with automatic unit conversions in LabsVault.

What do Abnormal Results Mean?

Abnormal results are not a diagnosis. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.

Low Arachidonic Acid (<6%)

Low levels may indicate:

Essential fatty acid deficiency
Inadequate dietary omega-6 intake
Malabsorption disorders
Possible impaired immune function
Need for dietary assessment

High Arachidonic Acid (>11%)

Elevated levels may suggest:

Increased inflammatory potential
Excessive omega-6 dietary intake
Imbalanced omega-6 to omega-3 ratio
Higher risk for inflammatory conditions
Need for dietary omega-3 increase

How to Track Over Time

Monitoring arachidonic acid levels helps optimize inflammatory balance through dietary changes. Tracking alongside omega-3 levels provides insight into overall fatty acid status and can guide supplementation or dietary modifications to achieve better inflammatory balance.

Arachidonic Acid