Omega-3 Total (O3)

What is Omega-3 Total?

Omega-3 total measures the combined percentage of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) fatty acids in your blood. These essential fatty acids support heart health, brain function, and have anti-inflammatory properties that your body cannot produce on its own.

Why is it Tested?

Doctors test omega-3 levels to assess cardiovascular disease risk, evaluate anti-inflammatory status, and monitor patients taking fish oil supplements. Higher omega-3 levels are associated with reduced risk of heart disease, better brain health, and improved inflammatory balance.

Normal Ranges

Omega-3 index targets:

Optimal: Greater than 8% of total fatty acids
Intermediate: 4–8%
Low: Less than 4%

The omega-3 index above 8% is associated with the lowest risk of cardiovascular events and sudden cardiac death.

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 Omega-3 (<4%)

Low levels may indicate:

Increased cardiovascular disease risk
Higher inflammatory status
Insufficient dietary omega-3 intake
Poor conversion from plant sources
Need for fish oil supplementation

Intermediate Omega-3 (4-8%)

Moderate levels suggest:

Some cardiovascular protection
Room for improvement in anti-inflammatory status
Benefit from increased omega-3 intake
Moderate dietary or supplement intervention needed

How to Track Over Time

Monitoring omega-3 levels helps optimize cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory benefits through diet and supplementation. Rising levels indicate successful dietary changes or supplementation, while tracking helps maintain optimal levels for long-term health protection and inflammatory balance.

Omega-3 Total