Blood draw
Omega-3 Fatty Acid Profile
EPA, DHA, total fatty acids and the omega-3 index in whole blood.
€ 87,00
All tests
Heart and vessels · Blood
DHA
The omega-3 fish fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid; the amount in the blood mainly reflects how much oily fish or fish oil you take in.
At a glance
- Measured in blood
- In 2 test panels
- No special preparation
Explanation
DHA: what is measured?
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid found mainly in oily fish such as salmon, herring and sardines, and in fish oil and algae oil. The body can only make small amounts of DHA itself from the plant-based omega-3 fatty acid ALA, so the value depends mainly on diet. DHA is a building block of cell walls and, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum), is needed for normal functioning of the brain and vision. The laboratory measures the amount of DHA in whole blood (EDTA blood), in milligrams per liter. Together with EPA, DHA is the basis of the omega-3 index: EPA plus DHA as a percentage of total fatty acids.
What can it detect?
- Low intake of fish fatty acids, for example when eating little or no fish
- The effect of eating more fish or using fish oil or algae oil
Result
What does the result mean?
DHA too high
A high DHA usually fits eating oily fish regularly or using a fish oil or algae oil supplement. On its own it has no harmful meaning. However, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum), high doses of supplements with EPA and DHA can increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders, especially around 4 grams per day, and slow blood clotting from a few grams per day; 2 grams of DHA per day can slightly raise LDL cholesterol. A high DHA does not mean that cholesterol, blood pressure or smoking count for less.
DHA too low
A low DHA usually fits eating little or no fish, for example with a vegetarian or vegan diet. It causes no symptoms itself and is not a disease. The Health Council of the Netherlands advises eating fish once a week, preferably oily fish; during pregnancy the advice is fish twice a week, or a daily supplement with 250 to 450 milligrams of DHA for those who cannot manage that. Whether a low blood value on its own increases the risk of heart disease has not been established.
After an abnormal result
An abnormal DHA value usually does not lead to follow-up tests by the GP. With a low value, the general dietary advice of the Health Council of the Netherlands is the starting point: fish once a week, preferably oily fish, or a supplement with EPA and DHA for those who do not eat fish.
Reliability
How reliable is the test?
There are no Dutch cut-off values for this test. The value is mainly a measure of fish or fish oil intake over the past weeks to months. The multidisciplinary guideline on cardiovascular risk management does not recommend fish oil supplements to lower LDL cholesterol or the chance of cardiovascular disease, and neither does the Dutch GP guideline (NHG) for lowering LDL; a DHA result does not change that advice. The dietary advice for pregnant women is also based on fish intake, not on a blood value.
What can affect the result?
- This result is an amount in whole blood (mg/l). Studies and other laboratories often measure in red blood cells or plasma, or give a percentage; those numbers cannot be compared one to one with this result.
- A meal with oily fish or a fish oil capsule shortly before the sample collection can temporarily raise the value.
- Starting or stopping supplements changes the value gradually, over weeks.
- The reference values differ by laboratory and have not been set by a Dutch professional association.
Who it is for
Who is the test useful for?
Useful for
The test is mainly informative if you want to know whether your intake of fish fatty acids is sufficient, for example with a vegetarian or vegan diet or when using a supplement. For dietary advice the test is usually not needed, not even around pregnancy: the advice of the Health Council of the Netherlands is based on how often you eat fish. The test is not suitable for estimating the risk of cardiovascular disease.
How common is it?
There are no Dutch figures on DHA values in the blood. A low value is to be expected in people who eat little or no fish and do not use a supplement with EPA and DHA.
No Dutch figures available
Drawbacks and risks
- A low value can cause worry about the heart and blood vessels or the brain, while it has not been shown that raising it prevents disease in adults without symptoms.
- A result can prompt high doses of fish oil, which can increase the risk of heart rhythm disorders and slow blood clotting.
Evidence
Sources
This explanation is based on Dutch guidelines and independent information. It is general information, not a diagnosis. Discuss an abnormal result with your GP.
More about risks and results- Voedingscentrum: Omega 3 en omega 6 (advies Gezondheidsraad)
- FMS Richtlijnendatabase, richtlijn CVRM: Voeding bij CVRM
- Harris WS. The omega-3 index as a risk factor for coronary heart disease. Am J Clin Nutr 2008;87:1997S-2002S (PubMed-samenvatting)
- NHG-Standaard Cardiovasculair risicomanagement (M84)