Test Details
Methodology
Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS)
Result Turnaround Time
5 - 7 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Use
Essential fatty acid analysis is useful in nutritional monitoring of patients with known essential fatty acid disorders or routine nutritional monitoring for intake and absorption of essential fatty acids.
Limitations
This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Labcorp. It has not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Serum (preferred) or plasma, frozen
Volume
0.5 mL
Minimum Volume
0.3 mL (Note: This volume does not allow for repeat testing.)
Container
Preferred: Plastic tube containing frozen serum obtained from a plain red-top blood collection tube
Acceptable: Plastic tube containing frozen serum obtained from gel-separated (SST) tube, frozen plasma obtained from EDTA lavender top tube or frozen plasma obtained from lithium heparin green-top tube
Collection Instructions
Collect sample by venipuncture into an appropriate blood collection tube (red-top blood collection tube is preferred) and mix immediately by gentle inversion. Allow serum samples to clot for at least 10 minutes. Separate plasma/serum from red cells by centrifugation within 45 minutes of collection. Transfer serum or plasma to a plastic transport tube and freeze.
To avoid delays in turnaround time when requesting multiple tests on frozen specimens, please submit separate frozen specimens for each test requested.
Stability Requirements
| Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
| Frozen | Red-top serum: <-10°C for 31 days Red-top serum: <-70°C for 54 days Lithium heparin plasma, sodium heparin plasma, EDTA plasma and gel-separated serum: <-10°C for 30 days |
Storage Instructions
Centrifuge, transfer serum or plasma to a plastic transport tube and freeze immediately. Transport frozen.
Patient Preparation
Patients should fast overnight (12-14 hours).
Please note: Infants and individuals suspected of having a fatty acid oxidation disorder should not fast prior to testing because of the risk of acute metabolic decompensation. For these patients, collect the specimen immediately before feeding. If the patient is receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN), the specimen can be collected under normal conditions.
Patients must not consume any alcohol for 24 hours prior to collecting.
Patient age is required as well as information regarding treatment, family history and tentative diagnosis.
Causes for Rejection
Specimen thawed or not frozen; grossly lipemic or grossly hemolyzed specimen
References
De Biase I, Tortorelli S, Kratz L, et al. Laboratory diagnosis of disorders of Peroxisomal biogenesis and function: a technical standard of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). Genet Med. 2020 Apr;22(4):686-697. PubMed 31822849
Jeppesen PB, Christensen MS, Hoy CE, Mortensen PB. Essential fatty acid deficiency in patients with severe fat malabsorption. Am J Clin Nutr. 1997 Mar;65(3):837-843. PubMed 9062537
Kish-Trier E, Schwarz EL, Pasquali M, Yuzyuk T. Quantation of total fatty acids in plasma and serum by GC-NI-MS. Clin Mass Spectrom. 2016 Dec 20:2:11-17. PubMed 39192840
Labcorp. Plasma Acid Reference Intervals. Accessed December 2025 at https://www.labcorp.com/test-menu/resources/plasma-amino-acid-reference-intervals.
Van Veldhoven PP. Biochemistry and genetics of inherited disorders of peroxisomal fatty acid metabolism. J Lipid Res. 2010 Oct 5;51(10):2863-2895. PubMed 20558530
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070324 | Interpretation | 49262-9 | |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070339 | Director | 69426-5 | |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070237 | Lauric Acid, C12:0 | nmol/mL | 35150-2 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070240 | Myristic Acid, C14:0 | nmol/mL | 35157-7 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070242 | Hexadecenoic Acid,C16:1w9 | nmol/mL | 35155-1 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070244 | Palmitoleic Acid,C16:1w7 | nmol/mL | 35162-7 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070245 | Palmitic Acid, C16:0 | nmol/mL | 35161-9 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070246 | g-Linolenic Acid,C18:3w6 | nmol/mL | 35163-5 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070248 | a-Linolenic Acid,C18:3w3 | nmol/mL | 35164-3 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070249 | Linoleic Acid, C18:2w6 | nmol/mL | 35165-0 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070251 | Oleic Acid,C18:1w9 | nmol/mL | 35166-8 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070252 | Vaccenic Acid,C18:1w7 | nmol/mL | 35167-6 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070253 | Stearic Acid, C18:0 | nmol/mL | 35149-4 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070254 | EPA, C20:5w3 | nmol/mL | 35173-4 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070255 | Arachidonic Acid, C20:4w6 | nmol/mL | 35168-4 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070256 | Mead Acid,C20:3w9 | nmol/mL | 35172-6 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070257 | h-g-Linolenic, C20:3w6 | nmol/mL | 35171-8 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070258 | Arachidic Acid, C20:0 | nmol/mL | 35169-2 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070262 | DHA, C22:6w3 | nmol/mL | 35174-2 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070263 | DPA,C22:5w6 | nmol/mL | 35181-7 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070264 | DPA,C22:5w3 | nmol/mL | 35180-9 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070265 | DTA, C22:4w6 | nmol/mL | 35182-5 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070261 | Docosenoic Acid, C22:1n-9 | nmol/mL | 79701-9 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070266 | Nervonic Acid, C24:1w9 | nmol/mL | 35170-0 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070260 | Docosanoic Acid,C22:0 | nmol/mL | 30194-5 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070357 | Triene/Tetraene | 35411-8 | |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070309 | Total Saturated | mmol/L | 35175-9 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070358 | Total Monounsaturated | mmol/L | 35176-7 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070311 | Total Polyunsaturated | mmol/L | 35177-5 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070360 | Total w3 | mmol/L | 35178-3 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070361 | Total w6 | mmol/L | 35179-1 |
| 070325 | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | 43674-1 | 070317 | Total Fatty Acids | mmol/L | 24461-6 |
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070324 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Interpretation | |||||
| UofM | ||||||
| Result LOINC | 49262-9 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070339 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Director | |||||
| UofM | ||||||
| Result LOINC | 69426-5 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070237 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Lauric Acid, C12:0 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35150-2 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070240 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Myristic Acid, C14:0 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35157-7 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070242 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Hexadecenoic Acid,C16:1w9 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35155-1 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070244 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Palmitoleic Acid,C16:1w7 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35162-7 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070245 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Palmitic Acid, C16:0 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35161-9 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070246 | |||||
| Result Code Name | g-Linolenic Acid,C18:3w6 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35163-5 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070248 | |||||
| Result Code Name | a-Linolenic Acid,C18:3w3 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35164-3 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070249 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Linoleic Acid, C18:2w6 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35165-0 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070251 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Oleic Acid,C18:1w9 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35166-8 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070252 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Vaccenic Acid,C18:1w7 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35167-6 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070253 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Stearic Acid, C18:0 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35149-4 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070254 | |||||
| Result Code Name | EPA, C20:5w3 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35173-4 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070255 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Arachidonic Acid, C20:4w6 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35168-4 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070256 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Mead Acid,C20:3w9 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35172-6 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070257 | |||||
| Result Code Name | h-g-Linolenic, C20:3w6 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35171-8 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070258 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Arachidic Acid, C20:0 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35169-2 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070262 | |||||
| Result Code Name | DHA, C22:6w3 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35174-2 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070263 | |||||
| Result Code Name | DPA,C22:5w6 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35181-7 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070264 | |||||
| Result Code Name | DPA,C22:5w3 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35180-9 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070265 | |||||
| Result Code Name | DTA, C22:4w6 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35182-5 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070261 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Docosenoic Acid, C22:1n-9 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 79701-9 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070266 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Nervonic Acid, C24:1w9 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35170-0 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070260 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Docosanoic Acid,C22:0 | |||||
| UofM | nmol/mL | |||||
| Result LOINC | 30194-5 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070357 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Triene/Tetraene | |||||
| UofM | ||||||
| Result LOINC | 35411-8 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070309 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Total Saturated | |||||
| UofM | mmol/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35175-9 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070358 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Total Monounsaturated | |||||
| UofM | mmol/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35176-7 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070311 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Total Polyunsaturated | |||||
| UofM | mmol/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35177-5 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070360 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Total w3 | |||||
| UofM | mmol/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35178-3 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070361 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Total w6 | |||||
| UofM | mmol/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 35179-1 | |||||
| Order Code | 070325 | |||||
| Order Code Name | Essential Fatty Acid Profile | |||||
| Order Loinc | 43674-1 | |||||
| Result Code | 070317 | |||||
| Result Code Name | Total Fatty Acids | |||||
| UofM | mmol/L | |||||
| Result LOINC | 24461-6 |