Omega-3 EPA, % (RBC)

The proportion of EPA, an omega-3 fatty acid, in your red blood cells.

Last reviewedJune 16, 2026

Whole blood

sample type

~5 mL

blood needed

~7 days

results in app

Any time of day

best timing

INCLUDED WITH ANIVA

199 € / year

0.55 € a day

Get Started

100+ biomarkers. Cheaper than a comparable test at your doctor. Guaranteed, or we match the price.

German PKV insurance usually reimburses.

On this page

Why test Reference ranges What you'll learn What affects it How testing works Sources FAQ

In short

EPA, or eicosapentaenoic acid, is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid found mainly in oily fish and fish oil. This test reports how much EPA sits in your red blood cell membranes, as a percentage of all the fatty acids there.

Because red blood cells live for about four months, this percentage reflects your average EPA status over weeks rather than your last meal.

Heart & Cholesterol

Reviewed against DGKL reference practice.

Why test this?

EPA is best known for its role in calming inflammation and supporting heart health. Along with DHA, it makes up the Omega-3 Index. A low EPA percentage is common in people who eat little oily fish.

Looking at EPA on its own helps show which omega-3s you are getting, since fish oil tends to raise EPA more than plant sources do.

What is a normal result?

Aniva reads your result against research-backed ranges, not just the lab's wide normal. The reference shown below is specific to this biomarker.

Adult reference values as used by Aniva. Ranges are guidance and can vary by laboratory and method.

Group	Normal range
Adults	0.4 to 1.5 %

Your Aniva report reads your result against these values together with your age, sex and the rest of your panel.

Ranges are guidance and vary by lab and assay, aligned with DGKL practice. Always read your result against your own lab's reference interval.

What insights will this test give you?

You learn your long-term EPA status as a clear percentage and how it contributes to your overall omega-3 picture. A low value can guide oily fish or supplement choices within a personalized action plan.

What can affect this result?

What can skew the result

Recent changes in fish or supplement intake take weeks to show in the membrane value. Methods differ between labs, so compare results from the same assay.

Best interpreted with

Best read alongside the Omega-3 Index, DHA percentage, and ALA percentage.

How is this tested?

Sample

Whole blood

Blood needed

~5 mL

Method

Gas chromatography (fatty-acid analysis)

Best timing

Any time of day

Sources. The evidence behind this

Harris WS, von Schacky C: The Omega-3 Index as a risk factor

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung (DGE)

Common questions

Which Aniva panels include this marker?

Omega-3 Index

This test measures your Omega-3 Index, the percentage of EPA and DHA in red blood cells.