Lauric, C12:0; Myristic, C14:0; Hexadecenoic, C16:1w9; Palmitoleic, C16:1w7; Palmitic, C16:0; g Linolenic, C18:3w6; a Linolenic, C18:3w3; Linoleic, C18:2w6; Oleic, C18:1w9; Vaccenic, C18:1w7; Stearic, C18:0; EPA, C20:5w3; Arachidonic, C20:4w6; Mead, C20:3w9; h g-Linolenic, C20:3w6; Arachidic, C20:0; DHA, C22:6w3; DPA, C22:5w6; DPA, C22:5w3; DTA, C22:4w6; Docosenoic, C22:1; Nervonic, C24:1w9; Triene Tetraene Ratio; Triene Tetraene Ratio; Total Monounsaturated; Total Polyunsaturated; Total w3; Total w6; Total Fatty Acids
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Essential Fatty Acid Panel (C12-C22), Serum
Test ID: EFAP S
Test
Method
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
Report Includes
Specimens
Serum; Plasma
Clinical Utility
Essential Fatty Acids (C12-C22), to be used for basic nutritional assessment, identifying fatty acid deficiency, and monitoring patients with fatty acid deficiency who are being treated with a special diet and/or fatty acid supplements.
Test Version
19-Nov-2025
Specimen
Specimens
Serum; Plasma
Collection Containers
Preferred
Red top (no additive)
Acceptable
Lavender top (EDTA)
Sample Volume
1.0 mL
Minimum Volume
0.2 mL
Patient Preparation
Fasting required (overnight fast). No alcohol consumption for 24 hours prior to draw.
For pediatric patients, fasting is not required, but sample collection should occur prior to the next meal or scheduled feeding.
Stability
| Ambient | Unacceptable |
|---|---|
| Refrigerated | 7 days |
| Frozen | 28 days |
Rejection Criteria
| Hemolysis | Present |
|---|---|
| Lipemia | Present |
| Specimen | Gel separator tube |
Test Version
19-Nov-2025
Performance / Interpretation
Method
Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)
Turnaround Time
12 days
Results
| Name | Units | Reference Range | Conversion Factor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
||||
Test Version
19-Nov-2025
Interface / Setup
HL7 Interface Codes
| Order Code | Result Codes | Units |
|---|---|---|
| EFAP S | 63068OLEIC, C18:1W9 | umol/L |
| 63064PALMITIC, C16:0 | umol/L | |
| 63063PALMITOLEIC, C16:1W7 | umol/L | |
| 63070STEARIC, C18:0 | umol/L | |
| 63088TOTAL FATTY ACIDS | umol/L | |
| 63084TOTAL MONOUNSATURATED | umol/L | |
| 63083TOTAL SATURATED | umol/L | |
| 63078DPA, C22:5W3 | umol/L | |
| 63069VACCENIC, C18:1W7 | umol/L | |
| 63087TOTAL W6 | umol/L | |
| 63086TOTAL W3 | umol/L | |
| 63081NERVONIC, C24:1W9 | umol/L | |
| 63085TOTAL POLYUNSATURATED | umol/L | |
| 63061MYRISTIC, C14:0 | umol/L | |
| 63080DOCOSENOIC, C22:1 | umol/L | |
| 63082MEAD ACID/ARACHIDON RATIO | ||
| 63076DHA, C22:6W3 | umol/L | |
| 63072ARACHIDONIC, C20:4W6 | umol/L | |
| 63075ARACHIDIC, C20:0 | umol/L | |
| 63066A LINOLENIC C18:3W3 | umol/L | |
| 63077DPA, C22:5W6 | umol/L | |
| 63079DTA, C22:4W6 | umol/L | |
| 63073MEAD, C20:3W9 | umol/L | |
| 63065G LINOLENIC C18:3W6 | umol/L | |
| 63067LINOLEIC, C18:2W6 | umol/L | |
| 63060LAURIC, C12:0 | umol/L | |
| 63071EPA, C20:5W3 | umol/L | |
| 63062HEXADECENOIC C16:1W9 | umol/L | |
| 63074H G LINOLENIC, C20:3W6 | umol/L | |
| 63059INTERPRETATION |
Test Version
19-Nov-2025