Quick Facts
- Sample: Fingerstick Blood Spot and First Morning Urine
- Fasting: Fast overnight before collection. Limit fluid intake to no more than 48 ounces during the 24 hours before collection. During the 12 hours before collection, consume only water. Do not collect the urine specimen if blood is present in the urine, including menstrual blood. Consult your healthcare provider before stopping any medications or supplements.
- Turnaround: 7-17 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or laboratory delays.
What's Included
Essential Fatty Acid Status
- Pentadecanoic Acid (Fatty15): Measures the level of pentadecanoic acid (C15:0), an essential fatty acid found primarily in dairy fat and certain fish. This biomarker provides insight into your body's Fatty15 status, which has been associated with cellular membrane stability and overall cellular health.
Oxidative Stress
- Lipid Peroxides (Urine): Measures lipid peroxides in urine, a marker of oxidative stress caused by free radical damage to fats within cell membranes. Elevated levels may indicate increased oxidative stress, which can contribute to cellular damage and aging.
Benefits
- Measures blood levels of Pentadecanoic Acid (Fatty15).
- Evaluates urinary oxidative stress through lipid peroxide testing.
- Provides insight into cellular health and membrane integrity.
- May help identify nutritional patterns related to essential fatty acid intake.
- Can be used to monitor changes over time following dietary or lifestyle modifications.
- Offers a convenient at-home collection using a fingerstick blood sample and first morning urine specimen.
Who Is This Test For?
This test may be appropriate if:
- You want to evaluate your Fatty15 (pentadecanoic acid) status.
- You are interested in measuring oxidative stress at the cellular level.
- You are taking Fatty15 supplements and want to monitor your levels over time.
- You want to better understand factors that may influence long-term cellular health.
- You are working with a healthcare provider to assess nutritional status or wellness.
- You are interested in preventative health and healthy aging.
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Collect Your Samples at Home
- Mail Your Kit to Genova Diagnostics
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. What is the purpose of this test?
The Fatty15 Cellular Strength Test measures your blood level of Pentadecanoic Acid (Fatty15) and evaluates oxidative stress by measuring urinary lipid peroxides. Together, these biomarkers provide information about essential fatty acid status and oxidative stress, two factors that may influence overall cellular health. This test is intended to provide health information and should not be used by itself to diagnose or rule out any medical condition.
2. Who would benefit from this test?
This test may benefit individuals who want to evaluate their Fatty15 status, assess oxidative stress, monitor the effects of dietary or supplement changes, or gain additional insight into their overall cellular wellness in partnership with their healthcare provider.
3. When should I order this test?
You may consider this test if you are interested in preventive wellness, healthy aging, nutritional assessment, or monitoring your response to lifestyle or dietary interventions that may affect cellular health.
4. Do I need to fast before this test?
Yes. Fast overnight before specimen collection. During the 24 hours before collection, limit fluid intake to no more than 48 ounces. During the final 12 hours before collection, consume only water. Do not collect the urine specimen if blood is present in the urine, including menstrual blood. Consult your healthcare provider before stopping any medications or supplements.
5. How quickly will I get results?
Results are typically available within 7-17 business days after the laboratory receives your specimens. Turnaround times may be longer due to weather, holidays, or laboratory delays.
6. How do I interpret the results?
Your report compares your Pentadecanoic Acid (Fatty15) and urinary lipid peroxide levels to established reference ranges. Results are most meaningful when interpreted alongside your medical history, diet, lifestyle, and any additional laboratory findings. Your healthcare provider can help determine what your results may mean for your individual health.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing laboratory. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
7. What should I do if my results are abnormal?
If one or more biomarkers fall outside the laboratory's reference range, discuss your results with your healthcare provider. They can determine whether additional evaluation, dietary changes, supplementation, or follow-up testing is appropriate based on your individual health history.
8. How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your healthcare goals and whether you are monitoring changes in nutrition, supplementation, or overall wellness. Your healthcare provider can recommend an appropriate testing schedule.
9. Why does this test include both blood and urine?
The blood spot measures your body's level of Pentadecanoic Acid (Fatty15), while the urine sample measures lipid peroxides, an indicator of oxidative stress. Evaluating both biomarkers together provides a broader assessment of cellular wellness than either marker alone.
Pre-test Preparation
Fast overnight before collection. Limit fluid intake to no more than 48 ounces during the 24 hours before collection. During the final 12 hours before collection, consume only water. Collect a first morning urine specimen and a fingerstick blood spot specimen according to the kit instructions. Freeze the urine specimen for at least 2 hours and keep it frozen until shipment. Allow the blood spot card to air dry for 24 hours. Do not collect if blood is present in the urine, including menstrual blood. Consult your healthcare provider before stopping any medications or supplements. Collect early in the week, activate your kit online, and return the kit according to the included shipping instructions.
