Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood (serum via venipuncture)
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 4–6 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Monitor heart health proactively — detect early cardiac stress or fibrosis before symptoms worsen
- No physician referral needed — order directly online and visit any local lab for a convenient blood draw
- Guide personalized treatment — provide your doctor with prognostic data to optimize heart failure management
- Track disease progression — measure galectin-3 levels over time to assess treatment effectiveness
- Broader health insights — galectin-3 also links to kidney disease, offering comprehensive risk assessment
Who Is This Test For?
- Individuals diagnosed with heart failure seeking to monitor disease severity and progression
- People with risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, or family history of heart disease
- Adults experiencing unexplained cardiac symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest discomfort
- Patients undergoing heart failure treatment who want to track therapeutic response
- Health-conscious individuals pursuing preventive screening for early cardiac fibrosis detection
- Those with chronic kidney disease, as galectin-3 indicates renal fibrosis risk
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online — Select your test and complete your purchase securely.
- Visit a lab — Go to any partnering lab location for a simple blood draw.
- Get results — Receive confidential results within 4-6 days.
FAQ
What does the Galectin-3 Blood Test measure? It measures the concentration of galectin-3 protein in your blood, a biomarker linked to cardiac fibrosis, inflammation, and heart failure severity (Mayo Clinic 2016).
Do I need to fast before this test? No, fasting is not required. You can have the blood drawn at any time without dietary restrictions.
How accurate is this test? The test uses enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), a highly sensitive and specific method for quantifying galectin-3 (NIH 2020).
Can elevated galectin-3 indicate conditions other than heart failure? Yes, high levels are also associated with kidney fibrosis and certain cancers, offering broader diagnostic value (PubMed Central 2020).
What happens after I receive my results? Review results with your healthcare provider to determine if treatment adjustments or repeat testing every 3-6 months is necessary.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Galectin-3 Blood Test measures galectin-3 protein levels to assess cardiac fibrosis, inflammation, and heart failure risk. Galectin-3 plays a role in tissue remodeling and scarring within the heart muscle. Elevated levels indicate increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events, disease progression, and rehospitalization (American Heart Association 2023). This test provides prognostic information that helps clinicians stratify heart failure severity, guide treatment decisions, and monitor therapeutic response. It complements other cardiac biomarkers like NT-proBNP to create a comprehensive heart health profile. For patients and healthcare providers, galectin-3 testing offers actionable insights for personalized cardiovascular care and long-term wellness strategies.
Who would benefit from this test?
Patients diagnosed with heart failure benefit significantly, as galectin-3 levels correlate with disease severity and prognosis. Individuals at elevated cardiovascular risk—those with hypertension, diabetes, or family history—can use this test for preventive screening. People experiencing unexplained cardiac symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, or chest discomfort should consider testing. Those undergoing treatment for cardiomyopathy or recovering from heart attacks can monitor therapeutic effectiveness. Older adults facing age-related cardiovascular risk gain valuable prognostic information. Additionally, patients with chronic kidney disease benefit, since galectin-3 indicates renal fibrosis progression. Health-conscious consumers seeking direct-to-consumer lab services can proactively monitor heart health without initial physician referrals.
When should I order this test?
Order a Galectin-3 Blood Test when experiencing symptoms suggesting heart problems. Shortness of breath during routine activities signals potential cardiac stress. Persistent swelling in legs, ankles, or feet indicates fluid retention common in heart failure. Unexplained fatigue despite adequate rest warrants cardiovascular evaluation. Chest pain or discomfort should prompt immediate medical attention and testing. Rapid or irregular heartbeat patterns require cardiac assessment. Sudden, unexplained weight gain may indicate fluid accumulation. Persistent coughing, especially when lying down, suggests cardiac-related congestion. If you're monitoring known heart failure, order tests every 3-6 months as recommended by your physician to track disease progression and treatment response.
How do I interpret the results?
- ≤ 17.8 ng/mL – Normal range; lower risk; continue routine heart health monitoring and preventive lifestyle habits
- 17.9–25.0 ng/mL – Elevated; moderate risk; discuss with physician, consider lifestyle modifications and closer monitoring
- 25.0 ng/mL – High; significant concern; immediate physician consultation, may require treatment intensification or specialist referral
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting or special dietary restrictions are necessary before the Galectin-3 Blood Test. You can maintain your regular eating schedule and take prescribed medications as usual. Stay adequately hydrated by drinking water before your appointment. Inform the phlebotomist about any bleeding disorders or medications affecting blood clotting. Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that roll up easily for venipuncture access. The blood draw takes only a few minutes at any participating lab location. After collection, the sample is centrifuged and shipped to the testing laboratory following standard protocols. You can resume all normal activities immediately after the blood draw.
How often should I get tested?
- Diagnosed heart failure (stable) – Every 3–6 months or as directed by cardiologist
- Heart failure (unstable or worsening) – Every 1–3 months to guide treatment adjustments
- Elevated cardiovascular risk (asymptomatic) – Annually or every 6 months for high-risk individuals
- Post-treatment monitoring – 3–6 months after therapy changes to assess effectiveness
- Preventive screening (low risk) – Every 1–2 years alongside routine cardiovascular panels
Why early detection matters
Heart failure affects over 6 million American adults, with rates increasing annually (AHA 2023). Early detection of elevated galectin-3 enables timely interventions that can slow cardiac remodeling and fibrosis progression. Identifying at-risk individuals before symptoms appear allows implementation of preventive strategies—medication optimization, lifestyle modifications, and closer monitoring. Studies show early galectin-3 screening can reduce hospitalizations and improve long-term outcomes in heart failure patients. Timely intervention potentially lowers healthcare costs by preventing emergency visits and complications. Regular monitoring helps clinicians adjust treatment plans proactively, improving quality of life. For asymptomatic individuals, early screening provides peace of mind or identifies hidden cardiovascular stress requiring attention.
Related tests you may consider
B-Type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) Blood Test — Measures BNP levels to assess heart strain and heart failure severity. Complements Galectin-3 by evaluating cardiac stress rather than acute injury.
NT-proBNP Test— Measures cardiac stress hormone levels to complement galectin-3 for comprehensive heart failure assessment
High-Sensitivity CRP Test — Evaluates systemic inflammation levels, providing additional cardiovascular risk insights alongside galectin-3 data
