Serum Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)
20-carbon polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid containing 5 cis double bonds (20:5 n-3) derived primarily from marine fish oil.
Standard vs. Optimal Reference Ranges%
Standard reference intervals represent the statistical 95% distribution of unselected commercial populations. Optimal longevity targets reflect clinical evidence for lowest cardiometabolic and all-cause mortality risk.
Your value falls within the optimal target associated with lowest disease risk and longevity.
1.0 - 4.0% total fatty acids (50 - 150 ug/mL)
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
>3.0% (>100 ug/mL)
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
Competitively inhibits arachidonate 5-lipoxygenase and serves as precursor to E-series resolvins (RvE1, RvE2) that actively resolve inflammation.
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (EPA High)
- •High dietary fatty fish consumption
- •Prescription icosapent ethyl / EPA therapy (2 to 4g daily)
Low Levels (EPA Low)
- •Severe dietary marine omega-3 deficiency
- •Impaired endogenous anti-inflammatory resolution
Technical Reference & Deep Dive
Biochemistry & Enzymatic Pathways
Longevity Risk Architecture & Epidemiology
Pre-Analytical Caveats & Diagnostic Workup
Pre-Analytical Considerations:
Specimen collection should follow standardized phlebotomy protocols. Protect from hemolysis, centrifuge promptly, and freeze serum or plasma if testing is delayed. Patient should be in a resting, fasting state where indicated.
Reflexive Testing Protocol:
- Confirmatory testing and secondary biomarker quantification for EPA
- Targeted organ system imaging or functional dynamic testing related to marine omega-3 & resolvin precursor
- Comprehensive baseline metabolic, renal, and inflammatory assessment (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
- [1]Clinical Reference and Molecular Physiology of Serum Eicosapentaenoic Acid - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 34090124
- [2]EPA Dynamics in Human Longevity and Precision Medicine - The Lancet (2022). PMID: 35322901
Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators
Medicine 3.0Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate Serum Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) into overall healthspan optimization.