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Emerging DiagnosticMetabolic HealthUpload Compatible
Dried Blood Spot Testing
At-home blood testing for fatty acids, vitamins, and hormones
$100–$200
7–10 business days
Dried blood spot (DBS) testing uses a simple finger prick to collect blood onto filter paper, which is then mailed to a lab for analysis. DBS enables at-home testing for omega-3 fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins, thyroid hormones, and more — no phlebotomy required.
DBS testing has become increasingly validated for clinical use, offering convenience and accessibility for patients who can't easily get to a lab or prefer home collection. The technology is particularly useful for tracking omega-3 levels, vitamin D, and other markers over time.
What It Measures
Omega-3 index (EPA + DHA percentage in red blood cells)
Omega-6 to omega-3 ratio
Vitamin D (25-OH vitamin D)
Vitamin A, E, and K (fat-soluble vitamins)
Thyroid hormones (TSH, free T4, free T3) on some panels
HbA1c (3-month blood sugar average)
Why Gabriel Recommends It
Omega-3 index is one of the most important modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease, brain health, and longevity — yet most people never measure it. A target omega-3 index above 8% is associated with significant reductions in sudden cardiac death and all-cause mortality. DBS testing makes it easy to measure your omega-3 index at home and retest every 3–6 months to optimize your levels. Gabriel uses DBS omega-3 and vitamin D data to guide supplementation and track progress over time.
What to Expect
A simple at-home finger prick using a lancet. You'll collect a few drops of blood onto special filter paper, let it dry, and mail it in the prepaid envelope. Results arrive in 7–10 business days. Upload to Gabriel for omega-3 and micronutrient optimization protocols.
How Gabriel Interprets This
Conventional practitioners read these results through a disease-focused lens — looking for what's broken. Gabriel reads them through a holistic lens — looking for what's out of balance and how to restore it. We see optimal ranges, not just "normal" ranges. We connect findings across all your diagnostics to reveal patterns that siloed specialists miss.
$100–$2007–10 business days
Frequently Asked Questions
DBS involves pricking your finger and placing drops of blood on a special filter card. The dried sample is mailed to a lab for analysis. It's used for hormone panels, fatty acid profiles, HbA1c, vitamin D, thyroid markers, and more, all from home without a phlebotomist.
For most analytes, yes. DBS has been validated against venous blood for hormones, fatty acids, HbA1c, and many other markers. The correlation is strong enough for clinical decision-making. Some markers (like comprehensive metabolic panels) still require venous blood.
Convenience is the biggest advantage: test at home, no appointment, no needle phobia issues. Samples are stable at room temperature for shipping. It's also more accessible for remote areas, pediatric patients, and people who have difficult veins.
DBS panels range from $50-300 depending on what's being measured. ZRT Laboratory is the pioneer in DBS testing for hormones. EverlyWell and other consumer platforms use DBS for many of their at-home kits.
Not sure which test is right?
Tell Gabriel your symptoms and health goals. Get personalized diagnostic recommendations backed by evidence, not guesswork.