Dried Blood Spot Testing
At-home blood testing for fatty acids, vitamins, and hormones
What Gabriel reads for
Omega-3 index (EPA + DHA percentage in red blood cells)
Omega-6 to omega-3 ratio
Vitamin D (25-OH vitamin D)
Cost
$100–$200
Turnaround
7–10 business days
Ordering path
OmegaQuant
Results flow
Upload + interpret in Gabriel
What this test reveals
What this test reveals
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.
People usually reach for this kind of diagnostic when they want a clearer read on omega-3 index (epa + dha percentage in red blood cells), omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, vitamin d (25-oh vitamin d), especially when symptoms or prior testing still leave blind spots.
Once results are back, you can upload them into Gabriel to connect the findings to symptoms, protocols, and next-step testing instead of leaving them as a static report.
Commonly relevant for: Heart Disease Prevention, Brain Health Neurodegeneration, Anti Aging Longevity.
Gabriel difference
Why this becomes more useful inside Gabriel
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.
Gabriel interprets results through a functional, root-cause lens: optimal ranges, pattern recognition across multiple diagnostics, and what the findings actually mean for action rather than just classification.
That means this test can feed directly into protocols, practitioner matching, food strategy, and follow-up testing instead of ending as a one-off PDF or lab portal result.
What to expect
What to expect from ordering to results
01
Order
Order directly through OmegaQuant or ask Gabriel whether there is a better path first.
02
Complete
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.
03
Interpret
Upload the results to Gabriel for pattern recognition, protocol suggestions, and next-step guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Questions people usually ask before ordering
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 belongs in your workup?
Tell Gabriel your symptoms, goals, and what you have already tried. You will get a more useful answer than a generic test catalog can give you.