Borage oil's value rests on one fat it supplies in unusual concentration, which the body builds less well with age. The clearest human signal is in inflamed joints. Skin barrier, nerve symptoms in diabetes, blood fats, acne, blood pressure and weight regain each rest on one controlled trial. Eczema does not hold up. Side effects are mild and mostly digestive. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Red blood cell omega-6 to omega-3 ratio | 4:1 or lower | Shows whether the omega-6 balance drifts |
| Omega-3 index | 8% or higher | Sufficient marine omega-3 fat holds the dose on the calming route |
| Red blood cell dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid to arachidonic acid ratio | No established target; track the change from the individual's own baseline | Shows which route the dose is taking |
| High-sensitivity C-reactive protein | Below 0.5 mg/L | Tracks background inflammation |
| Alanine aminotransferase | 10–26 U/L | Detects liver injury, the theoretical concern behind alkaloid contamination |
| Platelet count | 175–250 × 109/L | Sets the floor below which added antiplatelet effect becomes unsafe |
| International normalised ratio | Within the individually prescribed target, commonly 2.0–3.0 | Catches drift from antiplatelet effect |
| Fasting triglycerides | Below 80 mg/dL | Lipid measure borage oil is shown to move |
| HDL cholesterol | Above 55 mg/dL in men, above 65 mg/dL in women | Second lipid measure borage oil moves |
Cadence: Baseline before starting, first repeat panel at 6–8 weeks, second at 6 months, then every 6–12 months on a stable dose. On an anticoagulant, clotting tests repeat at 2 and 6 weeks after starting and after any dose change.