Complex & Invisible Health / Understanding Your Test Results
Understanding Your Test Results
A test report can be empowering, and it can also raise new questions. Here's how to read results thoughtfully and what to do next.
Genetic results vs. biomarker results
Genetic results
Read the DNA you were born with. They generally stay the same for life, so a genetic test usually only needs to be done once. They describe tendencies or susceptibility.
Biomarker results
Measure something in your body right now, such as your gut microbiome. They can change, so repeating the test over time may help you monitor trends.
Risk is not the same as diagnosis
Most health-related genetic results are about association and risk:
- "Associated with" means a variant is seen more often in people with a trait or condition. It doesn't mean it causes it in you.
- Higher risk means more likely than average, not certain. Many people with a higher-risk result never develop the condition.
- Lower or typical risk doesn't mean no risk. Lifestyle, environment and other genes still matter.
- A few results, such as a negative celiac HLA result, are useful mainly because they make a condition very unlikely.
No test on this site diagnoses a complex chronic illness or establishes the cause of your symptoms.
Reading your report
- Check exactly which genes, variants or measurements were tested. A result only covers what was tested.
- Look for the laboratory's explanation of what each result may indicate, and any limitations listed.
- Note results that carry recommendations, such as "discuss with your doctor".
- Be cautious about online interpretations that go beyond what the laboratory reports.
Where your results come from
Results are provided according to each laboratory partner's established process. dnaPower provides its own reports, and some dnaPower tests include a consultation.
Next steps
- Share your report with a healthcare professional, especially results related to disease risk, clotting, iron or medication response.
- Consider genetic counselling for results with significant health implications, such as APOE.
- Never start, stop or change a medication based on a genetic result without talking to your prescriber.
- Remember that genetic results can also carry information about biological relatives.
For education only. Not medical advice. Health & laboratory disclaimer