DNA Test 101: How much is a DNA test?
Genetic Testing 101: What and How Much is a DNA Test?
If you’ve ever wondered about your family tree, you might be glad to know that your DNA will tell you more than just who you are related to. While finding out if you are a descendant of a famous historical figure sounds super cool, there’s so much more to learn about yourself, your body, your mind, and even your potential with the right DNA test.
What is Genetic Testing?
Genetic testing can give you a myriad of information about your nutrition, wellness, your personality, andeven your genetic likelihood of developing certain conditions. The tests look for changes, also known as mutations or variants, in your genes, chromosomes, and proteins to determine unique traits or changes in your current traits that can give you insights into your well-being,your food response, your body’s ability to absorb certain vitamins and minerals, and even why you have certain behavioral traits.
Some genetic tests are done by drawing blood and examining it, others are via cheek swabs of your saliva and lad-testing it. The results can vary from a few days to a few weeks depending on how detailed your genetic testing results are. If you have mutations in your DNA test results, the likelihood of your family members having the same mutations increases because you share the same genes.
If you’re ready to take a DNA test and gain personalized insights into how you can start taking action on your overall wellness, check out LifeDNA’s plans today.
The Benefits of Taking a DNA Test
Genetic testing has a ton of incredible benefits. Knowledge is power, thus finding out your genetic predispositions towards certain traits can help you better manage your diet, lifestyle, and personal habits. Below are some of the most powerful benefits of DNA testing.
Discover your unique genetic traits
Many couples planning to have a family want to be as prepared as possible. Taking a DNA test individually can help determine if one or both parents have genetic mutations that can be passed on to their offspring and the likelihood of these mutations growing or increasing. Genetic testing can also help determine some physical, mental, and cognitive traits of your future offspring.
LifeDNA offers over 120 unique traits on nutrition, fitness, vitamins, wellness, personality, skincare, and more. If you’re ready to discover your unique traits based on DNA, click here to get started.
Identify your genetic likelihood for certain conditions
A DNA test can help your trusted healthcare professional make more informed decisions and recommendations about your well-being. Genetic testing can help some individuals identify potential risks and focus on prevention and treatment. Consulting a medical professional for advice after seeing your results can also give you the peace of mind you might need.
Remember, LifeDNA’s reports do not diagnose any diseases. We do recommend that you consult your healthcare professional for traits results that may need attention.
Assessing if a pregnancy or future pregnancy is safe
Some DNA test results can also help parents or future parents make decisions about having children. A prenatal genetic test can help determine if the fetus is growing normally or if there are any abnormalities present while in the womb.
Screening newborn babies for certain treatable conditions
Some genetic testing services offer newborn screening one to two days after birth. This test can identify genetic disorders early at the earliest chance possible so that treatment can be started as early as possible.
Is LifeDNA Genetic Testing right for you?
LifeDNA’s non-invasive genetic testing is quick, easy, and can be safely done in the comforts of your own home. A test kit will be sent to you with instructions to follow on how to do a cheek swab. Your results will then be sent back to the lab so we can analyze your sample and generate your reports. .
Once purchased, it will take approximately 3 to 7 days for the kit to be delivered to your desired address. When you are ready to send back the saliva sample, it will take around 5 days for it to reach LifeDNA’s labs.
There will be 3 to 5 weeks of waiting for your DNA sample to be analyzed in the lab. Once the reports are generated, you will be notified via the email you provided when you signed up for your subscription and your personalized report will be ready for your browsing.
Comprehensive and Scientifically-Backed Reports
LifeDNA will provide you with a personalized report for every DNA sample you send back to the lab. Our wellness reports will include scientifically-backed and comprehensive results. Each trait report we provide will include the scientific studies and research used to back up the findings. Below are the traits that will be included in your LifeDNA plan:
Nutrition
Food is a vital part of life. It is what sustains the human body for daily tasks and living. The topic of nutrition can be a sensitive one but that is all the more reason why you need to know more about the nutritional traits that may be affected by your genetics. This part of the report can tell you about your metabolism, whether or not you should avoid gluten or dairy, and if you have potential food allergies or sensitivities.
Ready to discover what foods and nutrients work best for your body? Check out LifeDNA’s Nutrition Report today.
Wellness
Wellness is a vague and broad term but in this case, this part of the report will tell you about certain wellness indicators that can be affected by your genetics. Some examples of these are kidney stone predisposition, insomnia, and longevity.
Vitamins and Supplements
Vitamins and minerals are essential for a healthy body. However, like in most things, moderation is key. Too much of a certain vitamin or mineral also has its risks. With the Vitamins and Supplements Report, your DNA test result can tell you which vitamins and minerals your body might need more or less in amount. Always consults with your doctor first before taking any medications.
Fitness
Fitness is not a one-time thing, it is a lifelong endeavor. Some people refer to fitness as a lifestyle and they’re not wrong. In LifeDNA’s reports, the Fitness part will tell you a predicted baseline to help you set realistic and attainable fitness goals in the long run. It will help you figure out which areas of your body and muscles you should particularly focus on. You’ll even find out if your body is more suited for cardio or weight training.
Personality and Cognition
Your personality and cognitive abilities may also be affected by your DNA. This part of your result will take a deep dive into your personality, intelligence, creativity, and other unique cognitive abilities and personality traits.
Skincare
The world of skincare doesn’t have to seem so daunting. With thousands of skincare products to choose from, it can be a bit overwhelming to choose which ones to use. Your DNA test results can tell you so much about your skin type and your genetic predisposition towards acne, psoriasis, facial wrinkles, and other conditions.
Rewards of Genetic Testing
Genetic testing is a deeply personal choice. It is up to every individual whether or not they want to know more about their DNA and how the results may impact their everyday lives. If you are thinking about taking a DNA test, read on to know more about the benefits of the test.
Discover your genetic predispositions and know the exact steps you need to take to optimize your well-being based on your results..
Help healthcare professionals provide you with a more accurate medical diagnosis and make recommendations for treatment.
Helps you take action on your wellness. The reports contain actionable suggestions on how you can improve your nutrition, fitness, wellness, skin, and overall well-being.
Lower your wellness-related anxieties once you figure out what is going on with your body and how to better manage conditions that are related to your genetic predisposition.
Limitations of Genetic Testing
DNA testing can tell you a lot about yourself and your family history. While it is a useful tool for determining many hereditary conditions that you might be afflicted with, there are still certain limitations to genetic testing. For one, a genetic mutation in your results does not automatically mean you will develop a certain disease or that you will pass it on to your offspring.
Genetic testing also cannot tell you if you will show symptoms of a certain condition, the severity of the symptoms, how progressive the disease will be, or which course of treatments is guaranteed to treat or cure the condition. Only a medical professional can advise you about all of these.
Geneticists and genetic counselors are qualified to talk more about what a particular test covers, what to expect for the scope of results, and even help you decide whether undergoing testing is the best choice for you. They can also help you deal with your results and understand them in a more objective manner before going to a medical professional for diagnosis.
How to Get Quick DNA Test Results
If you are familiar with genetic testing, you have probably heard of or even tried other DNA testing companies such as 23andMe, Ancestry, or MyHeritage. With LifeDNA, you have the option to upload your past genetic test results from these companies and unlock a ton of other powerful information hidden in your DNA.
Check out LifeDNA’s plans to get started.
FAQs
Why do I need to get a DNA test?
Genetic testing is purely voluntary. it is still entirely up to you if you want to get it done. In general, DNA tests are done for medical and personal reasons.
How much does a DNA test cost?
DNA testing can cost anywhere from $30 to $350 depending on the details of the report. Most DNA testing companies offer varying plans that cater to people’s budgets. Similar to other subscriptions, the more you pay, the more access and premiums you receive.
LifeDNA offers a DNA test plan for as low as $199, which offers access to 6 personalized wellness reports with over 120 unique traits. Click here to learn more.
Can you get a DNA test while pregnant?
LifeDNA’s genetic testing kits are non-invasive. A cheek swab is not likely to cause any harm to pregnant or breastfeeding individuals or those with medical conditions. If you are sensitive to these types of things or simply want to be overcautious, you can always talk to your primary care physician first.
How long does a DNA test take?
The testing itself will not take more than a few minutes if you are using the saliva test kit from LifeDNA. The instructions are printed on the kit itself and can be done anywhere and anytime.
Is genetic testing the same as paternity testing?
No, these two tests are different. Prenatal paternity tests are designed to determine whether a man is the child’s biological father, while a DNA test is designed to reveal your ancestry, personal traits, and more.
LifeDNA’s Personalized Wellness Plans
LifeDNA have three main plans available. The Diet and Wellness Pack ($39), the Wellness Report Bundle ($129), and the Wellness Test Bundle ($199). The Wellness Test Bundle includes all of the unique traits that LifeDNA offers, plus the DNA test kit and a one-year platinum membership that gives you access to personalized DNA tools designed to help you optimize your well-being even further..
After learning more about genetic testing, you can now decide if it’s right for you or not. While the premium plans might be a bit pricey, they are comprehensive and provide with tons of information that can help you optimize your wellness. If you are still hesitant, you can start off with the least expensive plan and see if the results satisfy you.,
Summary
LifeDNA provides some of best, comprehensive, and most personalized reports in the marketing. It is important to note that the reports given to customers do not diagnose or treat any health conditions or provide any medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making any major lifestyle changes or if you have any other concerns about your results. Want to get started on your wellness journey? Try LifeDNA today.
*Understanding your genetics can offer valuable insights into your well-being, but it is not deterministic. Your traits can be influenced by the complex interplay involving nature, lifestyle, family history, and others.
Our reports have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The contents on our website and our reports are for informational purposes only, and are not intended to diagnose any medical condition, replace the advice of a healthcare professional, or provide any medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult with a healthcare professional before making any major lifestyle changes or if you have any other concerns about your results. The testimonials featured may have used more than one LifeDNA or LifeDNA vendors’ product or reports.
