“Does this run in the family?”
It’s a question that doctors often ask. But, when I was first diagnosed with… heartProblem on 16 I couldn’t answer it.
On my mother’s side, I knew the history—but my father? No evidence. It can be difficult for those of us who are separated from our parents to ask medical professionals about this.
I was determined from that point on to learn as much about my health as possible. As at-home testing kits became more popular, I knew I had to get in.
Although they couldn’t tell me my father’s family background, they hoped they could tell me if I was at higher risk due to his genes.
I also wanted more control of something that feels out of the reach of non-doctors. Something the average person doesn’t really understand: our bodies.
When one of the groups arrived, I discovered that I had poor circulation. Although it wasn’t the revolutionary insight that I was looking for, it is still very useful.
It was impossible to draw blood from my finger using a lancet. I had to ask someone for a sample (which would have cost more) or request a replacement kit (returning half a vial of blood hopefully).
However, once the groups were separated, it produced interesting results.
Two general health tests that I took were ForthWithLife Baseline Plus and Ultimate Performance Blood Test.
The Baseline Plus (£79)It is designed to give you an “at-a glance snapshot of your overall well-being and health” by looking at biomarkers (such cholesterol, vitamin B12 and total protein). The results are available in just a few days. They are easily understood and more information is available by clicking.
A doctor’s report is included with the scan. Lee wrote: “Overall, this palette is great. Low triglycerides or slightly elevated total cholesterol are not concerns.
The test is intended to be part a subscription package. If you get new results every six-months, I think you’d have a better understanding of your health. For once, however, I didn’t know what to make of my stats. This is probably because the doctor said that there wasn’t anything to worry about. They provided some comfort, if anything.
It was also my experience Medichecks Ultimate Performance Test (£199)The buyer is asked to answer the following question: “Are you an athlete or a bio-hacker? Or someone who wants top performance?” I answered “no” but, as I promised that I would learn as much about myself as possible, I was sold.
They felt inclusive when the results arrived. Each dropdown contained a further breakdown of results. Under each result was an explanation of each number and how to improve it.
All of these were accompanied by a doctor’s report. He commented on all my results and offered advice where necessary. My cortisol levels were low and the doctor recommended that I visit my GP to be tested for Addison’s Disease. This is a lifelong condition in which the adrenal glands fail to produce enough hormones.
Although I was initially nervous about becoming the urban myth of a journalist who became seriously ill to write an article, I eventually went to my GP. She said that it was unlikely that you had this rare condition, but she referred me to additional blood tests which confirmed that it wasn’t. She also noted that my cortisol levels dropped because I took the test in afternoon, which gave me a tantalizing reading.
It was a valuable lesson in how to accept any test results at home with caution.
It was the test that I was most excited about 23andMe’s Health + Ancestry (£149)which can tell if you have an increased genetic risk for certain diseases — for example, you’re looking for it Certain types of the BRCA gene (which can lead to an increased chance of developing breast and ovarian cancer)or the Parkinson’s disease genetic. This was what I hoped would give my father the knowledge he lacked.
Another benefit is that the test relies on saliva and not blood. This is unlike other tests, where you are encouraged repeat it throughout your lifetime.
Although results take longer to arrive, about 20 days for me. But once they do, there is a lot of information available. 23 and miBe sure to include a disclaimer in your profile before you receive it. This is because the information could have serious implications for your life. There are also plenty of reminders throughout your report that this test does not constitute an official diagnosis. You should speak to your healthcare provider.
I found out that I am at greater risk of losing my sight as I age. I also have a surrogate for absorbing too many dietary iron and could pass on a genetic disorder to my future children if my partner is also a carrier. It was a relief to have this information.
My mother’s side of the family has a very late history Alzheimer’s diseaseI was assured that I did indeed not have the gene to cause the disease, even though the company pointed out that there are many other factors that could also play a role.
23andMe also gave me some fun insights into my personality. It can predict whether you have certain traits and health characteristics. I have, for example, the muscular composition of an elite strength-athlete (true), prefer chocolate ice-cream over vanilla (true), wet earwax to dry (what does that even mean?!).).
The most interesting thing for me is the fact that I have 24% more Neanderthal genetic material than my clients (jokes from my family about being dumb and monstrous). This year’s Nobel Prize in Research in this area means that we will soon learn more about the implications of this.
The next MOT I tried for my health was one that examined my fertility. (via Hertility). I had some information about my family history that I was able to access. I knew that I was a miracle because my mother was told she wouldn’t be able have children and that my father had had three more children.
Having adenomyosis – when tissue grows in the walls of the uterus – I was keen to know as much as I could have been told by several doctors over the past 10 years, such as ‘Your chance of miscarriage is higher than the average woman’ and ‘If I don’t give you this treatment you might get barren.”
The test (£149) looks at three hormones – AMH, TSH and FT4 – and is designed to check for hormone imbalances, egg quantity and reproductive health conditions. My results were acceptable and I found the doctor’s report helpful.
However, it was booking an optional consultation with one of Hertility’s specialists – Dr Srdjan Sasso – afterwards (£39), that really helped me understand what those numbers meant and the impact they could have on my fertility.
He said that my TSH was above average and that it would be a good idea to have this blood test done before I attempt to conceive. He suggested that I take a low dosage of levothyroxine if my TSH remains the same to increase my chances for pregnancy.
He also asked about my personal life. periods Adenomyosis, advised. He recommended a £200 scan that I could book through, or if I couldn’t afford it he said he would write me a clinical letter to give to my GP to suggest.
This message covered everything that we discussed in our meeting. I feel more confident about my gynecological well-being than I have ever felt, which, as I know other women have experienced, is a rare feeling.
Hertilty can access a panel experts – including nutritionists and fertility specialists – to help you book your appointment as soon as you have received your results. It is an extra cost, but I think it was worth it.
The company recommends that you scan every year if you are under 30 years old, and twice yearly if you are over 30, which can be expensive. If I was actively trying, I would do it over again.
The last test I took was about my nutrition. NGXBodyFuel offers customized shakes that are tailored to your genetic makeup. After taking the swab test (£99), you receive a 31-page report on how well you absorb certain nutrients, what you’re lacking as a result, which foods you’re better at processing, and advice on what to include in your diet.
As in Hertility, this consultation (which was also free) with an NGX expert afterwards helped me understand what my results meant for my everyday life.
Rebecca shared with me this information supplementsI have to take it to ensure I get the vitamins I need. She helped me to understand what was good for my body and how I could improve the way I train. A cup of tea before I went to the gym worked wonders. It helps me feel better. I was testing positive on day 12.
Since then, I’ve been drinking BodyFuel drinks, made just for me (£69.98 for 28 portions), which were a great breakfast when I’m in a hurry, and made me feel less lethargic in the morning. A meal comes out to roughly £2.50, so if you eat both meals a day it can be an expensive investment.
Did any of them prove to be worth the effort?
I have never been able find this information through 23andMe & NX, but other tests like Hertility, Medichecks, or Forth’s help relieve the strain on our already overstretched healthcare system. They also help you get answers without the heartbreak of infertility. Unexplained anxiety and stress that is not explained by the first sign of troublesome symptoms.
23andMe’s quiz is my favorite out of all the ones I’ve taken. It provided me with so many insights that it was my favorite. It’s also the most affordable because it’s a one time task. Anyone who takes it also gets access. AncestralThe relative service of DNA
I felt that infertility gave my health peace of mind, even if it didn’t happen often.
While they have their advantages, I can see why others would use them. However, I find the cost prohibitive for me.
Although none of these tests could answer the question “Does it run in you family?”, I feel like I have some agency in terms my health.
Continue reading: What does DNA stand for, where was it found and who discovered it?
Continue reading: The “medical feminist” nurse goes above and beyond for a woman’s heart health
Continue reading: A man with a rare gene who lost his mother to cancer has his entire stomach removed as a precaution
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