Genetic & Genomic Testing
Genetic and genomic testing looks at aspects of a person's DNA — the inherited code that helps shape how the body is built and how it works. These tests describe patterns and variants rather than deliver verdicts, and results are best discussed with a clinician or a genetic counselor who can place them in context. Genetics rarely tells a simple, all-or-nothing story, so careful, personal interpretation matters more here than almost anywhere else in testing.
Genetics tests you can order now
MTHFR
Single test
DNA test analyzing two common variants in the MTHFR gene associated with reduced enzyme activity linked to elevated homocysteine levels.
Hereditary Hemochromatosis DNA Mutation Analysis
Single test
A DNA test that looks for common gene changes linked to hereditary hemochromatosis, a condition involving abnormal iron build-up in the body.
3 more in this category below — or search the full test menu.
What genetic testing looks at
DNA is often described as a set of instructions the body carries in nearly every cell. Genetic testing examines particular parts of that code, looking for variants — differences from the most common version of a sequence. A genomic test simply casts a wider net, looking across many parts of the code at once rather than a single spot.
Different genetic tests are built for very different purposes. Some look at ancestry or traits, some at how a person's body may process certain substances, and some at variants that clinicians associate with particular health considerations. Because the design of a test shapes what its results can mean, it helps to know what a given test was actually built to examine before reading anything into a result.
What results can and cannot tell you
A key idea in genetics is that most findings describe associations and likelihoods, not certainties. Carrying a particular variant often means it is one factor among many — including environment, lifestyle, and chance — rather than a switch that determines an outcome. Very few results speak in the language of destiny, and reading them that way is one of the most common misunderstandings.
Results can also be genuinely uncertain. Labs sometimes report a variant whose meaning is not yet well understood, and the science behind interpretation keeps evolving. Because of this, a genetic result is best treated as information to explore with a professional rather than a conclusion to act on alone, and it is worth resisting the urge to draw firm personal meaning from a single line on a report.
Why a clinician or genetic counselor matters
Genetic counselors and clinicians are trained specifically to interpret this kind of information and to talk it through with people. They can explain what a particular result does and does not imply, how confident the science is, and how a finding fits with a person's family history and overall picture. That guidance is central to genetic testing rather than an optional extra.
This support also has a human side. Genetic results can carry weight for a person and sometimes for their relatives, and they can raise questions that are as much about feelings and family as about biology. Having a knowledgeable professional to discuss them with helps keep the experience grounded, informed, and free of unnecessary worry.
Approaching genetic testing thoughtfully
Because genetic information is personal and lasting, many people find it helpful to think ahead of time about what they hope to learn and how they might feel about different kinds of results. Deciding in advance what a test is really for makes the results easier to place in context when they arrive.
It is also reasonable to go step by step. Starting a conversation with a clinician or genetic counselor before or soon after testing helps a person choose sensibly, understand what a result covers, and decide whether anything further is worthwhile. There is no need to rush; genetic information keeps, and thoughtful pacing tends to serve people well.
Making sense of results
A genetic result is a piece of information set within a much larger context of family history, environment, and everyday life. It rarely stands alone, and it almost never tells a complete story by itself. A clinician or genetic counselor reads it against everything else known about a person before drawing any careful conclusions.
The most reliable way to use genetic testing is as the beginning of an informed conversation rather than an endpoint. Whether a result is reassuring, uncertain, or worth a closer look, the next step is the same: discuss it with a professional who can interpret it responsibly and help decide what, if anything, follows.
All Genetics tests
The genetics bundle
Genetic insights that add context to your labs.
Recent genetics research
Recent peer-reviewed papers from the medical literature, via PubMed. Listed for reference — not medical advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between genetic and genomic testing?+–
Genetic testing often looks at a specific part of the DNA code, while genomic testing casts a wider net across many parts at once. Both examine variants — differences from the most common version of a sequence — and both are best interpreted with a professional.
Does a genetic result mean I will develop a condition?+–
Usually not. Most genetic findings describe associations and likelihoods, not certainties. A variant is often one factor among many, including environment, lifestyle, and chance, which is why a clinician or genetic counselor helps interpret it.
Why talk to a genetic counselor?+–
Genetic counselors are trained to interpret this information and to talk it through with people. They can explain what a result does and does not imply, how confident the science is, and how a finding fits with your family history and overall picture.
Can genetic results be uncertain?+–
Yes. Labs sometimes report a variant whose meaning is not yet well understood, and interpretation keeps evolving. This is one reason a genetic result is best treated as information to explore with a professional rather than a conclusion to act on alone.
How should I prepare for genetic testing?+–
Many people find it helpful to think about what they hope to learn and to start a conversation with a clinician or genetic counselor before or soon after testing. That helps you choose sensibly and understand what a result actually covers.