Finding Out About my DNA with 23andMe
It’s a hard thing to do – forget you are adopted, especially when you have chronic health issues.
Every time you walk into see a new doctor you know you are going to get the dreaded question, is there a family history of this?
Of course, there is that never-ending question of nature vs nurture – what exactly is within your DNA and what comes from those around you.
It’s a question I wonder about every day. I love to swim, I used to be OK at it before my body gave up on me, yet neither of my parents does. Is that down to the fact my birth mothers family are very keen swimmers or just the fact my parents sent me to swimming lessons early?
There is, of course, no answer to every question I have. However, 23andMe offers a health and ancestry service which delves into health and traits as well as your ancestry.
Health Predispositions.
We all know we can have a predisposition towards certain health conditions and 23andMe uses your DNA to check you against health conditions such as; type 2 diabetes, coeliac, Parkinsons and others.
Please do note that you need to read through all the information which comes with each of the reports. They are health predispositions and NOT a diagnosis, or saying you will definitely ever suffer from it.
It is also worth noting that even if you come up as 0 on the 23andMe results, this isn’t a definite you won’t get it. After all, they are only checking certain factors and for many health issues, other factors come into play. So make sure you are fully aware and read through everything if this is something you buy.
Ancestry.
35+ reports are available when it comes to ancestry, these include; ancestry composition, maternal and paternal haplogroups and more.
Right now 23andMe uses over 1000 regions to put together your report – but keep your eye out as, as their database increases, you may see your results start to be narrowed down.
Wellness.
How does your genetics play a part in your sleep or weight?
Well, 5+ reports will delve into this question and give you some insight into how you can improve your wellbeing.
Carrier Status Reports.
If you are thinking of a family you may want to know if you carry one genetic variant for a condition.
You often won’t know you are a carrier. However, if both you and your partner both are there is often a 25% chance your child will develop the issue.
Traits Reports.
Are you likely to have curly hair, what are your earlobes like, can you taste certain bitter tastes?
This part is all about that and quite fun!
It looks for certain markers and compares you to other 23andMe users.
What to Think About.
One thing that I liked about 23andMe is that you can block access to certain results such as BRCA1 / BRCA2, Parkinsons and Alzheimers.
After all, for some of us, knowing the answers to these questions isn’t something that would do us good. You can, however at any time choose to unlock access if your situation changes.
I would 100% make sure you read through all the information provided before deciding what is right for you.
How to Buy.
You can buy either the Ancestry Service or the Ancestry and Health Service right now from the 23andMe website. Who are offering £40 of the Ancestry and Health kit just in time for Father’s Day.
You can also check out DNA Weekly which will help you decide which kit is best for you and fits within your price range. After all, they all offer something just a bit different and which one’s right for you could be different from the right one for me.
For me, it’s time to spit in a tube and send off my kit and I’ll be back with some results soon!
Have you ever taken a 23andMe test, what did you think of it, or is it something you would like to do?
I was sent a 23andMe Kit free of charge, this, however, doesn’t affect my review and feelings.
Fancy checking out another post? Just click here!
Pin it!
This is so interesting, id love to try it out
I’ve been really curious about these kits.
I can’t wait to see the results.
A very good friend of mine has just done this and is waiting for the results. I’m not quite sure if I would do it, but never say never.
I hope she gets her results soon (and I hope I do too haha).
Thanks for the info I always love treating my health issues maximum concedration and at such I think is nessasary that I go for a DNA test, and Know my result
Good luck I hope all goes well if you give it a try!
Hi, very good article thanks for sharing keep up the good work! thank
A friend recently tried 23andme to find out some of her background. It was interesting to hear her results.
I am so looking forward to seeing mine I have to say.
Initially, I thought that determining DNA was more about determining family lines and all that. But it is wise enough to know this especially when it comes to understanding why you might have chronic health issues. Some hereditary diseases are best treated when it’s known if it runs within the family or not.
Most definitely – I was talking to my Mum about should I access some of the results and I think the answer might be I get them to look and let me know as needed.
I love 23 and me and the lineage that I learned about. I loved learning about my ancestry and they make it easy!
Oh wow it is great to hear from someone who has already used it! Thank you.
I’ve always been curious about my DNA. I know some of my family history but other parts were kept private by my parents. My husband doesn’t know much about his side either. Hopefully you’ll know a lot more when you get your test results. It’s got to be frustrating when you get asked about your family history and not know anything.
I hope one day you get to delve into yours as well!
Oh wow this is absolutely amazing!! I love that you can have access or block access to certain results as you’re right, some people just wouldnt want to know xxx
It is great – I am so glad they have thought about that and bought it in.
I think it would be really cool to see my health from 23 and me. In Australia, that isn’t an option on the tests. I have a lot of chronic health issues so it would be nice to see if there could be anything potentially passed to my kids or anything in my genetics that might explain why I have these chronic conditions.
Oh no that’s a shame, perhaps it depends on the labs? I know when I was reading the website a lot of it was very Americanised, saying you sent it all off to the US, but actually, mine went off to Europe.
It’s my first time to hear about this but I think it would be great t know what your history is especially when it comes to health.
Most definitely it seems like such a great way to find out more.
I’m really curious to try this, so many friends of mine have found out so much from this type of test x
It’s incredible all the different things they can check for with them isn’t it.
The health information could be really important to know, and it is great that you can block out information that you don’t want to see. My sister took a different test and it told her a lot about our ancestry, it was really interesting.
I love the fact you can choose so much of what you want to (or don’t want to) see. It is really forward thinking of them. I’ve spoken to adopted people who would love to know about their ancestors but have been afraid of being matched with close family – so the fact you can turn that off as well is incredible.
I’ve done one of the ancestry tests before, which was really interesting, but I think the health test would be very useful as well.
It is definitely something that I am sure is going to be interesting in some ways!
I’ve heard about this! I have so many friends that have used this and loved it.
I’m really excited to see what it comes back with I have to admit.
I would like to test one of this to know more about me. Love this DNA Kit I can learn about my ancestry.
It is really interesting all they have on offer to find out isn’t it.
I would like to take one and find out more about myself!
It is amazing all the different things your DNA can say about you.
I did 23 and me a few years back. The results were really interesting, I’m glad I did it.
That’s awesome to read – I’m excited to see what mine say.
This is so interesting! I love finding myself and I’d love to try this with the kit!
I hope if you get to take one, one day you enjoy it.
This thing about DNA testing is going all the way, but I find it an incredible thing above all because it’s about a chance to get to know yourself and your origins better!
Most definitely it is incredible all the things they are able to tell now.