What is it?

A multi-gene DNA test routinely added to assessment of blood cholesterol and glucose levels, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) as part of Wellness Programs offered by healthcare practitioners.
It includes analysis of variation in clinically useful genes that may contribute to abnormal cholesterol levels, homocysteine accumulation, blood clotting, iron overload/deficiency and inflammation. Some of these abnormalities contribute to the development of type II diabetes, obesity and hypertension. Oxidative stress, detoxification of carcinogens and oestrogen exposure are also important aspects to consider as part of a screening step to help determine the appropriateness of extended genetic testing using next generation sequencing. While some variants have an indirect effect on disease pathways, through their association with body mass index (BMI) and other clinical indicators, others have a direct influence on disease via independent disease mechanisms. Medical scientists are trained to distinguish between these different types of gene variants to improve our understanding of the complex relationship between genetics and disease development, prognosis and/or response to treatment.