Welcome to your unique DNA-based diet and lifestyle prescription. Please be assured that your genes are NOT your destiny. There is a two-way interaction between your DNA and your lifestyle. Many health concerns can be reversed and/or prevented by assessing risk factors and implementing appropriate nutrition and lifestyle measures.
The results of this test will provide you with a personal genetic profile within the context of 8 pillars of health and wellbeing: digestion, metabolism and blood sugar, stress, immunity, nutrients, stimulants, exercise, and sleep. As well as information about your genetic variation for the key genes involved in estrogen metabolism and detox.
The benefit of ordering this test from MY DNA CHOICES.
The feedback session is included in the cost of the test.
MY DNA CHOICES. likes
- An easy to reference report for YOU to start becoming healthier
- Functional Medicine inspired analysis of the genes tested
The VitaFEM test
The VitaFEM report examines 20 genes which impact female health through all stages from estrogen production, activation, and detoxification to heart and bone health.
Estrogen is one of two major female steroidal sex hormones, the other being progesterone. The main source of estrogen in females prior to menopause is the ovaries, after which the main source becomes the adrenal glands and fat tissue. Oestrogen is also produced by the placenta during pregnancy. Estrogen levels fluctuate throughout life, naturally increasing during puberty and pregnancy, and falling after menopause. During the menstrual cycle, estrogen levels peak during ovulation dropping off if pregnancy doesn’t occur.
The main roles of estrogen in the body are to increase the growth and production of cells, the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics - breasts, pubic hair etc. Oestrogen is also involved in maintaining bone density, plays a role in blood clotting and affects skin, hair, mucous membranes, and the pelvic muscles.
The body produces 3 different types of estrogen:
E1 - Etrone: medium strength, predominant after menopause (adrenal glands)
E2 - Estradiol: strongest form, predominant during childbearing age (ovaries & adrenal glands)
E3 - Estriol: weakest form, predominant during pregnancy (placenta & liver)
The VitaTHYROID test
Currently the only dedicated thyroid DNA test on the market. This test examines 8 genes known to directly impact thyroid function or impact factors affecting thyroid function.
Your thyroid gland is responsible for regulating a number of bodily functions, including your metabolism (energy production), body temperature, growth and repair, muscle contraction and digestion processes. The thyroid cells are the only cells in the body which can absorb iodine. They combine iodine with the amino acid tyrosine to produce two main thyroid hormones: thyroxine (T4) and its active counterpart, triiodothyronine (T3), which are then released into the blood stream. T3 is critical to making every system in your body work at the right speed. Although T3 is the more active thyroid hormone, the thyroid gland produces much more T4 than T3. T4 is converted to T3 when needed. Too much T3 will cause enzymes to convert it into reverse T3 (rT3), an inactive form. If you produce too much or too little thyroid hormone, your whole body will be affected. Balance is key. Thyroid hormone balance is maintained via negative feedback. When thyroid hormone levels fall too low, (1) the hypothalamus (in the brain) produces thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) which stimulates the pituitary gland (also in the brain) to (2) release thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH stimulates the thyroid to (3) produce more thyroid hormones (T4 and T3). As soon as levels increase again, the pituitary responds by (4) decreasing production of TSH. Genes play a vital role in regulating this mechanism. Studies into genetic inheritance suggest that up to 67% of circulating TSH and thyroid hormone levels are genetically determined.
Genes tested
The following genes are tested in the VitaGEN + VitaFEM + VitaTHYROID test:
- ACE
- APOE
- ADH1B
- ADORA2A
- CLOCK
- COL1A1
- COMT
- CYP1A2
- CYP1A1
- CYP1B1
- CYP3A4
- CYP17A1
- CYP19A1
- DAO
- ERS1
- FACTOR V LEIDEN
- FKBP5
- FTO
- GSTM1
- GSTP1
- HLA-DQA1
- HNMT
- LCT/MCM6
- LEPR
- MTHFR
- MTNR1B
- NOS3
- PEMT
- PER1
- TCF7L2
- TCN2
- TNF-A
- UGT1A1
- UGT1A6
- VDR
- 5-HT2A
Sample type
Turnaround time
Sample report
How to read your results
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Red or amber icons on the left indicate your genetically susceptible pillars to which you should pay attention and follow the advice offered. These are likely to be the areas where you need particular support.
- The green icons represent your genetic 'pillars of strength' but that doesn't mean you should ignore the areas completely.
What is DNA
DNA is your body’s instruction manual, controlling every single function from when you were only made up of a few cells, until now. It looks like a twisted ladder, made up of two halves - you inherit one half from your mother, the other from your father. This combination is what makes you, you.
Each ‘rung’ of the ladder contains two ‘letters’ of DNA code called nucleotides which bond together in pairs: A (adenine) and T (thymine) bond together, as do C (cytosine) and G (guanine).
Genes are portions of the ladder which use combinations of the nucleotide code to perform specific functions.
What are SNPs
Over time, due to environmental and lifestyle factors, minor changes called single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) occur in the DNA code and are passed down from parent to child, from generation to generation. Remember the nucleotides? Well, a C might be replaced by a T, changing the instructions given to a gene.
Some changes are positive, making us stronger and more resilient (like being able to digest milk after infancy), some negative (like being likely to store more fat as a result of past famine or food shortage) and some make no difference at all. SNPs can be passed down on just one side of your ladder, from one parent, or from both, enhancing the effect.
SNPs are generally what we are looking for when we test your DNA.
Pair with these tests
If you wish to measure and track 'how' the above genes may be expressing in realtime within your biochemistry, we recommend the following tests:
