Wellness

[Mom2Dogs]

I have a young (35ish female) family member with a lot of health issues.  I was wondering if anyone has used (or if the test exists) like the DNA test that you can send in and find relatives?

This would obviously be something that would not test for related family but for underlying health issues...just curious from anyone that has used this type of test or has opinions on them.  thank you

[ALRATIBA]

@Mom2Dogs 

I've done DNA testing, but not for health markers.

Check - and/or google - out "23andme.com"

[ALRATIBA]

@Mom2Dogs 

Is your female relative on your mother's or father's side of the famly, and is your common female ancestry the same.

One of my cousins (daughter of my mother's brother) has issues that are traced through her mother's line.

[Mom2Dogs]

@ALRATIBA   She is family on my mothers side.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer as a young monther, has Crohns as well as some female problems.  NO one else in the family has health issues.  It's just very odd and I feel horible for her.

[gnomie1]

Forget about consumer DNA tests - to get useful information your niece should ask her oncologist to refer her for genetic testing. I do not mean to be rude, but is your niece Jewish and if so, has she been tested for the BRCA gene defect? While the BRCA gene defects affects all, it is most prominent in the Ashkenazi Jewish population and results in a marked increase in breast and ovarian cancer. Also, Crohn's is more common in Jewish populations.

Genetic counseling and testing can also affect treatment options - individualized medicine based on one's DNA is no longer science fiction - I know from personal experience.

Good luck to your niece - you did not say where you are located but if she has not already done so, she may want to consider looking into receiving care at a medical center with a primary affiliation with a medical school.

[Laura14]

@Mom2Dogs I have done 23andMe. Be aware that depending on someone's privacy settings, you may or may not be able to speak to them and/or share information. You can send an invitation to your DNA relatives which is shared ancestry only but they have the option not to respond to you. Medical information is not shown at all on that site unless someone specifically responds to your invite and wants to share with you.

[Mom2Dogs]

@gnomie1 ...I typed a reply and it disappeared!

Not offended...We are not jewish but she did have the test for BRCA test when she had cancer years ago.

She gets the results of her biopsy hopefully this week and when she shares the results I will mention about a teaching hospital...I'd have to check to see how close we are to one.

I don't understand how the genetic testing works..can her doctor order it?  Does the test show what diseases/illnesss she could develop?  I have no experience in this field, thanks for any input.

It is just odd all the health issues she has and the rest of the family is healthy.

[Kachina624]

@Mom2Dogs    The question is, would you really want to know if there was the possibility you had some potentially fatal disease that might not appear for 20 or 30 years?  Dreading it could make your life miserable, and it possibly might never materialize

[Mom2Dogs]

@Kachina624   The test is not for me...

 @gnomie1 suggested the testing when I posed the question about DNA tests for my niece that has had more than her share of health issues.

It would be her decision to make.

[gnomie1]

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@Mom2Dogs wrote:

@gnomie1 ...I typed a reply and it disappeared!

I don't understand how the genetic testing works..can her doctor order it?  Does the test show what diseases/illnesss she could develop?  I have no experience in this field, thanks for any input.

I do not feel comfortable continuing this conversation on a public board but would like to answer some of your questions - if you like, please email me at R J B 1 9 2 1 at aol.dot.com - I have a couple of crazy days coming up but will answer