Anyone try 23andMe Health and Ancestry?

[shawnner]

My wife and I decided to give it a try, but it'll be a couple weeks for results. I was just interested to see if anyone one the group and tried it.

The kit promises to provide feedback on traits that may predispose you to certain conditions like cancer, Alzheimer's, etc. While spooky, it's not a diagnosis but does give an incentive to modify lifestyle to reduce other contributing factors.

I'm also excited to learn of ancestry. Family records show we immigrated to the US from Ireland in the 1850's. Hoping that I own controlling interest in Guinness 🙂

Whether you've used the kit or not, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

[BobD Volunteer]

And this has what to do with atrial fibrillation?

[shawnner in reply to BobD]

I take a holistic approach to afib, believing that our bodies operate best when in balance. Knowledge of familial traits can be important.

[Bambi65 in reply to shawnner]

very well said! Im a firm believer in the body will heal its self, IF... the the cause of the "dis-ease" is located and delt with.

[Aprilbday in reply to BobD]

Bob, see my reply further down.

[Physalis]

I've been with Ancestry for a few years now. My closest match is in Canada and I've been meaning to write to him and see if he suffers from AF. Since Ancestry added DNA matches about five years ago it certainly has made it all the more interesting.

The human genome was only sequenced seventeen years ago so you wonder what discoveries will be made in the future. Let us know what you get from the 23 and me health report. Do you have to have a separate DNA test?

[Hidden]

It doesn't per se Bob, BUT, the 2nd para says what it will do and it would tie in with a genetic predisposition to AF or any other cardiac condition.

John

[Hidden]

Hi, No I haven't, BUT I am on Ancestry UK and am awaiting my DNA outcome. I do already know the health issues associated with both side of my family in modern times and that is more than enough to make me closely monitor my own health. The two major front runners for me are diabetes and strokes. In the case of strokes it concerned my paternal grandfather and given that it took a great many strokes of different intensities to do the poor old guy in ( aged 82 in 1964) I rather feel that AF may have been lurking away. Not sure it would have had an AF label back in the day.

So I guess lifestyle, diet and exercise would for me be a major contributor in my enjoying a highly controlled AF - over and above my medication. Probably could also influence my osteoarthritis in both my shoulders. These three features would also assist in my staying clear of diabetes .... so far anyway ( I'm 76 now).

Matter of interest 3 of my paternal grandfathers brothers immigrated to Denver, Colorado from Norfolk, UK in/around 1860.

John

[Aprilbday]

Shawner,

I developed A-Fib in 2016. I take Pradaxa and Diltazem.

I received an health alert from 23&Me about a hereditary gene ( hereditary amyloidosis ) of cardiac nature. I showed it to my doctor, was referred to cardiologist, then received genetic counseling and after signing my life away, I was tested to verify 23&Me’s findings and the other possibilities.

By the way, an irregular heartbeat is a symptom.

Not sure what good news there is as I tested positive, and I may develop the plaques in my heart at anytime now that I am over 60 when it typically arises in those with the genetic defect. There is no cure I am told. There is a medication that can slow the process down to some to extent. My 2nd cousin had the gene and passed away from it at age 62 about a year and a half after he was diagnosed. I am 65. No diet, no magical weight, no medication will fix it the doctors say. I will cut and paste a snippet of what I was given. Family members received copies of my genetic report alerting them, and 2 so far are positive. Some decided that they did not want to know. Another was afraid his life insurance would drop him. I suppose the good news is that my insurance says they will pay for the very expensive medication.

“TTR-related hereditary amyloidosis is a genetic condition caused by the buildup of a protein called transthyretin (TTR) in the body's tissues and organs. This protein buildup, called amyloidosis, can damage the nerves, the heart, and other parts of the body. This test includes three of the most common genetic variants linked to TTR-related hereditary amyloidosis.”

[Physalis in reply to Aprilbday]

Good heavens, I had no idea it could be so specific. Being naturally curious I expect I will now get the test but it is a bit late for me to discover anything much. It would be interesting if it picked up the atrial fibrillation.

[shawnner in reply to Physalis]

I didn't know what to expect, but thought the cost was reasonable enough just for the family tree info. If I can get some benefits from the health info, then I'm all for it.

[shawnner in reply to Aprilbday]

Thanks for the info. I think I have similar genetics as you with the poor family genes. I do however believe that giving our body the best possible fuel (food), activity and mental state that we can improve overall health. At the least, we won't complicate our diagnosis with other factors.

[Bolander]

I signed up some time ago, and can confirm that the health information is quite comprehensive. In my case it confirmed ( after negotiating several warnings) that I have the Apoe4 variant of a gene associated with Alzheimers - hardly a surprise as my mother had this condition. This helped me to take whatever steps I can to minimise the chances of being affected. The good news was that I was not susceptible to all the other conditions it checks for.

It is worth noting that, as I understand, 23 and me, and other similar products, do not sequence the whole genome, but only those areas likely to show differences between individuals. It is also worth noting that the health information gathered is made available to scientists researching health topics.

[shawnner]

Thanks for your insights, it's very helpful. I agree that knowing of potential future problems that you can take steps to minimize the risks.

[37Polly]

I am enrolled in 23 and me. It says nothing about my afib ( though I have three sibs with afib and lost two sisters to stroke (likely undiagnosed afib) but did find I am a carrier of gene for hemochromatosis...very common among Irish (father emigrated to US from Ireland). It was critical news as my husband has hemochromatosis and as a carrier we learned to alert our children who are at greater risk. Hemochromatosis can be fatal and is easily treated but rarely tested for. We feel our 23 and me whim was a god send. I am a fan.

[shawnner]

Interesting. It's good you learned of it! A real find for your entire family.

Just a questions - wouldn't routine blood tests shoe elevated iron? I take a cholesterol med and always ask for liver related tests.

[37Polly in reply to shawnner]

Sorry to be so late to answer. Missed this. Been a busy time with holidays and well, I am in US. Need I say more🙄? Actually no, regular blood work does nor reveal hemochromatosis, and doctors, at least here in US don’t regularly check for it.

A few years back Australia considered doing check at birth for gene as it is so easy to treat and so common among Irish defendants, and potentially lethal, but I believe they decided not for reasons of stigmatization. Strange but understandable.

[37Polly in reply to 37Polly]

Forgive misspelled. Descendent not defendant 😂

[shawnner in reply to 37Polly]

Us Irish are used to being defendants as well