Genetic testing,

simplified

Positive

If you test positive for the disease-causing variant, you have an increased risk of developing disease. In most cases, there are medical management options available to help prevent disease or detect it at an earlier, more treatable stage. Your test may also indicate if you carry a genetic change that does not increase your own risk of developing a specific medical condition, but that may be passed within your family. This is known as carrier status and will be marked on your report as a positive carrier result. Carriers typically do not have symptoms or a family history of the disorder.

We strongly recommend that you speak with a licensed, board-certified genetic counselors to review your test result. Our team can help you set up a genetic counseling appointment. Call us at 800-436-3037 Monday through Friday from 5:00 am - 5:00 pm Pacific.

Negative

A negative result means that you do not have a disease-causing variant that is associated with an elevated risk for genetic disease. In most cases, increased screening and preventive measures will not be indicated for you. If you wish to review your negative genetic test result with a genetic counselor, our team can help you set up a genetic counseling appointment. Call us at 800-436-3037 Monday through Friday from 5:00 am - 5:00 pm Pacific.

Variant of uncertain significance (VUS)

This result occurs when we identify a variant in your DNA that has an unknown impact on your risk for disease. Everyone has differences (variants) in their DNA, and most of these differences are not related to disease. In a small number of cases, future research may determine that a VUS increases the risk of a disease. In most cases, however, such variants are later found to be completely unrelated to disease risk. Genetic medicine is advancing rapidly and your doctor will be updated as new clinically relevant information about your VUS becomes available. In the meantime, a VUS result should not be used to guide your medical care. If you have questions about your VUS result, our team can help you set up a genetic counseling appointment. Call us at 800-436-3037 Monday through Friday from 5:00 am - 5:00 pm Pacific.