By | Tarah Mills
Home genetic test kits are all the rage these days. You can order one of these test kits for yourself and other family members to learn a lot about certain health factors that can contribute to your state of wellbeing. Here are some of the main benefits that a genetic test kit can offer you and your family.
Results Without a Doctor’s Visit
One of the main advantages of using a home genetic test kit is that you nor anyone else in your family will have to go to a doctor to get screened. Geneticists and other medical professionals who specialize in the field of genetics may charge high prices for services that all insurance plans won’t cover. Conducting the testing at home will also save you the time and hassle of having to go to a medical center to have your testing performed. Since a home genetic test kit uses saliva samples instead of blood, you won’t have to worry about a doctor using a needle.
Safe for Everyone
The best genetic test kits have been designed to be safe for everyone’s use. Everyone from seniors to babies can use these kits to get the information that’s wanted. Men and women can use these tests the same way without having to make any special modifications. No needles or chemicals that might cause harmful allergic reactions are used in these tests, which makes them an excellent choice for people who may have sensitive medical issues.
Good for Family Planning
If you’re planning to have children, a home genetic test kit can be especially practical for you and your prospective mate. Each of you can learn about certain genetic factors that you might both be unaware of to determine if special precautions should be taken when having a child. Either of you could be carriers of a gene that will increase your offspring’s likelihood of having birth defects or other medical conditions that will require ongoing care.
MTHFR Detection
The biomechanical process is known as methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, or MTHFR, is responsible for turning “on” and “off” certain gene functions. The right MTHFR test kit can determine whether you or anyone in your family has MTHFR problems that could contribute to health conditions such as heart disease and increased blood clots. The results of your test can also let you know if you’re more prone to developing fibromyalgia or irritable bowel syndrome. A problem with MTHFR can also contribute to certain mental health problems.
Planning for Future Health Problems
Some genetic conditions don’t usually impact a person’s health until an older age, and knowing the problems that you could face will allow you to make the right preparations. If you test positive for a certain genetic condition that will likely affect you later in life, you can relay the information to your family so that they can start making arrangements for your care.
Paternity Testing
If there’s a dispute in your family over who fathered a certain child, you can order a genetic test kit that allows you to perform a paternity test in your own home. Knowing these results can be especially useful when it comes to issues like child support and custody. The information can also be used to get a better idea of each parent’s medical history and whether the child is prone to certain medical conditions.
Beneficial for Weight Loss Goals
Eating unhealthy and not exercising enough aren’t always the only factors that contribute to unhealthy weight gain. As U.S. News & World Report explains, genetic factors can also be standing in your way to shedding the extra pounds and achieving a slimmer physique. A genetic test kit can be used to inform you of any gene problems or hormone imbalances that are known to make losing weight more challenging. The results of your test can be shown to your doctor so that he or she can put together a better weight loss program that will help you drop the extra weight easier.
The results from a home genetic test kit can benefit your own life along with your family unit in many ways. These test kits eliminate much of the hassle from conventional genetic testing and can give you accurate information that will help everyone in your family achieve greater peace of mind.
