DNA Osteoporosis Test$195
DNA Osteoporosis Test
$195
Your genes play a role in your bone health and risk of osteoporosis. Find out if you are at increased risk, so you can make lifestyle changes today to improve your bone strength.
Discover your genetic risk for osteoporosis with our at-home DNA Osteoporosis Risk Test. By analyzing key genes involved in bone metabolism, vitamin D activity, and collagen production, our test provides invaluable insights to help you make informed decisions about your bone health journey.
- Online Results: Receive confidential results through a secure online portal, ensuring your privacy and peace of mind at every step.
- Painless Sampling: Collect your DNA samples with easy-to-use mouth swabs – no blood or needles required.
How it works
Collect DNA Samples
Your DNA kit includes everything you need to collect easy mouth swabs in the privacy of your home.
Mail samples to the lab
When you're finished collecting your DNA samples, simply mail them to the lab for analysis.
Receive your results
Receive confidential results in your secure online portal within 6-8 weeks after testing begins.
Understanding Bone Health
Strong, healthy bones are essential for support, protection, and overall well-being. Throughout our lives, bones undergo continuous remodeling – old tissue breaks down (resorption) while new bone forms (ossification).
During childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood, new bone production outpaces resorption, allowing peak bone mass around age 30. However, as we age, this balance shifts, and resorption exceeds new bone formation, leading to gradual bone loss.
In many elderly individuals, excessive bone loss results in osteoporosis – a condition of thin, porous, brittle bones with increased fracture risk. Osteoporosis significantly impacts quality of life and healthcare costs, particularly among postmenopausal women experiencing accelerated bone loss due to decreased estrogen.
Osteoarthritis: Another Common Concern
Another prevalent bone and joint issue affecting the elderly is osteoarthritis – the most common form of arthritis. It occurs when protective cartilage within joints wears down, leading to joint pain, stiffness, and inflammation. This condition can severely impair mobility and independence, further highlighting the importance of maintaining bone and joint health throughout life.
Factors Influencing Bone Health
Several modifiable and non-modifiable factors contribute to bone health, including gender, hormone levels, ethnicity, physical activity, medications, nutrient intake, and genetics.
Weight-bearing exercises strengthen bones, while a sedentary lifestyle increases poor bone health risk. A calcium and vitamin D-rich diet is essential, as calcium builds bone tissue and vitamin D aids absorption. Gastrointestinal conditions like Crohn’s, celiac disease, and lactose intolerance can impair nutrient absorption, necessitating proper management and dietary modifications to maintain bone health.
Your genes play a crucial role in your bone health, influencing processes like vitamin D metabolism, bone formation, maintenance of bone and joint tissues, and collagen production. Specific gene variations can increase your risk of developing conditions like osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.
- Vitamin D Metabolism: The CYP2R1 and GC genes are essential for activating and transporting vitamin D, which is crucial for calcium absorption and bone health. Variants in these genes can impair these processes, raising your risk of osteoporosis.
- Bone Formation and Maintenance: The WNT16 gene regulates the formation of bone-building cells, while the GDF5 gene oversees the maintenance of bone, joint, and cartilage tissues. Variations in these genes can disrupt these processes, leading to weaker bones and increased risk of fractures and osteoarthritis.
- Collagen and Bone Strength: The COL1A1 gene is responsible for producing a major component of collagen, the protein that provides strength and structure to your bones. Certain variants in this gene can weaken collagen, leading to decreased bone density and increased osteoporosis risk.
Your Genes and Bone Health
This table provides an overview of the key genes and variants included in our At-Home DNA Osteoporosis Risk Test.
| Genes | Variants | Description |
|---|---|---|
| CYP2R1 | rs10741657 | This variant affects the conversion of vitamin D to its active form. Reduced enzyme activity leads to lower levels of active vitamin D, impacting calcium absorption and bone strength. |
| GC | rs4588 | This variant impacts the vitamin D binding protein’s efficiency, affecting vitamin D transport and availability for bone health. |
| WNT16 | rs3801387 | Inactivating variants in this gene disrupt the Wnt signaling pathway, reducing osteoblast formation and bone density, increasing osteoporosis risk. |
| GDF5 | rs143383 | Variants in this gene reduce the expression of the GDF5 protein, essential for bone and joint maintenance, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis and fractures. |
| COL1A1 | rs1800012 | This variant affects the formation of type I collagen, leading to decreased bone mineral density and a higher risk of osteoporosis, particularly in postmenopausal women. |
By understanding your genetic predispositions, you and your healthcare provider can create a personalized plan to optimize your bone health
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get results?
Once your sample is received by our laboratory, processing usually takes 6-8 weeks. You will receive an email notification when your results are ready, and you can access your detailed report through a secure online portal.
Is my genetic information kept private?
We take data privacy seriously. Your results are confidential and only shared with you. We do not share your results with insurance companies, employers, or any other third parties.
Why DNA Tests Direct?
Accredited Excellence
Our laboratory holds globally recognized accreditations including AABB, CAP, CLIA, SCC, and ISO17025, ensuring accurate results for every test.
Your Privacy, Protected
Your privacy is our top priority. Our secure, accredited laboratory and password-protected online portal guarantee that your results are shared only with you.
Expert Support
Our dedicated customer care team is here to support you through the process, answer your questions, and provide any assistance you need.