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Our verdict: We thought LifeDNA was informative and fun and offered some reports that other DNA tests often don't (like beauty and skincare). While it covers its bases with potential genetic variations or any potential genetic predisposition, we thought other tests were a bit more fleshed out in that regard.
Still, it was a great way to learn more about ourselves and is a great test for any first-time test-takers. If you're not sure of your family history (in terms of health condition) or want to learn more about how you can better care for your skin, this test is for you.
It may be good motivation to make major lifestyle changes to reach your health goals.
Check LifeDNA price here.
We scanned through several LifeDNA reviews to determine the most common pros and cons people have mentioned. Here are a few of them:
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LifeDNA offers three different DNA Wellness Bundles. These three plans give you the option to either take a test that LifeDNA will send or to upload raw DNA data from any tests you've already taken, like 23andMe, Ancestry, MyHeritage, Living DNA, and Family Tree DNA.
The DNA test is about $70 extra, so plan accordingly.
These three bundles are:
After submitting your raw DNA data, you get reports that include these traits:
Other reports are also available, such as:
In response to the pandemic, LifeDNA announced the availability of the Covid-19 Susceptibility Report.
The Carrier Status report became available to LifeDNA customers in late 2020.
It’s worth noting that the Fertility report, designed for women, only became available in May 2021.
It takes around two weeks to process your LifeDNA test results.
Yes, for the most part. Some users felt like their results weren't totally spot-on, but many others who availed of one-on-one counseling saw that their results were pretty accurate and easily explained by the genetic expert.
However, take into account that tests may vary in accuracy, no matter where you take them. It depends on many factors, such as if your sample was properly taken, delivered, and handled. Mistakes may occur at any step.
Take into account that DNA analysis isn't always foolproof either. So there may be some discrepancies in your results.
Still, if everything goes right, you can look forward to some interesting insights into your life, health, and genetics. Always take DNA test results with a grain of salt and consult a genetic expert to best understand what they mean.
You can buy LifeDNA on their website.
Platinum members of LifeDNA enjoy the following perks:
Yes, we think so. While it was pretty expensive, the one-on-one consultation more than made up for the price. The consultant was incredibly professional and knowledgeable. They laid out our results and explained the lifestyle changes we had to make according to those results.
They were able to explain everything to us—from our disease risk to beauty and skincare recommendations. The reports themselves were also pretty eye-opening, especially for first-time test-takers.
The decision to test your DNA comes with a cost and ideally involves endorsement and guidance from a professional.
This keeps anyone from making health-related choices based on inaccurate, incomplete, and misunderstood test results. However, if you’re worried about a particular ailment, get tested. This can eliminate uncertainty and identify family members who are also at risk. It may not predict the age of onset, but it can guide diagnostic tests and medical care.
While LifeDNA reviews are mostly positive, some DNA testing companies provide DNA analysis for free or at a lower price. However, they don’t come with personalized supplements or beauty products. Furthermore, their reports may not include the genetic traits that LifeDNA offers.
| LifeDNA | Genetic Genie | MyTrueAncestry | GEDMatch | |
| Price | $59-199 | Free | Free base cost, higher tiers between $37-844 | Free base cost, $10 monthly fee for upgrade |
| Offers genetic testing? | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Can upload DNA data? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Consultation? | Yes | No | No, but they have social media groups | No |
Source: 123rf
New research in genetics constantly evolves. The kind of DNA tests available today didn’t exist ten years ago. Even then, the advances in genetic testing played a role in diagnosing and treating certain diseases.
However, other factors impact gene expression. This includes age, exposure to substances, and environmental influences (LifeDNA points out that your results won’t be 100% accurate because of this).
So as much as genetic testing can help you plan, it’s a bit premature to build solid plans around just DNA results.
Genetics is a vital piece of the jigsaw puzzle that makes up life, but it’s just one part of who you are.
Unlocking your DNA requires genomic analysis.
An organism’s genome holds the blueprint for building and maintaining that organism. In humans, every single cell in the body contains a copy of the entire genome. 3.2 billion DNA base pairs are residing in the chromosomes within the nucleus.
Genomic analysis refers to the process of identifying, measuring, and comparing features such as DNA sequence and gene expression at a genomic scale.
It involves three main steps:
Different methods and machines exist for sequencing genomes. The average sequencing project takes three to seven days to complete, depending on the sample count.
A medical DNA test is more regulated than a number of home DNA tests because of the controlled environment. It specifically tests for a wide range of genetic mutations. These genetic mutations are often associated with particular diseases and types of cancers.
A medical DNA test involves formal genetic counseling and risk assessment before and after the test. Getting tested further won’t be necessary to confirm the results.
Your insurance most likely covers the testing costs, too, so you don’t have to spend anything out of pocket.
However, not all DNA testing kits are created equal. A home DNA test or a direct-to-consumer test may require further testing. This is to confirm a mutation noted in the test.
Source: 123rf
A home DNA test tests for select mutations in a limited number of genes related to certain diseases. It is not like a medical DNA test. Unfortunately, it isn’t covered by insurance. A genetic counselor isn’t typically involved, either. What you get is often limited to online education.
Reading your results online can be challenging as well. You can easily misunderstand parts of the health reports.
For doctors and scientists to closely examine DNA, both tests will require the following:
The evolution of DNA testing technology has promoted awareness of genetic diseases. Nearly a third of a poll’s respondents said that they or their family members have considered getting tested. This is because testing has become easier and cheaper.
A DTC or home DNA test kit can be effortlessly obtained and used. It doesn’t require approval from your health insurance company or healthcare provider.
While it isn’t a diagnostic test, people find out right away if the risk of having cancer is high. A home DNA test can also reveal if a person is at risk for Alzheimer’s and other illnesses.
DNA testing can be instrumental in helping people take the necessary steps to protect themselves and keep healthy.
A DNA test may be used to educate family members about potential health and genetic risks. This can help them make lifestyle changes if needed.
In-depth knowledge of your risk for diseases can be beneficial in a significant way. Knowing your risk is low equally provides a sense of relief from uncertainty.
It is important to note, however, that testing won’t eliminate your risks at all. But the information you get from a DNA test is essential. It will empower you to make informed lifestyle and medical changes. Seek help from a qualified health professional.
We spent hours of thorough research, reading reviews, and scouring the web. We also tried some features ourselves. After much effort, our team came up with the criteria for rating LifeDNA.
We looked at the company's research and development procedures. We wanted to ensure their reports were based on the most recent findings in the relevant fields of science.
We prefer companies that have good security to uphold their users' privacy. There is a lot of sensitive information in DNA test results and genetic makeup, and, in the wrong hands, that information can be used to hurt you. So, we make sure to only recommend DNA tests and services that strive to be secure and keep your information private.
We want to ensure that a product or test earns its price tag. We compare tests and services to other companies' equivalents to make sure that you're getting the most of what you pay for.
We made sure to consider the experiences of consumers and users. If there was an overwhelming amount of disappointment in a product, service, or test, we consider it. If we see that a company's customer service goes above and beyond, we also make sure to note it.
LifeDNA is a personal genomics company based in Hawaii, USA. It was founded in 2017 by Cyril Moukarzel, Jared Kushi, and Steve Markowitz.
LifeDNA uses a robust algorithm anchored on 600+ peer-reviewed scientific studies. It generates the following DNA reports:
LifeDNA, unlike other testing companies, goes beyond ancestry and disease risk. It ultimately recommends skincare products and nutritional supplements based on your DNA.
KnowYourDNA is committed to making healthcare more accessible to the public. It is why we feature products that meet industry standards.
We only choose at-home kits that provide reliable testing methods and science-backed reports to improve your health.
Our in-house medical experts help to ensure the accuracy of our content. They review all the information we give to our readers before publication.
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