Product Description
How It Works
| STEP 1: Purchase Your Kit |
STEP 2: Collect DNA Samples |
STEP 3: Mail Samples to Lab |
STEP 4: Receive Your Results |
Your kit will be delivered to your doorstep within days with free nationwide shipping. |
Collect painless mouth swab samples at home with the included materials. |
Mail the samples to the lab using the prepaid shipping envelope. |
Get your results online within 1-2 business days after testing begins. |
What is Hemochromatosis?
Hereditary Hemochromatosis is a genetic disorder that causes the body to absorb and store too much iron. The excess iron builds up in the body’s organs over time and eventually leads to organ damage. If hemochromatosis is not detected and treated early, it may eventually cause serious irreversible disorders such as arthritis, liver disease, heart disease and diabetes later in life.
Early detection can prevent future complications
Since hemochromatosis is treatable if detected early, screening for hemochromatosis can prevent potentially fatal complications from occurring. DNA testing for hemochromatosis is fast, simple and inexpensive.
The best time to get tested is before 30 years of age, so that the disease can be detected before organ damage occurs. When detected and treated early, there is a good chance of avoiding life-threatening complications of iron build up in the body later in life. If any family members test positive for hemochromatosis, other family members should also be tested.
Find out if you carry a mutation in the HFE gene that increases your risk of iron overload.
The DNA test examines the HFE gene for mutations that cause the gene to become defective. The HFE gene has three known mutations which account for ~85% of all cases of hereditary hemochromatosis, namely: C282Y, H63D and S65C.
C282Y
The most common HFE mutation that causes hemochromatosis is the C282Y mutation. This mutation is a single nucleotide substitution (c.845G>A), which changes a highly conserved cysteine (at amino acid position 282) to a tyrosine. This amino acid change prevents the formation of disulfide bond in the HFE – β-2 microglobulin complex and inhibits the regulation of iron absorption. 80 – 85% of patients affected by hereditary hemochromatosis have two copies of this C282Y mutation (C282Y homozygotes). Iron overload is detected in 90% of male C282Y homozygotes but only in 50% of female C282Y homozygotes, and, overall, approximately 30% of C282Y homozygotes will not show any iron overload symptoms. Individuals that have one HFE gene with the C282Y mutation and one normal HFE gene (C282Y heterozygotes) sometimes experience mild symptoms of hemochromatosis, such as lethargy and mild joint pain, but the disease is unlikely to develop further.
H63D
H63D is the second most significant mutation leading to hemochromatosis. This mutation is a single nucleotide substitution (c.187C>G), which changes a histidine (at amino acid position 63) to an aspartic acid. This mutation is thought to inhibit the formation of an intramolecular salt bridge during the interaction between the HFE protein and the transferrin receptor, thereby reducing the control of iron absorption. Individuals that carry two copies of the H63D mutation (H63D homozygotes) have a slightly increased risk of hemochromatosis but often other precipitating factors (e.g. hepatitis or alcohol abuse) are also required before iron overload occurs.
S65C
S65C is a very rare mutation, which contributes slightly to hemochromatosis. This mutation is a single nucleotide substitution (c.193A>T), which changes a serine (at amino acid position 65) to a cysteine. The mechanism that this mutation prevents iron regulation is currently unknown. Individuals that carry two copies of the S65C mutation (S65C homozygotes) do not appear to be at an increased risk of hemochromatosis. However, when this mutation occurs in a compound heterozygote with a C282Y mutation, there is slightly increased risk of hemochromatosis.
Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about this test.
Are my results confidential?
Yes, your results are 100% confidential. No one will be able to access your account or your results unless you give them your confidential account login. You can change the password to your account at any time. Please remember to safeguard your login information and not share it with anyone.
How long does the test take?
Testing begins immediately the day that your samples arrive at the laboratory. In some special situations, additional testing may be required, which could increase the turnaround time by a few extra days. You can check the status of your test online 24/7 using your secure account login. Your test report is released immediately once testing is complete.
Would eating or drinking before collecting my DNA affect my results?
Drinking or eating will not change the results in any way. The reason that you are not supposed to drink or have anything in the mouth for an extended period prior to collection is to ensure that we have enough buccal cells to complete the test. If there are not enough cells to complete the test, then the results will not be released and a recollection will be required.
How do I ship my samples back to the laboratory?
Once you have finished your sample collection, place the collection kit box into the prepaid plastic USPS envelope included with the kit, then mail your samples to the laboratory via your mailbox or a local USPS drop box. If you wish to monitor the status of your shipment, remember to record the tracking number on the shipping label. You can track the status of your shipment using your tracking number on the USPS website.
Do I have to use the return envelope to send my kits back?
No. You can send the kits back to the laboratory using any shipping method of your choosing. Please be advised that if you do not use the included prepaid return mailer to ship your samples, it is your responsibility to ensure that your samples arrive at the laboratory. We will not be able to provide assistance for shipments that do not use our prepaid return mailer.
Kevin M.
(verified owner)Worked as expected, happy with the experience very friendly and quick responses Arrived earlier than expected, very happy
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(verified owner)Very simple to follow, no confusion at all Very satisfied with how they handled everything shipping was way faster than expected
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(verified owner)shipped same day, so happy
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(verified owner)Exactly what I needed, no issues at all Had an issue and they solved it right away was surprised how fast it got here
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