LAB TESTINg

[dragonfly805]

I'm curious what other what other members of the forum have felt about having health records "out there" confirming their APOE-4 status.

I am a 50 year old female with 2 copies of the APOE-4 allele. I've signed up for the Apollo Health assessment with lab work but my nutritionist seem to think I will regret having this information confirmed on my health record that could bite me on the butt down the track. I have these results through 23andme and Ancestry.com.

Any thoughts anyone?

Thanks.

[Flo]

I'm curious what other what other members of the forum have felt about having health records "out there" confirming their APOE-4 status.

I am a 50 year old female with 2 copies of the APOE-4 allele. I've signed up for the Apollo Health assessment with lab work but my nutritionist seem to think I will regret having this information confirmed on my health record that could bite me on the butt down the track. I have these results through 23andme and Ancestry.com.

Any thoughts anyone?

Thanks.

Dear Dragonfly805,

It's great to have you with us, welcome to our community!
Hopefully you've had a chance to look around the website, but if not, there are a couple of things I'd like to point you in the direction of, namely the Primer which is a great resource written by a member physician containing some science and prevention strategies; and the How-to section of the Wiki, which will help you navigate the site and answer technical questions about with the website.

With regards to your conundrum, I suppose the question I would want to know is what my health insurance company would do with that information and whether that would influence my cover in any way... Maybe someone else has had that experience?

Warm regards
Flo

[Vikingman]

I am not doing it. I had the opportunity to get $300 from Apollo yearly for signing up and decided against it. Will keep to myself for now.

[DoubleBond]

As long as there is no legislation against gene-based discrimination, and as long as there is no universal health care in the US, I would be very careful about revealing any personal DNA information.

[sstroy]

I submitted my saliva to 23andMe and waited the six weeks for the results just to be told that they couldn't complete the test and I would need to submit a new tube. They sent me a new free kit. Is this common? Do they do this if the results were "bad" and just want to be sure before they release the results to me?

[Tincup]

I submitted my saliva to 23andMe and waited the six weeks for the results just to be told that they couldn't complete the test and I would need to submit a new tube. They sent me a new free kit. Is this common? Do they do this if the results were "bad" and just want to be sure before they release the results to me?

I have no idea how common, but certainly possible with any lab testing. One friend had her results come back asking if she was sure she was female. She retested with same result. She got upset and never finished the discussion with them. Caused me to look at the gender SNP's in SnPedia. Turns out it wasn't as binary as I would have assumed. I would have loved to see her detailed data.

[NF52]

I submitted my saliva to 23andMe and waited the six weeks for the results just to be told that they couldn't complete the test and I would need to submit a new tube. They sent me a new free kit. Is this common? Do they do this if the results were "bad" and just want to be sure before they release the results to me?

Welcome!

As someone who got “bad” results on the first try, I think it’s much more likely that you either didn’t get enough spit into the tube, or they accidentally didn’t get enough out to test.
As for those “bad” results that I had two copies of ApoE 4, they allowed me to learn how to improve my health, volunteer in a clinical trial and join this wonderful community. At almost age 68, my brain is still doing fine (a benefit of learning my cognitive scores when the clinical trial ended) and I appreciate every day. You have a chance to think about whether you want the results, or want to pass on the re-do and just make decisions that work for you. I have family members who are happy with not knowing and still work to stay healthy.

[sstroy]

I apologize for using the wrong terminology in my original post by using the word "bad". I did not mean to offend anyone. I am new to this site. My mother passed away from Alzheimer's Disease two weeks ago. It was very painful to watch her suffer throughout this disease, but especially during these last few months. I resubmitted the test to 23andme because I think it is important for me to know my status and to do what I can to change or postpone the debilitating effects of this disease. I have read the book "The End of Alzheimer's" and recognize my need to make lifestyle changes regardless of the outcome of my test.

[summer0088]

Hi sstroy! Welcome to the ApoE4 forum!

I understand how that could make you feel uneasy. I personally haven't done 23andMe but I know lots of members have and they will probably be offering some insight on this topic.

If you haven't already explored the forum, here are some areas that you may find helpful. The "How-to" guide in the wiki link is great and helps to get the most out of the Apoe4 website. You may also want to view the Primer, written by one of our physician members and is a great introduction. Also, feel free to introduce yourself to the community in the Our Stories section.

So happy to have you here, sstroy, and hearing more about your journey and supporting one another along the way Stay safe!

[NF52]

I apologize for using the wrong terminology in my original post by using the word "bad". I did not mean to offend anyone. I am new to this site. My mother passed away from Alzheimer's Disease two weeks ago. It was very painful to watch her suffer throughout this disease, but especially during these last few months. I resubmitted the test to 23andme because I think it is important for me to know my status and to do what I can to change or postpone the debilitating effects of this disease. I have read the book "The End of Alzheimer's" and recognize my need to make lifestyle changes regardless of the outcome of my test.

Hello again,

Please don't feel that you ever have to apologize for using the word "bad"; it certainly didn't offend me. I would have used much harsher words and phrases when I got the news 6 years ago1 Many people find this forum when they feel like they've been thrown into a very dark place by unexpected test results--or even by having their suspicions confirmed on a test. ApoE4.info exists to help us discover that whatever our results, those genes are not destiny! Decisions, small and large, can dramatically improve our health now and in the future.

Having lost my own mother to Alzheimer's 12 years ago, please accept my deepest condolences on your mother's recent passing. I am sure she would be proud of your determination to turn the pain of watching her suffer into a determination to write a different future for yourself. I hope over time the memories of the last few months are softened by remembering your happiest moments with her, and the times she found and gave joy and love to others.

The first resource I found here, and the one I still think is the best for new members is Dr. Stavia's Primer, recommended in the reply to you by our Health Coach Intern summer0088. The strategies listed can be browsed out of order, and offer a quick tutorial with steps you can start to take a few at a time, without feeling you have to turn your life upside down.

We're here to help in whatever ways you find useful.