Frequently Asked Questions

Typical turnaround time for getting results is 6 weeks, once samples arrive at the lab. We will email you as soon as your report is ready.

Your DNA is analyzed in 8 individual categories: gluten, lactose, cow milk protein, egg, peanut, other foods, pet dander, and histamine. In your report, results for each category where your genetics show a higher likelihood of sensitivity include the following sections:

Your Results—See details about your DNA data and a conclusion statement

Diet Tips—Get advice from professionals on how to improve your diet to lessen symptoms of sensitivity

Lifestyle Tips—Discover actionable changes you can make and steps you can take to relieve effects of sensitivity

Supplement Tips—Which supplements can be most helpful? We’ll tell you!

No. HomeDNA Food & Pet Sensitivity focuses solely on those genes that are related to the body’s sensitivity to the eight specifically-named irritants included in this test. Any DNA test performed to detect predictors for disease should be interpreted by a physician or a certified genetic counselor. Also, keep in mind this is not an allergy test. Confirmation of allergies should be issued by your medical provider.

This is a scientifically-based test. See links below for studies used in the test report. Additionally, we have laboratory protocols that ensure very high accuracy, and so you can be sure your test has been processed correctly. Your genes play a big role in your body composition but it’s important to realize lifestyle and environmental factors may also play a significant role in sensitivities to irritants.

GLUTEN

I tested my vitamin D level. What do my results mean?
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/i-tested-my-vitamin-d-level-what-do-my-results-mean/

Test ID: ZNS
http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8620

LACTOSE

Lactose Intolerance
https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/digestive-diseases/lactose-intolerance/Pages/facts.aspx

Lactose digestion from unmodified, low-fat and lactose-hydrolyzed yogurt in adult lactose-maldigesters.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=1559509

Improved clinical tolerance to chronic lactose ingestion in subjects with lactose intolerance: a placebo effect?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=9414969

The effect of oral supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri or tilactase in lactose intolerant patients: randomized trial
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=20391953

Beneficial effects of long-term consumption of a probiotic combination of Lactobacillus casei Shirota and Bifidobacterium breve Yakult may persist after suspension of therapy in lactose-intolerant patients.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=22402407

The effects of the DDS-1 strain of lactobacillus on symptomatic relief for lactose intolerance – a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover clinical trial.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27207411

Effect of exogenous beta-galactosidase in patients with lactose malabsorption and intolerance: a crossover double-blind placebo-controlled study.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15674309

Serum diamine oxidase activity is associated with lactose malabsorption phenotypic variation.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27593109

COW MILK PROTEIN
How I Treat Vitamin D Deficiency
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2835491/

Role of immunoglobulin G antibodies in diagnosis of food allergy.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5004213/

Gut Microbiota as a Target for Preventive and Therapeutic Intervention against Food Allergy.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28657607

Baked Milk and Egg Diets for Milk and Egg Allergy Management.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26617232

Hypo-allergenic and therapeutic significance of goat milk
https://doi.org/10.1016/0921-4488(94)90105-8

Camel milk for food allergies in children.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16382703

EGG

Role of immunoglobulin G antibodies in diagnosis of food allergy
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5004213/

Baked Milk and Egg Diets for Milk and Egg Allergy Management.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26617232

Egg allergy
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/egg-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20372115

Oral and sublingual immunotherapy for egg allergy.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25405335

PEANUT

The prevalence, severity, and distribution of childhood food allergy in the United States.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21690110

Role of immunoglobulin G antibodies in diagnosis of food allergy.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5004213/

Aflatoxins: Implications on Health.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28428686

OTHER FOODS

Fish oil supplementation in pregnancy and lactation may decrease the risk of infant allergy.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=19489765

Fish consumption during the first year of life and development of allergic diseases during childhood.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=16867056

Role of selenium and zinc in the pathogenesis of food allergy in infants and young children.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=PMC3542500

Influence of diet on the gut microbiome and implications for human health

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5385025/

Dietary Fiber and Bacterial SCFA Enhance Oral Tolerance and Protect against Food Allergy through Diverse Cellular Pathways.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=27332875

Impact of dietary factors and food processing on food allergy. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/mnfr.201200472/abstract;jsessionid=DD4CEBEF666280BB6FBC9C74910B712E.f01t01

Increased food diversity in the first year of life is inversely associated with allergic diseases.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=24508301

Vitamin D and food allergies in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=28441981

The prevalence, severity, and distribution of childhood food allergy in the United States.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21690110

Dichlorophenol-containing pesticides and allergies: results from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23176881

Stress and food allergy: mechanistic considerations.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24428964

Nutrients Mediate Intestinal Bacteria-Mucosal Immune Crosstalk.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29416535

Various effects of different probiotic strains in allergic disorders: an update from laboratory and clinical data. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2883099/#b56

How I Treat Vitamin D Deficiency

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2835491/

Role of immunoglobulin G antibodies in diagnosis of food allergy.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5004213/

Gut Microbiota as a Target for Preventive and Therapeutic Intervention against Food Allergy.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28657607

PET DANDER

Urban environment predisposes dogs and their owners to allergic symptoms.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29371634

Urinary levels of triclosan and parabens are associated with aeroallergen and food sensitization.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=22704536

Natural treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis.        
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11056414

Gut Microbiota as a Target for Preventive and Therapeutic Intervention against Food Allergy.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28657607

HISTAMINE

Histamine and histamine intolerance.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17490952

Effect of Different Cooking Methods on Histamine Levels in Selected Foods.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29200758

Circadian profiling reveals higher histamine plasma levels and lower diamine oxidase serum activities in 24% of patients with suspected histamine intolerance compared to food allergy and controls.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29154390

Diamine Oxidase from White Pea (Lathyrus sativus) Combined with Catalase Protects the Human Intestinal Caco-2 Cell Line from Histamine Damage

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5486577/

Antihistamine effect of supplemental ascorbic acid and neutrophil chemotaxis.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1578094

Specific change of histamine metabolism in acute magnesium-deficient young rats.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3111814

Vitamin B-6 nutriture and plasma diamine oxidase activity in pregnant Hispanic teenagers.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3098085

Physiological concentrations of zinc inhibit the release of histamine from human basophils and lung mast cells. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2425567

Histamine and gut mucosal immune regulation.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24286351

New approach for the diagnosis of histamine intolerance based on the determination of histamine and methylhistamine in urine.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28715791

Yes. For minor children, parental consent for testing is required via written signature on the swab envelopes.

No. New York and Maryland do not allow the retail sale or purchase of home DNA tests at this time. 

No. This test measures  your sensitivity to common irritants at the cellular (DNA) level. Since DNA stays constant from childhood through adulthood, there is no need to test again. 

Shrimp, apples, tree nuts, soy, soybean, fish, corn, and yeast are included in this category.

Gluten and dairy sensitivities have the most immediate physical effect on most people, so those whose DNA shows the possibility of sensitivities in these areas may want to start with those tips to see if it brings them relief. If symptoms remain, try eliminating foods from other categories, such as eggs and peanuts, then finally edibles from the “Other Foods” category. Of course, genetic indications of food or pet dander sensitivity are only one piece of the puzzle. Other factors, such as current diet, exercise, or other environmental conditions, may also affect sensitivity. Consult your medical practitioner before taking any supplements or making significant changes to your diet.

RESULTS INCONCLUSIVE  is displayed when the lab cannot detect the alleles (letters) that match with your gene or the gene is not found. This does not mean there is anything wrong with your genes or that there is something wrong with you.  Each time a new DNA sample is received, the lab creates a new analysis. Sometimes an analysis produces results that fall outside the area that the software expects. When this happens, the software cannot determine which letter combination (A, T, C, G)  is the correct result and issues the following symbol as a result:  (–) . RESULTS INCONCLUSIVE is displayed because the algorithm needs a letter combination to make a conclusion about your sensitivity. You may have (–) as a result for one of your genes and still have sensitivities to certain foods or pet dander. Rerunning your DNA cannot fix this issue, because the same thing will happen again.