All kits are shipped via Royal Mail 1st Class. For international orders your kit is shipped via tracked courier.

Important: Before you send your sample back you need to register your kit by scanning the QR code or following this link: https://yourgutmap.co.uk/dnamap-form

For UK and Ireland your kit will include a pre‑paid envelope to return your sample.
For international orders the lab will provide a free return‑postage label for you to print and send via local courier drop-off point.

For international orders: When you are ready to send your sample back, complete the return‑shipping form here: portal.yourgutmap.co.uk/samplereturn. The lab team will then email you a label to print and drop-off at a local courier.

The lab report is typically emailed to you in approximately 4 weeks from the time the lab receives your sample.

The test examines 24 gene variants that influence neurotransmitter production, signalling, and clearance across multiple brain chemistry pathways relevant to ADHD and neurodiversity. The full gene list is:

• Dopamine pathway — DRD2 (ANKK1), TH, SLC6A4 (DAT1), DBH, COMT
• Serotonin pathway — HTR1A, HTR1B
• GABA signalling — GAD1, GAD2, GABRA2, APLP1
• Adrenergic response — ADRB1, ADRB2, SLC6A2, PNMT
• Monoamine metabolism — MAOA, MAOB
• Endocannabinoid system — CNR1, TRPV1
• Melatonin synthesis — ASMT
• Methylation — MTHFR
• Vitamin D receptor — VDR
• Stress response — FKBP5
• Caffeine metabolism — ADORA2A

Many of these genes affect overlapping pathways — for example, COMT influences both dopamine and noradrenaline clearance, while MAOA and MAOB metabolise serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline simultaneously. This interconnected analysis helps practitioners identify where neurotransmitter imbalances are most likely to be occurring.

This test is suitable for anyone at any age who wants to explore the genetic factors behind attention, focus, and impulse-control difficulties. It is particularly relevant if you:

• Suspect you or your child may have ADHD but have not yet received a formal diagnosis and want to understand whether there is a genetic predisposition
• Have been diagnosed with ADHD and want to understand which specific neurotransmitter pathways are affected, to guide nutritional and lifestyle support alongside any existing treatment
• Are a parent wanting to explore whether a child's behavioural or attention difficulties have a genetic component
• Experience overlapping traits associated with ADHD and ASD, and want a broader neurodiversity picture
• Have tried standard approaches to managing focus and concentration and want a more personalised, gene-guided strategy
• Are a practitioner working within a functional medicine framework who wants genetic data to inform targeted supplement and dietary protocols

No — this test cannot diagnose ADHD. ADHD is a clinical diagnosis made by a qualified healthcare professional based on behavioural criteria, developmental history, and clinical assessment. What this test does is identify specific gene variants that affect the neurotransmitter pathways most commonly implicated in ADHD — particularly dopamine, noradrenaline, serotonin, and GABA signalling. The results can help explain why certain ADHD-related traits may be present, and they provide a genetic basis for tailoring nutritional support, but they do not replace a clinical evaluation. Many people use this test to complement a formal diagnosis, or to explore whether a genetic predisposition exists before pursuing further assessment.

Dopamine and noradrenaline are the two neurotransmitters most directly linked to ADHD symptoms. Dopamine drives motivation, reward processing, and the ability to sustain attention, while noradrenaline supports alertness, focus, and impulse regulation. This test examines several genes that control how these neurotransmitters are produced, transported, and broken down:

• DRD2 (ANKK1) — encodes the dopamine D2 receptor, influencing reward sensitivity and motivation
• TH — involved in the initial synthesis of dopamine from tyrosine
• SLC6A4 (DAT1) — the dopamine transporter gene, which determines how quickly dopamine is cleared from the synapse
• DBH — converts dopamine into noradrenaline; variants can affect the balance between these two neurotransmitters
• COMT — metabolises both dopamine and noradrenaline; slow COMT variants can lead to higher prefrontal cortex dopamine levels, affecting executive function
• SLC6A2 — the noradrenaline transporter, influencing how quickly noradrenaline is recycled

Variants in any of these genes can shift the balance of dopamine and noradrenaline signalling, contributing to the attention, focus, and impulsivity traits associated with ADHD.

Yes — the test is suitable from any age. The cheek-swab collection is painless, non-invasive, and straightforward to carry out with a child. Because DNA is fixed from birth, results are valid for life and the test only needs to be done once. Parents often order this test when a child is showing early signs of attention or behavioural difficulty and they want to understand whether genetic factors may be involved, either before or alongside a formal clinical assessment. The personalised nutritional recommendations included in the report are tailored to the individual's genetic profile and can be discussed with your practitioner to ensure any suggested supplements or dietary adjustments are age-appropriate.

Yes — kit registration is a mandatory step before you post your sample back to the laboratory. You can register by scanning the QR code included in your kit instructions, or by visiting yourgutmap.co.uk/dnamap-form directly. If you return your sample without registering, the lab will not be able to process it. International customers also need to complete a return-shipping form at portal.yourgutmap.co.uk/samplereturn to receive a free return-postage label before sending their sample back.

There is significant overlap between this ADHD Genetic Test and the Nervous System DNA Test from Lifecode GX, as both examine neurotransmitter pathway genes — including COMT, MAOA, MAOB, HTR1A, GAD1, GAD2, GABRA2, CNR1, TRPV1, ASMT, DBH, PNMT, ADRB2, SLC6A2, MTHFR, VDR, and FKBP5. The key differences are focus and scope. This ADHD test is specifically designed around the gene variants most commonly implicated in attention deficit and hyperactivity, and it includes additional dopamine-specific markers such as DRD2, TH, SLC6A4 (DAT1), ADORA2A, and ADRB1 that do not appear in the Nervous System report. The Nervous System test, by contrast, covers a broader emotional health picture including the kynurenic acid and full melatonin pathways. Your practitioner can advise which test — or combination — is most appropriate depending on whether ADHD traits, broader mood and emotional regulation, or both are the primary concern.

Genetics reveal predisposition, but functional testing shows what is actually happening in your body right now. Depending on your results and symptoms, your practitioner may recommend:

• If you want to measure current neurotransmitter levels — the Comprehensive Neurotransmitter Profile (urine test) quantifies dopamine, serotonin, GABA, noradrenaline, and their metabolites to show how your genetic variants are expressing in real-time biochemistry
• If serotonin is a specific concern — the Serotonin Urine Test provides a focused assessment of serotonin metabolism
• If stress and cortisol patterns may be contributing to attention difficulties — the DUTCH Adrenal Stress Test evaluates the cortisol awakening response and daily cortisol rhythm
• If vitamin D status is flagged by VDR variants in your report — a Vitamin D dried blood spot test can confirm whether your current levels are adequate
• If MTHFR variants are present and methylation is a concern — the Methylation DNA Test provides a comprehensive map of the full methylation cycle

Combining genetic insights with functional test results allows your practitioner to build a fully personalised support plan.