DNA tests are not that easy to interpret unless you have genetics training, therefore we recommend purchasing a support package so our team reviews your results and compares this against the personal information you have provided at checkout regarding your current health, diet and supplement / medicine intake. All patients will receive a lab report.

All lab reports include:

• personalised, colour coded genotype results
• gene function and SNP impact descriptions
• clinically relevant SNPs
• nutrient and other epigenetic impacts
• links to research evidence

In addition to your lab report we provide the following options which are INCLUDED in your original price:

A) Follow up 30 minute video call to discuss your results and answer any questions you have. Once the labs have completed your DNA results you will be sent a link to book a time and day online. Advice will be given on supplements and lifestyle support. After your call you are sent a short email with supplements your practitioner advises with links to purchase.

OR

B) Follow up written report explaining your variants and highlighting dietary and lifestyle advice and links to supplement suggestions included. We do not provide an example of this report as it is personalised to each patient but it usually runs to 3 pages of detailed actionable advice.

OR

C) Both zoom call and written summary with personalised next steps (Zoom call is first and written report follows).

Every patient will get a colour coded lab report—your choice is how to receive your personalised interpretation of this report. You have a choice of a video call or a written summary or both.

The video call is ideal if you want your results faster or if you are new to DNA testing. It also allows you to ask your practitioner questions about your variants. Please check at the start of your call if your practitioner is happy for you to record your Zoom session. Usually if you confirm this will not be used on social media / uploaded to public forums etc, then this is allowed for your private use (please note zoom links last 2 weeks so please make sure you download and save locally). You will get a short email after your call with supplement links your practitioner recommends.

The written summary is better for those who want a full written explanation of their variants and links to supplement suggestions. Some patients feel more comfortable with a written interpretation but essentially both options will give you the same information just in different formats.

The test is a simple, non-invasive oral sample (cheek swab). The only requirement is to abstain from eating/drinking for at least 1 hour before testing. The sample is placed in a tube with a stabilising capsule and returned with a signed consent form. Please use our details under ‘practitioner’ on the lab form.

There are no special storage or transport requirements and you can return any day. Each test kit is supplied with a return envelope which is prepaid for returns from within the UK and can be simply dropped into a post box. It is rare but some samples do fail laboratory standards if you do not extract enough DNA onto the mouth swab. You can take this test at any time of day, there is no need to stop taking medications or supplements with this test.

The most common reason for sample fails is patients forgetting to include the stabilising capsule included in your kit or not returning the consent form. Please DO NOT open the contents of the stabilising capsule, include it whole. Please ensure you do not eat, drink or smoke for 1 hour prior to taking test. In the event your test fails laboratory standards you will receive 1 free replacement kit. UK orders are re-posted at no additional charge however international orders will need to pay additional delivery charges for failed tests—see below.

The returns package provided has a freepost address on it so if you live in the UK you can simply pop your sample into any postbox for free returns. We do recognise that some patients prefer to send samples recorded / special delivery for peace of mind. If you choose this option, you will need to use a different address to return your sample: Lifecode Gx, c/o WeWork, Unit 1 Provost & East Building, 145 City Road, London, EC1V 1AZ

Orders OUTSIDE UK - Yes we can now ship this test overseas to selected countries. Please select your country at checkout. If you want to order multiple DNA tests for friends or family we can package these together so you only pay one shipping cost. We use UPS for European orders and DHL for other countries, deliveries usually arrive with patients in 3–6 days.

The test kits (swab and stabilising capsule) are declared as “no commercial value” and usually (90% of the time) do not require customs import fees. However, some destination country customs agents may decide to apply charges, and this is beyond our control and beyond the control of the courier. Usually this fee is around 17 Euro but can vary. In the unlikely event this happens, your courier will notify you if an import fee is due before delivering to you.

We provide approved packaging for the return of the sample, but you are responsible for arranging and paying for return postage. The return package is low weight and does not require any special control. Please return your sample via tracked / courier service to the labs directly: Lifecode Gx, c/o WeWork, Unit 1 Provost & East Building, 145 City Road, London, EC1V 1AZ, United Kingdom.

For international orders we include 2 swabs per patient so please ensure each patient does 2 swabs. This makes a ‘test failure’ at the laboratory much more unlikely, however in the very rare case that both swabs fail please ensure you note our returns / refund policy.

All reports are provided in English. Unfortunately we are unable to ship to Spain, Canada or Russia at this time for export reasons. If you live in a country we do not ship to currently then please contact us and we will try to accommodate your request.

As long as cheek swabs are stored in the tube provided in the buccal swab kit, samples remain viable for up to 6 months.

No. As we're testing the genetic code, which is fixed, the test is not impacted by illness, infections, medication, the food you eat, or supplements you take. To avoid contamination of the sample, please abstain from eating / drinking for at least 1 hour before testing. Continue taking all your prescription medications and supplements as normal but please note them on your patient form at checkout.

Each test is processed in the ISO certified UK laboratory and all physical samples are completely destroyed after 3 months. All client genotyping electronic data is completely destroyed after 6 months. The client report, the data and the DNA sample is never (and will never be) shared with, or sold to third parties.

The report examines 8 genes across 5 clinical categories:

• Lipid Metabolism — APOE: determines your apolipoprotein E genotype (E2, E3, or E4), which affects cholesterol clearance from the bloodstream and is the strongest single-gene risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease
• Methylation — MTHFR: influences folate metabolism and homocysteine recycling, both of which affect cardiovascular health and neurological function
• Inflammation — IFNG and TNF: these cytokine genes regulate the inflammatory response; chronic inflammation is a recognised driver of both neurodegeneration and atherosclerosis
• Detoxification — GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1: these glutathione S-transferase genes control phase II detoxification, determining how efficiently your body clears environmental toxins that may contribute to oxidative stress in the brain
• Neuroprotection — BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor): supports the growth, survival, and plasticity of neurons; variants can affect memory formation, learning, and resilience to cognitive decline

By covering all five categories together, the report reveals how your genetic predispositions in lipid handling, methylation, inflammation, detoxification, and neuronal repair combine to shape your individual risk profile.

This test is suitable from any age and is particularly relevant if you:

• Have a parent, grandparent, or sibling who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia
• Are noticing early signs of memory difficulty, brain fog, or cognitive changes and want to understand whether genetic risk factors may be involved
• Have a personal or family history of cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, stroke, or atherosclerosis
• Want to assess your genetic longevity profile and take proactive steps to protect brain and heart health while you are still well
• Have already completed other Lifecode GX DNA reports and want to add the APOE and neuroprotection layer to your genetic picture

Because DNA is fixed from birth, results are valid for life and the test only needs to be done once.

No. Carrying one or two copies of the E4 allele increases statistical risk compared to the more common E3 genotype, but it is not a diagnosis and does not mean Alzheimer's disease is inevitable. Many people with E4 never develop dementia, and many people without E4 do. Alzheimer's is a complex condition influenced by dozens of genetic and environmental factors — including inflammation, detoxification efficiency, methylation status, diet, exercise, sleep quality, and toxic exposures — which is why this report examines MTHFR, BDNF, inflammatory, and detoxification genes alongside APOE. Understanding your E4 status gives you the opportunity to reduce modifiable risk factors through targeted nutritional and lifestyle changes, and our practitioner can help you build a personalised prevention strategy based on the full report.

Everyone inherits two copies of the APOE gene — one from each parent — and each copy can be the E2, E3, or E4 form. The six possible genotype combinations are E2/E2, E2/E3, E2/E4, E3/E3, E3/E4, and E4/E4. In broad terms:

• E3/E3 is the most common genotype and is considered the baseline reference for risk
• E2 carriers (E2/E2 or E2/E3) tend to have lower LDL cholesterol and a somewhat reduced Alzheimer's risk compared to E3/E3
• E4 carriers (E3/E4 or E4/E4) have been associated with higher plasma cholesterol, increased triglycerides, greater susceptibility to atherosclerosis, insulin resistance, and a higher statistical risk of late-onset Alzheimer's disease — with E4/E4 carrying the highest risk
• E2/E4 is a mixed genotype where the effects of both alleles interact, and risk assessment requires clinical interpretation alongside the other genes in the report

Our practitioner will interpret your specific combination in the context of your full genetic profile, family history, and current health status.

Research increasingly shows that Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular disease are not driven by a single gene but by the interaction of multiple genetic and environmental factors. Chronic low-grade inflammation — influenced by variants in IFNG and TNF — can accelerate neurodegeneration and atherosclerosis regardless of APOE status. Similarly, impaired detoxification through glutathione S-transferase variants (GSTM1, GSTT1, GSTP1) may leave the brain more vulnerable to oxidative stress from environmental toxins, heavy metals, and metabolic byproducts. MTHFR variants can affect homocysteine levels, which are an independent cardiovascular risk factor and have been linked to cognitive decline. By testing all of these genes together, the report allows your practitioner to identify which risk pathways are most relevant to you and to prioritise interventions — for example, supporting detoxification, reducing inflammation through diet, or optimising methylation with targeted B vitamin supplementation.

The APOE report is a focused panel covering Alzheimer's risk, brain health, and cardiovascular genetics. Several of its genes — particularly MTHFR and the glutathione transferases — also appear in other Lifecode GX reports because they affect multiple health pathways. Depending on your results and clinical goals, your practitioner may recommend additional reports:

• If methylation variants are flagged — the Methylation DNA Test provides a comprehensive map of your entire methylation cycle, including CBS, COMT, and other key variants
• If you want to investigate mood and neurotransmitter pathways alongside brain health — the Nervous System DNA Test examines serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and related neurotransmitter genetics
• If detoxification capacity is a concern — the Detoxification DNA Report provides a deeper analysis of phase I and phase II detoxification genes beyond the three glutathione transferases included here
• If you want to measure your current biological age relative to your chronological age — the Genetic Age Test assesses how lifestyle and environment are influencing the rate at which your body is ageing

Learning that you carry an APOE E4 allele can feel concerning, particularly if you have a family history of Alzheimer's disease. We take this seriously, which is why every support package includes either a practitioner video call or a detailed written report — both designed to place your result in its proper clinical context. An E4 result does not mean a diagnosis is coming; it means you have a piece of information that allows you to act. Many of the modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline — diet, exercise, sleep, inflammation management, toxin avoidance, and methylation support — respond well to targeted intervention, and the earlier you begin, the more impact those changes can have. If you are concerned about the emotional impact of this test, we recommend choosing the video call option so you can discuss your results directly with our practitioner team and ask questions in real time.