DNA tests are not that easy to interpret unless you have genetics training, therefore our team reviews each report 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.

Every human has a slightly different genetic makeup. We inherit our gene variants from both parents so although you may have similar genes to your child you will not have identical gene mutations. Our genes are the same from the moment we are born so you only ever need to do this test once in your lifetime and you will have the data on your gene variants for life.

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 blood tests in the UK can be obtained for free under the NHS we don’t include this as a package price. General blood tests are not necessary but if you are concerned about your current health or have not had a general blood test in some time you may prefer to speak to your GP or we can offer a private full blood test HERE - this is for UK residents only and involves having a nurse come to your home to take your sample. Patients must be over 18 years old for this test. Results are provided separately to your DNA reports.

We offer a huge range of testing so when a member of our genetics team is assigned to review your results they may feel you would benefit from other specific testing such as genetic age testing, hormones ( cortisol, testosterone / estrogen levels etc), microbiome gut analysis, food intolerance, amino acids & homocysteine or mould / toxin testing. If any additional testing is required, this will be advised in your zoom call / written plan. *Note if you are adding multiple tests to your basket you only need to complete the patient form once.
*If you are ordering 2 or more tests? Use code FAB5 for a 5% discount.

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

Lifecode Gx are the labs we use in the UK to process your cheek cells as the sample type. They are an ISO certified UK laboratory and only do DNA testing, making them specialists in this area. This genotyping methodology has an accuracy rate of at least 99.9%.

The benefits being that cheek swab DNA collection is convenient and painless to collect, and samples are easily transportable and stable. The quality of DNA collected is as good as, and the results as accurate as, from blood or saliva. Your DNA is fixed at birth so this test is suitable at any age and you only ever need to do this test once in your lifetime. Cheek cell DNA samples are 99.9% accurate—blood has a very similar accuracy rate, so whether you choose to have a blood DNA test or use our cheek cell DNA test the results will be the same.

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.

Once you have ordered via our website you will receive an email notification when your kit has been shipped to you via Royal Mail 1st Class service for UK (courier for international orders). Please allow 3 working days for your kit to arrive. You can then freepost your sample back to the labs via Royal Mail 1st class prepaid envelope (note international orders are not free post).

We will then email you to let you know your sample has been safely received at the labs and your genotyping has started. If you would like the video call option you can receive your results and appointment in approx 3 weeks. If you would prefer the written summary advice report this will be in approx 4 weeks.

You will not hear from us during the time your sample is being processed unless there is an issue with your sample.

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 test examines 7 genes across three clinical categories that together determine your genetic capacity to break down and clear histamine:

• DAO (diamine oxidase) — the primary enzyme for breaking down histamine in the gut; variants can reduce enzyme activity, leading to histamine accumulation after eating histamine-rich foods
• HNMT (histamine-N-methyltransferase) — metabolises histamine in the nervous system and lungs; reduced HNMT function can contribute to neurological and respiratory histamine symptoms
• MAOB (monoamine oxidase B) — involved in the breakdown of several amines including histamine-related metabolites in the brain
• NAT2 (N-acetyltransferase 2) — an acetylation enzyme that affects the clearance of histamine and other biogenic amines; slow acetylator status can increase sensitivity
• ALDH2 (aldehyde dehydrogenase 2) — processes acetaldehyde produced during histamine metabolism in the gut; variants can impair this step and worsen reactions to alcohol and fermented foods
• GPX1 (glutathione peroxidase 1) — protects cells from oxidative damage that can be triggered by excess histamine and inflammation
• MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) — affects methylation capacity, which is required for HNMT-dependent histamine clearance and for producing the methyl groups needed to deactivate histamine

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

• Experience headaches, migraines, or facial flushing that worsen after eating certain foods or drinking alcohol
• Have unexplained skin reactions — hives, itching, rashes, or eczema flares — that feel like allergies but do not show up on standard allergy testing
• Suffer from digestive problems such as bloating, abdominal pain, or diarrhoea that seem to be triggered by fermented, smoked, or aged foods
• Experience insomnia, anxiety, or a racing heart that you suspect may be linked to food or environmental triggers
• Have breathing difficulties, nasal congestion, or asthma-like symptoms that fluctuate without a clear allergic cause
• Have been diagnosed with or suspect Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) and want to understand the genetic component of your histamine clearance capacity
• React badly to DAO-blocking substances — NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or aspirin, black tea, green tea, or alcohol — and want to know whether a genetic DAO variant is amplifying the effect

No — a DNA test identifies genetic predisposition, not a clinical diagnosis. Histamine intolerance results from an imbalance between histamine accumulation and the body's capacity to break it down, and that capacity is influenced by both genetics and environment. You may carry gene variants that reduce DAO or HNMT activity, but whether this translates into symptoms depends on additional factors including gut health, diet, medication use, stress, and current inflammation levels. The genetic results tell your practitioner which enzyme pathways are genetically vulnerable, allowing them to target nutritional and dietary support more precisely. For a real-time measurement of how your body is currently handling histamine, your practitioner may recommend pairing this DNA test with the Histamine / DAO full blood test, which measures actual circulating histamine and DAO enzyme levels.

DAO and HNMT are the two main enzymes responsible for breaking down histamine, but they operate in different parts of the body. DAO (diamine oxidase) works primarily in the gut, where it degrades histamine absorbed from food before it enters the bloodstream. If DAO activity is genetically reduced or further impaired by blockers such as alcohol, NSAIDs, or fermented foods, dietary histamine can overwhelm the system and trigger symptoms. HNMT (histamine-N-methyltransferase) works inside cells, particularly in the nervous system and lungs, where it methylates and deactivates histamine that has already been absorbed. Covering both pathways in a single test is important because a patient may have normal DAO function but impaired HNMT, or vice versa — and the resulting symptom patterns and intervention strategies differ. For example, gut-predominant symptoms point more strongly towards DAO, while neurological symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, and brain fog may indicate HNMT involvement.

MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) is a key methylation gene, and methylation is directly required for HNMT to deactivate histamine. The HNMT enzyme works by transferring a methyl group onto histamine, converting it into an inactive form — but this process depends on an adequate supply of methyl donors, which is influenced by MTHFR function. If you carry MTHFR variants that reduce methylation efficiency, your HNMT pathway may underperform even if the HNMT gene itself is normal, because the methylation cofactors it depends on are in short supply. This is why practitioners sometimes see histamine symptoms improve when methylation support (such as methylfolate or methylcobalamin) is introduced. If your MTHFR result warrants deeper investigation, the clinic offers a comprehensive Methylation DNA Test that maps the full methylation cycle.

Even if your DAO gene is functioning normally, certain dietary and pharmaceutical factors can temporarily reduce DAO activity and push you into histamine overload. The product page identifies the following DAO blockers:

• Alcohol — particularly red wine, beer, and spirits, which both contain histamine and inhibit DAO
• Smoked and fermented foods — including aged cheese, sauerkraut, cured meats, and fermented soy products
• Black tea and green tea
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin

If you carry a DAO gene variant that already reduces enzyme output, exposure to these blockers can have a compounding effect — which is why some people tolerate moderate amounts of histamine-rich food on some days but react strongly on others, depending on what else they have consumed or taken. Your practitioner can help you identify your personal threshold and build a dietary strategy around your genetic results.

The two tests answer complementary questions. This Lifecode GX DNA test reveals your fixed genetic capacity to produce and deploy the enzymes (DAO, HNMT, and supporting pathways) that break down histamine — it tells you what your body is genetically programmed to do. The Histamine / DAO full blood test, by contrast, measures your actual circulating histamine levels and DAO enzyme activity at a single point in time, reflecting what is happening in your body right now given your current diet, gut health, medication use, and stress levels. Many practitioners recommend both: the DNA test to identify the underlying genetic vulnerabilities, and the blood test to confirm whether those vulnerabilities are actively causing a histamine clearance problem that needs intervention.

Depending on your results and symptom pattern, your practitioner may suggest additional testing:

• If you want to measure current histamine and DAO levels — the Histamine / DAO full blood test provides a real-time biochemical snapshot
• If gut health may be impairing DAO production — a Comprehensive Stool Analysis or GI360 Complete can assess whether dysbiosis, inflammation, or intestinal damage is reducing gut-based DAO output
• If MTHFR or broader methylation variants are flagged — the Methylation DNA Test provides a comprehensive map of the full methylation cycle, including genes that affect the methyl donor supply HNMT depends on
• If food intolerances beyond histamine are suspected — a food intolerance panel can identify additional dietary triggers that may be compounding your symptoms
• If mould exposure is a concern — mycotoxins can trigger mast cell activation and worsen histamine symptoms; the Mycotoxin Mould Test can help rule this in or out