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 report examines 24 genes across six clinical categories that together map the complete thyroid hormone lifecycle:

• HPT Axis — CAPZB, FKBP5, GPX1, PDE8B, TG, TSHR: these genes control the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid signalling cascade, thyroglobulin production, TSH receptor sensitivity, and the antioxidant protection of thyroid tissue; GPX1, TG, and TSHR are also implicated in autoimmune thyroid disease
• Autoimmune — CTLA4, FOXE1, HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1, PTPN22: these immune-regulation genes influence susceptibility to Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease, and other autoimmune thyroid conditions
• Inflammation — CD40, FCRL3, IL6, TNF, GC, VDR: chronic inflammation can disrupt thyroid function and accelerate autoimmune progression; GC and VDR also affect vitamin D status, which plays a key role in immune tolerance
• Transport — SLCO1B1, SLCO1C1: these organic anion transporter genes determine how efficiently thyroid hormones are carried across cell membranes and the blood-brain barrier
• Activation — DIO1, DIO2, BCO1, GC, VDR: DIO1 and DIO2 are the deiodinase enzymes responsible for converting inactive T4 into active T3 in peripheral tissues; BCO1, GC, and VDR affect the processing of vitamin A and vitamin D cofactors that support this conversion
• Metabolism — SULT1A1, SULT1E1, UGT1A1: these phase II detoxification genes control the sulphation and glucuronidation pathways through which used thyroid hormones are conjugated and cleared from the body

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

• Experience symptoms of hypothyroidism — fatigue, weight gain, cold hands and feet, dry skin, constipation, brain fog, depression, or hair thinning — especially if standard thyroid blood tests have come back within the normal range
• Experience symptoms of hyperthyroidism — anxiety, heart palpitations, insomnia, heat intolerance, or unexplained weight loss
• Have a family history of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, Graves' disease, or another autoimmune thyroid condition
• Have been diagnosed with a thyroid condition and want to understand the genetic factors driving it, to guide nutritional and lifestyle support alongside medication
• Suspect poor T4-to-T3 conversion because you feel unwell despite thyroid medication that brings your TSH into range
• Want to understand how your genetic profile affects your requirement for thyroid-supporting nutrients — particularly selenium, iodine, vitamin D, and vitamin A

No — a DNA test identifies genetic susceptibility, not a clinical diagnosis. Hashimoto's thyroiditis and Graves' disease are diagnosed through thyroid blood markers (TSH, free T3, free T4) and thyroid antibody testing (TPO antibodies, TRAb). What this test reveals is whether you carry gene variants in CTLA4, FOXE1, HLA-DQA1, HLA-DQB1, PTPN22, and other immune-regulation genes that increase your inherited risk of developing these autoimmune conditions. This is particularly valuable if you have a family history of thyroid autoimmunity and want to take preventive action — through targeted nutrition, gut health optimisation, and management of environmental triggers such as stress, toxins, and infections — before antibodies rise to a clinical threshold. If autoimmune thyroid disease is already suspected, your practitioner may recommend thyroid antibody blood testing alongside this genetic report to see whether the predisposition is currently active.

DIO1 and DIO2 are deiodinase enzymes that convert thyroxine (T4) — the relatively inactive hormone produced by the thyroid gland — into triiodothyronine (T3), the biologically active form that drives metabolism in almost every cell. DIO2 is particularly important in the brain, pituitary, and skeletal muscle, where local T3 production is critical for energy, cognitive function, and mood. Variants in DIO1 or DIO2 can reduce conversion efficiency, meaning that even if the thyroid gland produces adequate T4 and blood tests show a normal TSH, the tissues that depend on locally activated T3 may not be receiving enough. This is one of the reasons some patients continue to feel fatigued, foggy, or cold despite being told their thyroid function is normal. Identifying deiodinase variants allows practitioners to support T4-to-T3 conversion through targeted nutritional cofactors — particularly selenium, which is essential for deiodinase enzyme activity.

A standard NHS thyroid blood test typically measures TSH and sometimes free T4. More comprehensive private panels may add free T3 and thyroid antibodies. These blood tests are valuable because they show your current thyroid hormone levels at a single point in time — but they do not explain why those levels are what they are. The Lifecode GX Thyroid Balance DNA test answers a different question: it reveals your genetic blueprint for thyroid hormone production, transport, activation, autoimmune susceptibility, and clearance. For example, your blood test might show borderline low T3, and your DNA test might reveal DIO2 variants that impair T4-to-T3 conversion — together, these results explain the mechanism and guide a more precise intervention. The two test types are complementary, not interchangeable, and many practitioners recommend both.

Thyroid health does not exist in isolation — it is deeply influenced by immune function, inflammation, and nutrient cofactors. The inflammation genes (CD40, FCRL3, IL6, TNF) are included because chronic low-grade inflammation is a recognised driver of autoimmune thyroid disease and can impair thyroid hormone signalling even when the gland itself is functioning. GC and VDR affect vitamin D metabolism, and adequate vitamin D status is essential for immune tolerance — deficiency has been associated with higher rates of Hashimoto's and Graves' disease. BCO1 affects the conversion of beta-carotene into active vitamin A, another cofactor required for thyroid hormone receptor function. By including these genes, the report allows practitioners to identify whether inflammation, vitamin D insufficiency, or vitamin A metabolism may be contributing to thyroid dysfunction — and to address these upstream factors nutritionally rather than focusing solely on the thyroid gland itself.

The product page highlights several environmental factors that interact with genetic predisposition to influence thyroid health:

• Nutrients — tyrosine (the amino acid precursor to thyroid hormones), selenium (essential for deiodinase enzymes and thyroid antioxidant protection via GPX1), and iodine (required for T3 and T4 synthesis)
• Toxins — fluoride, chlorine, and moulds can disrupt thyroid hormone production and signalling; halides like fluoride compete with iodine for uptake by the thyroid gland
• Stress — psychosocial and physical stressors activate the HPA axis and can suppress HPT axis function, reducing thyroid hormone output; the FKBP5 gene in this report directly influences cortisol regulation and stress resilience
• Infections — bacteria and viruses can trigger autoimmune thyroid disease in genetically susceptible individuals, particularly those carrying variants in the HLA and PTPN22 genes

Understanding which genetic vulnerabilities you carry allows your practitioner to prioritise which environmental factors to address — for example, optimising selenium and iodine intake, reducing toxin exposure, or managing stress more aggressively.

The DNA report reveals genetic predisposition; functional testing shows what is happening right now. Depending on your results and symptoms, your practitioner may recommend:

• To measure current thyroid hormone and antibody levels — the clinic's Full Blood Test includes TSH, T3, and T4 as part of a 48-marker panel with a nurse home visit (UK only), giving a real-time snapshot of thyroid function alongside broader health markers
• If cortisol and stress are affecting thyroid output — the DUTCH Adrenal Stress Test evaluates your cortisol rhythm and HPA axis function, which directly interacts with the HPT axis genes in this report
• If broader hormone imbalances are suspected — the Hormones DNA Report covers oestrogen, testosterone, cortisol, and DHEA genetics, many of which interact with thyroid hormone pathways
• If detoxification variants are flagged in the metabolism section — the Detoxification DNA Report provides a deeper analysis of phase I and phase II clearance pathways beyond the SULT and UGT genes included here
• If gut health or autoimmune triggers are a concern — a GI360 Complete stool test can assess gut inflammation, permeability, and microbial balance, all of which influence autoimmune thyroid disease progression