Last reviewed: May 12, 2026 Last updated: May 12, 2026

Written by: Jay Hastings , CEO of PlexusDx

Jay Hastings is the CEO of PlexusDx, a precision health company focused on genetic testing, blood biomarker insights, and personalized wellness recommendations. He has more than 20 years of experience across healthcare innovation, genomics, laboratory operations, healthcare investing, and strategic finance. His work has included scaling healthcare startups, leading CLIA lab integrations, and helping expand consumer access to precision health tools.

Medically reviewed by: Jayden Lee, PharmD, EMBA

Jayden Lee, PharmD, EMBA, is the PlexusDx Medical Science Liaison with a PharmD and MBA specializing in pharmacogenomics and clinical product development, with a proven ability to bridge the gap between genomic research and practical patient outcomes. Dr. Lee has more than 10 years of professional experience in clinical pharmacy, academia, and research.

This article is part of the PlexusDx Education Hub — your resource for evidence-based guidance on genetic testing and what it can tell you. Browse all genetic testing education

Genetic testing has moved from specialist clinics into everyday wellness, but the category covers very different tools with very different purposes. Before you order a test, it helps to know what each type does, what the results can and cannot tell you, and which questions to ask. Here is a practical primer.

What genetic testing is

Genetic testing analyzes your DNA to identify variants — differences in your genetic code — that can influence traits, disease risk, or how your body handles nutrients and other inputs. Your DNA does not change over your lifetime, so a single test yields information you can reference for years. What varies is the depth and intent of each test, which is where the categories below matter.

The main types of genetic tests

Diagnostic testing helps identify a genetic condition behind existing symptoms. Predictive and presymptomatic testing estimates the risk of developing a condition later, often using genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 for hereditary cancer risk. Carrier testing shows whether you could pass a condition to children. Nutrigenomic testing looks at diet-related variants, and pharmacogenomic testing is a clinical tool that examines medication-metabolism genes. Wellness genetic tests, including the PlexusDx panel, focus on pathway-level insights for education — they are not diagnostic or pharmacogenomic tests.

What results can and cannot tell you

Many wellness-relevant variants describe tendencies, not certainties. APOE variants (distinguished by rs429358) are associated with cardiovascular and cognitive risk, but carrying one does not mean you will develop a condition. MTHFR affects folate metabolism; FTO influences appetite and body weight. In each case the variant shifts probabilities and points to levers you can act on — it does not hand down a verdict. Reading results as context, not fate, is the single most important habit.

Questions to ask before you test

Start with three. First, privacy: does the company follow strong data protections and never sell or share your data without consent? Second, lab quality: is the analysis run in a CLIA-certified laboratory? Third, and most important, actionability: will the results lead to something you can actually do? A test that dumps raw data without personalized, evidence-based recommendations rarely changes behavior.

Where wellness genetic testing fits

Wellness testing sits between raw ancestry-style data and clinical diagnostics. It is designed to inform lifestyle and prevention conversations, not to replace your physician. The Precision Peptide Genetic Test analyzes 14 pathways, 49 peptides, 150+ genetic insights across metabolic, hormonal, and recovery-related pathways, delivered through the secure Results Portal with personalized, science-backed recommendations. It reports biology so you can make informed decisions with a qualified provider. If a specific biomarker prompted your interest, our guide to high ApoB and genetic testing is a useful next read.

Frequently Asked Questions About Genetic Testing

Do I need to repeat a genetic test?

No. Your DNA is stable across your lifetime, so a quality genetic test is generally a one-time investment. What evolves is how you apply the insights as your goals, diet, and health circumstances change. You revisit the same results over time rather than re-testing your genome.

Is a wellness genetic test the same as a medical diagnosis?

No. Wellness genetic tests describe predispositions and pathway-level tendencies for educational and long-term planning purposes. They do not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. If a result raises a concern, a qualified healthcare provider can determine whether clinical or diagnostic testing is appropriate.

What makes results actually useful?

Usefulness comes from actionability and lab quality. Look for CLIA-certified analysis, strong privacy protections, and personalized recommendations tied to your specific variants rather than a raw data file. Insights you can act on — in diet, activity, or provider conversations — are what turn testing into direction.

Want to see how your own biology maps to these pathways? Take the Precision Peptide Genetic Test to turn guesswork into an informed conversation with your provider.

This article is part of the PlexusDx Education Hub. Browse all genetic testing education

Disclaimer: The Precision Peptide Genetic Test analyzes how your genes influence peptide-related biological pathways. It does not recommend, prescribe, or determine which peptides you should use. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before beginning any peptide protocol.

Medical and Editorial Standards

Medical review process: This article was reviewed for medical accuracy, scientific clarity, evidence alignment, and appropriate discussion of genetics, medications, supplements, biomarkers, and health-related claims.

Sources and evidence: PlexusDx educational content is developed using peer-reviewed research, clinical literature, reputable medical references, and, where applicable, public health or regulatory guidance. References are included at the end of the article when scientific, medical, or health-related claims are discussed.

Commercial transparency: PlexusDx offers genetic testing, blood biomarker testing, personalized supplement recommendations, and related precision wellness services. Product mentions are intended to help readers understand available options and should not be interpreted as medical advice.

Important disclaimer: PlexusDx educational content is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about medications, supplements, genetic testing, lab testing, or health-related care.