HSA | FSA CARDS ARE NOW ACCEPTED

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.

Understanding Uterine Fibroids and the FASN Gene

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in the uterus that can cause heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, pressure, and potential fertility challenges. Multiple factors influence fibroid development, including hormones, environment, lifestyle, and genetics. One gene linked to fibroid risk is FASN, which encodes fatty acid synthase, an enzyme that makes fatty acids used for cell membranes, energy storage, and signaling. Variations in FASN may change local fatty acid production in uterine tissue and create an environment that supports fibroid growth.

How FASN affects uterine health

  • FASN helps produce fatty acids that support cell growth and hormone signaling in the uterus.
  • Altered fatty acid metabolism can change how uterine cells respond to estrogen and inflammation.
  • Certain FASN variants are associated with a higher likelihood of fibroid development, particularly when combined with other risk factors like high estrogen exposure or environmental chemicals that disrupt hormones.

Practical ways to support uterine and hormonal health

Regardless of genetic background, lifestyle choices can influence fibroid risk and overall reproductive wellness. The following suggestions focus on diet, supplements, movement, chemical exposure reduction, and monitoring that may help support uterine health.

Diet recommendations

  • Emphasize whole fruits and vegetables. Aim for a variety of colors to increase polyphenols and antioxidants that support healthy cell regulation.
  • Prioritize plant-based fats such as olive oil, avocado, nuts, and seeds rather than high amounts of saturated animal fats.
  • Limit processed foods, additives, and refined sugars that promote inflammation and metabolic imbalance.
  • Reduce intake of high-dairy diets and minimize concentrated soy products. Moderate, whole-food soy may be acceptable for some people, but limiting isolated soy is recommended if you are concerned about estrogenic effects.
  • Include fiber-rich foods such as legumes, whole grains, and vegetables to support healthy estrogen metabolism and elimination.
  • Ensure adequate iron if you experience heavy bleeding. Choose iron-rich plant foods or supplements as advised by your clinician.

Supplement considerations

Supplements may help support cellular health and reduce pathways linked to fibroid growth. Discuss these with your healthcare provider before starting, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medications, or have other health conditions.

  • Green tea extract (EGCG): May limit fibroid cell growth and support antioxidant defenses. Monitor dose and discuss liver safety with a clinician.
  • Resveratrol: A polyphenol with anti-inflammatory and cell signaling effects that may support healthy uterine tissue.
  • Curcumin: The active compound in turmeric that has anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties.
  • Kaempferol: A plant flavonoid found in many fruits and vegetables with potential to modulate pathways involved in fibroid growth.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids: May reduce inflammation and support balanced fatty acid profiles.

Lifestyle strategies

  • Regular exercise: Aim for a mix of aerobic activity and resistance training most days of the week to support hormone balance, weight management, and reduced inflammation.
  • Maintain a healthy body weight: Excess adipose tissue can increase estrogen production and inflammation.
  • Stress management: Chronic stress can alter hormonal regulation. Practices such as yoga, meditation, and adequate sleep support reproductive health.
  • Minimize exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals: Reduce use of plastics containing BPA and phthalates, avoid microwaving food in plastic, choose glass or stainless steel, and opt for personal care products without known endocrine disruptors.

Monitoring and testing to discuss with your clinician

  • Pelvic imaging: If you have symptoms such as heavy bleeding or pain, pelvic ultrasound or MRI can detect fibroids and track size over time.
  • Complete blood count and iron studies: If periods are heavy, check for iron deficiency anemia and monitor ferritin.
  • Hormone evaluation: In select cases, clinicians may assess estradiol, progesterone, thyroid, and metabolic markers to understand contributors to symptoms.
  • Fertility evaluation: If trying to conceive, discuss how fibroids might impact reproductive plans and whether removal or treatment is appropriate.

Genetic interpretation for FASN variant rs4247357

PlexusDx provides the genetic interpretation below to explain how your rs4247357 genotype relates to uterine fibroid risk and practical steps you can consider. This information is educational only. PlexusDx does not provide medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider for personalized medical guidance and before making changes to diet, supplements, or treatment plans.

2 effect alleles (TT)

If you have the TT genotype at rs4247357, you carry two copies of the effect allele. This genotype is associated with an increased risk of developing uterine fibroids. The T allele may alter FASN activity and local fatty acid production, potentially creating a metabolic environment that supports fibroid growth, particularly in the presence of higher estrogen levels or other risk factors.

  • Emphasize fruits, vegetables, and fiber to support healthy estrogen metabolism.
  • Choose plant-based fats and limit saturated animal fats, processed foods, and additives.
  • Limit concentrated soy and dairy if you are concerned about estrogenic exposure.
  • Consider supplements such as green tea extract (EGCG), curcumin, resveratrol, and kaempferol after discussing safety with your clinician.
  • Exercise regularly, manage stress, and reduce exposure to endocrine disruptors like BPA and phthalates.
  • Work with your clinician on routine monitoring if you have pelvic symptoms or heavy bleeding.
1 effect allele (GT)

If you have the GT genotype at rs4247357, you carry one copy of the effect allele. This genotype is associated with a likely increased risk of developing uterine fibroids compared with the non-effect genotype. The presence of one T allele can influence FASN-related fatty acid production and may make uterine tissue more responsive to growth signals, especially where estrogen exposure is higher.

  • Follow a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, fiber, and plant-based fats. Limit processed foods, additives, and high saturated fat intake.
  • Limit concentrated soy and dairy intake as a precaution, and prioritize whole food sources when possible.
  • Supplements such as EGCG, curcumin, resveratrol, and kaempferol may offer supportive effects. Review use and dosing with your healthcare provider.
  • Stay active, maintain healthy weight, and reduce exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals in plastics and personal care products.
  • If you experience symptoms, seek evaluation and imaging as recommended by your clinician.
0 effect alleles (GG)

If you have the GG genotype at rs4247357, you carry two copies of the non-effect allele and your genetic risk at this particular variant is typical. This does not mean you cannot develop fibroids. Fibroids arise from many causes including other genetic variants, hormone levels, inflammation, and environmental exposures.

  • Maintain a balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables, fiber, and plant-based fats.
  • Limit processed foods, additives, and excessive saturated fats.
  • Exercise regularly, manage stress, and limit endocrine disruptors exposure.
  • Follow routine gynecologic care, and seek evaluation if you experience heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, or fertility concerns.

Final notes

This genetic result highlights one factor linked to uterine fibroid risk. It does not determine your outcomes. Lifestyle, hormonal factors, and other genes also play important roles. PlexusDx does not provide medical advice. Use this information to inform conversations with your healthcare provider, who can recommend diagnostic testing, monitoring strategies, or treatment options tailored to your personal health needs.

If this genetic variant is present in your PlexusDx results, the following tests and reports are commonly used to explore it further:

🧬 Genetic Tests:

🧪 Blood Tests:

📄 Genetic Report:

Frequently Asked Questions About Uterine Fibroids and FASN rs4247357

What does the FASN rs4247357 variant mean for uterine fibroid risk?

FASN encodes fatty acid synthase, which helps produce fatty acids used for cell membranes, energy storage, and signaling. Variations like rs4247357 may shift local fatty acid production in uterine tissue and create an environment that supports fibroid growth, particularly when combined with other influences such as higher estrogen exposure or hormone-disrupting environmental chemicals. In PlexusDx interpretation, TT is associated with an increased risk, GT with a likely increased risk, and GG with typical genetic risk for this specific variant.

How can lifestyle and diet support uterine health if I carry the effect allele at FASN rs4247357?

Regardless of genotype, supporting uterine and hormonal health can include emphasizing whole fruits and vegetables (for antioxidants and polyphenols), prioritizing plant-based fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds) over high saturated fats, and limiting processed foods, refined sugars, and additives that may promote inflammation. Fiber-rich foods (legumes, whole grains, vegetables) can support healthy estrogen metabolism. If you’re concerned about estrogenic effects, limiting concentrated soy and high-dairy intake may be considered, and addressing iron deficiency is important if you have heavy bleeding.

When should I consider monitoring or testing for fibroids based on my genetic result?

If you have symptoms such as heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, or pelvic pressure, clinicians may recommend pelvic imaging (ultrasound or MRI) to detect and track fibroid size. If bleeding is heavy, blood work such as a complete blood count (CBC) and iron studies (including ferritin) can help assess iron deficiency anemia. In selected cases, hormone evaluation (estradiol, progesterone, thyroid, and metabolic markers) may be used to identify contributors to symptoms. If you’re trying to conceive, fertility evaluation can help clarify how fibroids may affect reproductive plans and whether treatment is appropriate.

What tests can help me learn more about Uterine Fibroids and FASN rs4247357?

The Hormone, Thyroid, and Reproductive Health Genetic Test delivers over 85 personalized genetic insights through a comprehensive Hormone & Fertility Genetic Report, explaining inherited tendencies related to hormonal balance, reproductive function, and endocrine signaling. The Womens Hormone and Fertility Health Genetic Report translates your results into personalized, actionable guidance. Your healthcare provider can also recommend targeted blood tests based on your specific pathway results and health history to complement your genetic insights with current biomarker data.

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.