Know Yourself with MapmyGenome

Know Yourself with MapmyGenome

A personal account by Jia Singh, Wandering for Wellness.

I am 28 years old and born into a Sikh family. I don’t smoke and I seldom drink alcohol. I have been diligent and consistent with my workouts for the last 5 or 6 years. I eat pretty clean for the most part. These lifestyle decisions are things I can control. However, our body’s predisposition for disease and chronic illness is determined by both our genes and lifestyle.

A lot of us shudder at the thought of genetic testing because the consensus is that ignorance is bliss. But something inside me has changed. I lost my cousin to leukaemia a few years ago and my grandfather to heart disease and a stroke. My grandfather was a teetotaller, practised yoga every morning, could do a headstand at 80, and was otherwise very healthy. I’ve been very curious about the roles that genetics play in personality traits as well as predisposition for diseases like certain cancers, cardiac ailments, and autoimmune issues.

The Experience

The staff at MapmyGenome got onto a call with me and once that was done, I proceeded to give my saliva sample via a diligent cheek swab. The most comprehensive test, Genomepatri, examines genetic predisposition to over 100 conditions — ranging from autoimmune conditions, cancers, cardiac markers, endocrine issues, mood-related disorders, and sensitivity to medications.

When I returned from a work trip, I received an email with the results. The results were pretty straightforward and easy to read, but they came with a caveat that the test aims to serve as risk assessment and not as a sentence looming over your head. The team at MapmyGenome quickly scheduled a counselling session with Pooja — a Johns Hopkins graduate who was very patient with me. She systematically went through the entire report and made sure she answered every question along the way.

I was a little worried to see that I was at a high risk for certain autoimmune conditions like ulcerative colitis and certain cancers. On the plus side, I learnt that I would not suffer from metabolic issues or bone density issues like arthritis and osteopenia. An hour and a half later, I knew exactly which things I should be worried about and what I could put away for later. I was very impressed to learn that I had a low tolerance for caffeine and that I was better suited to sports with quick bursts of activity and strength training.

Verdict

In retrospect, I am very happy that I decided to muster the courage to go in for the comprehensive Genomepatri test — because knowledge is power and I will be better equipped to deal with my health from now on. The genetic counselling that comes post your reports is comprehensive. The counsellor takes over an hour with you to answer all your questions and allay your fears. I know the full Genomepatri is expensive, but it is well worth the price because you only need to do it once and you end up with invaluable information that is great for you and your physician. I can’t recommend this enough.

Special thanks to the team at MapmyGenome, Dr Jaishree, and Pooja Ramchandran for being so patient with me and answering all my questions.