Genetic testing results from 23andMe

I got my test results back from 23andMe last night. After puzzling over the reports for a while, I figured out the following facts of significance to me:

1) I do NOT have the LRRK marker that is associated with the highest risk of genetic PD. My risk for Parkinson's is listed as dead average. The great news here is that my son is unlikely to inherit PD from me, and the rest of my family does not have an increased genetic risk either.

2) I do NOT have any of the 3 BRCA mutations most commonly associated with inherited breast cancer; this is a HUGE relief to me, especially in light of my family history.

3) I DO have an increased risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis, type 1 diabetes and age-related macular degeneration.

4) I carry 2 copies of a gene mutation for Hereditary Hemachromatosis, giving me a "mildly increased" risk of Hemachromatosis (iron overload). This is interesting to me, because I have had problems with anemia not associated with low iron, and I have also tested high in iron on a couple of occasions. Unfortunately, this is something that can be passed on to one's children.

5) I also MAY have an increased risk of abdominal aortic aneurysms, alcohol dependence, brain aneurysm, heroin addiction, exfoliation glaucoma, dyslexia, and something called Primary Sjorgen's Syndrome, whatever that is.

Whatever. I'm not sure what to think about any of that yet. I'm not really worried, though.

My ancestry turns out to be very boring; I come from entirely European stock. My genetic "haplogroup" is listed as European type "H", which is mostly Scandinavian and Basque populations, but is spread all over Europe and the near East. I kind of knew that, but I was hoping for something exotic in my genetic makeup! Oh well. I guess my ancestors were Vikings.

All in all, the data are very interesting, and I'm glad I took the "23andME" offer. The folks from "23andMe" came to talk to our support group today, and that was very interesting as well. I think this is an exciting project, and I'm very glad that I have the opportunity to participate.