Let experts interpret genetic tests

When it comes to direct-to-consumer genetic tests for disease risks: For reliable advice, leave the interpretation to the experts.

In a recent study published in Nature, researchers reported that up to 40 percent of DTC genetic tests provide incorrect readings in their raw data.

Finding you’re part Latvian can be interesting, but if you’re sending out a DNA sample to find out if you have the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene — hereditary markers for breast and/or ovarian cancer — you don’t want faulty results. And even though the Food and Drug Administration prohibits most DTC companies from offering diagnostic tests, some give customers their raw genotyping data upon request.

Most DTC genetic tests are not approved by the

FDA for diagnosis of disease risk, and shouldn’t be considered diagnostic! As for the companies approved to offer DTC diagnostic tests (23andme), they’re authorized to report on a limited number of genetic risk factors — two of more than 20 for BRCA variants, for example.

However, diagnostic tests done reliably in specialized labs generally analyze the full coding sequences of all genes associated with a disease.

If blood pressure swings, get new med

The massive swings in the value of bitcoin over the past few years has been pretty amazing. Must be pretty hard on investors’ blood pressure!

Fluctuations do take their toll, according to a new study. Researchers found that if your blood pressure fluctuates between doctor visits like the value of a bitcoin, you and your cardiovascular system are in big trouble. The fluctuations might be related to the antihypertensive meds you are taking.

Alpha blockers and alpha-2 agonists are associated with an increased risk of variations in HBP readings, say the researchers, and those variations correspond to an increased risk of mortality. “Blood pressure medications that produce more consistent blood pressure [show] better mortality outcome … Those medications include ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers and thiazide diuretics.”

If you have HBP, ask your doctor about a multi-day monitoring test to determine how variable your readings are. If they are not steady, talk about finding a treatment that will maintain even control of your blood pressure.

Email questions for Mehmet Oz and Mike Roizen to youdocsdaily@sharecare. com.