Frequently asked questions
Everything about getting tested, what your report can do, and how we protect your data. Can’t find your answer?
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Getting started & timing
When will I get my results?
Most customers receive their report about 6–8 weeks after their blood draw. Timing can vary depending on lab processing and quality checks.
How do I get tested?
After you order, you’ll schedule a blood draw with our lab partner (currently Labcorp). Once your sample is processed, your DNA file is securely delivered to Intrinsic Genomics for analysis and to build your report.
What happens after my blood draw?
Your sample is processed by the lab to extract DNA and generate a genotype file. That file is then transferred securely to Intrinsic Genomics, where we run analysis and create your report.
Why a blood draw instead of spitting in a tube?Good to know
Blood is the gold standard for DNA collection. Our panel reads about three times the genetic data of a typical consumer test, which gives us broader coverage to build your report on. About 5 mL (roughly one teaspoon) is all that’s needed.
Do I need your DNA Blood Test if I already have a file from another service?
No. Upload the file with your order. Within 48 hours (usually faster) we tell you which Answer Reports it has the data for. If it covers some but not all, the DNA Blood Test unlocks the rest.
What if my file cannot power my report?
First, we check a second file from a different service at no charge. If that falls short too, you choose: a full refund, or the full amount as credit toward any report or our DNA Blood Test.
I already had my blood drawn with you. Do I need to do anything?
No. One sample covers everything you order, now and in the future.
Health status & testing questions
I have a cold, will that affect my results?
In most cases, no. Common illnesses don’t affect your DNA. However, if you currently have or recently had an illness that required antibiotics (for example, strep throat), we may recommend waiting until you’re fully recovered to support sample quality.
I’m pregnant, can I still take the blood test?
Pregnancy can introduce small amounts of fetal genetic material into a mother’s bloodstream, which could affect certain blood-based DNA methods. Please Get in touch so we can recommend the best sampling option for you.
Do medications affect my DNA Blood Test?
Most medications do not change your DNA. However, certain situations, recent serious infection, major immune events, or recent transfusions, can affect sample quality. If you’re unsure, Get in touch.
How much blood is needed?
About 5 mL, roughly one teaspoon.
I don’t like needles, are there other options?
Possibly. Get in touch and we’ll tell you what alternatives are currently available.
What if my sample fails quality control?
If the lab cannot generate a usable DNA file, we’ll contact you with next steps. Depending on the situation, that may include collecting a second sample.
Using your results
What can I do with my results once I get my report?
Your report is designed to be practical. For each topic, it includes simple, actionable recommendations, for example, how to adjust meal timing, training style, recovery, or lifestyle habits based on your genetic tendencies.
Do I need a doctor to use this?
Not necessarily. Many people use their report on their own to help guide their wellness, not to treat a disease. If you’re managing a health condition, are pregnant, or take prescription medications, it’s always smart to review major changes with a licensed clinician.
Can I share my results with my coach, nutritionist, or doctor?
Yes, we encourage it. Many customers share their report with a coach or clinician to help personalize a plan. We recommend sharing the full context (not just one result) so the guidance is interpreted correctly.
What’s the difference between “tendency” and “diagnosis”?
A tendency means you may be more or less likely to respond a certain way, for example, a higher tendency to have blood-sugar spikes from late-night carbs.
Diagnosis is a medical determination made using symptoms, exams, and clinical tests. Your report is not a diagnosis. It can help inform the process, but only a medical practitioner can make a diagnosis.
What if my report makes me anxious?
That’s normal for some people. Remember: most results reflect tendencies, not certainty. If you feel overwhelmed, take a break, focus on the simplest recommendations, and consider discussing your results with a clinician or coach.
Science, accuracy & what your report means
What’s the difference between genetics and genomics?Good to know
Genetics is the study of single genes, one variant at a time. Genomics is the study of all of your genes together, and how they interact with each other and with your diet, goals, and lifestyle. We work at the genomic level because complex traits like how your body handles macros are shaped by many genes at once, not one. Genomics is genetics taken to the next level.
Are your findings backed by research?
Yes. Our reports are built from published, peer-reviewed research, including studies indexed through NIH-supported sources such as PubMed. We translate that research into clear, practical guidance.
How accurate is the report?
Your DNA data is highly stable, your genetic code doesn’t change day to day. What can vary is how strong the science is for each specific insight. Some findings are supported by many large studies; others are newer and still emerging. When something is less certain, we label it clearly and keep the guidance conservative.
Does this report diagnose a condition?
No. Intrinsic Genomics reports are wellness and education tools, not medical diagnoses. They describe tendencies and tendency signals, not guarantees.
Will my results change over time?
Your DNA won’t change, but the interpretation can as science improves. If you choose to store your results with us, you’ll be able to receive updated insights in future versions of your reports.
How often do you update and release reports?
We refresh existing reports quarterly when new research has been released, and we add new reports on a regular cadence. The whole genome holds more, but the variants we analyze already cover most of the heavily-researched ones, and we’ll evolve as the science does.
How do you decide what to include in a report?
We prioritize findings that are:
- supported by credible research,
- relevant to actionable wellness choices (food, exercise, sleep, recovery), and
- understandable enough to translate into clear guidance.
How do you measure “Level of Evidence”?
We generally consider study size, replication, quality of methods, consistency across populations, and whether results have been repeated by independent research groups. We track this as a High / Medium / Low label per topic in our records, and we use only studies with a high level of evidence, association, and statistical significance in your results.
Privacy, security & data sharing
Do you sell my DNA data?
No. We will never sell your genetic data. Full stop. If we ever sell the company, that promise becomes a permanent condition of the sale, binding in perpetuity.
Who sees my genetic information?
- Our lab partner handles the blood draw and processing. Their workflow uses a sample ID and does not rely on your genetic file being labeled with your personal details.
- Intrinsic Genomics receives your DNA results labeled with your private ID, not your name.
- Intrinsic Genomics is the only party that can connect your identity to your internal order record, inside our secure system.
Will you share my DNA with insurance companies, employers, or other companies?
No. Intrinsic Genomics does not share your genetic file with insurers, employers, or third parties unless you explicitly authorize it.
Can government or law enforcement access my DNA through Intrinsic Genomics?
Our policy is not to share your genetic data with outside parties. If we ever receive a legally valid request that we are required to respond to, we will follow the law, but our default position is privacy and minimizing disclosure.
How do you keep my data safe?
We use industry-standard security practices such as encryption, access controls, audit logging, and vendor agreements that restrict how data can be used. Only authorized personnel can access the systems required to deliver your reports.
Is my data used for research?
Only if you explicitly opt in. Research consent is optional, and you can still receive your reports if you choose not to participate.
Can I delete my data?
Yes. You can request deletion through Get in touch. We keep your DNA file until you ask us to delete it. Ask any time, and we delete your file, your reports and your account information within 30 days. We keep only a minimal record of your purchase and of your deletion request.
What if I download my report, can you delete that copy?
No. Once a report is downloaded, saved, printed, forwarded, or stored outside our systems, it is outside our control. You are responsible for protecting that copy.
Reports & comparisons
What reports do you offer?
We offer separate reports focused on real-world wellness topics, including:
- Nutrition (macros, timing, preferences and aversions)
- Fitness (endurance vs. power tendencies, recovery, motivation)
- Sleep (circadian patterns, sleep pressure, recovery)
We’re releasing additional reports on a regular basis.
Is this the same as 23andMe or Ancestry?
Many consumer DNA services focus on ancestry and broad trait summaries. Intrinsic Genomics focuses on actionable wellness interpretation, turning research into more holistic, practical guidance you can use for nutrition, fitness, sleep, and lifestyle planning.
Do you sell supplements?Good to know
No. We don’t sell supplements or push products. Our reports give you actionable recommendations you can act on yourself, the science and the “why,” not a storefront.
What if I already have DNA results from another company, can you use them?
Yes. Upload the raw DNA file you already have (23andMe, AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, a whole-genome file, or most others) and we run a rigorous review of it within 48 hours (usually faster). We are agnostic to the source of your DNA file and will test whatever you have. If you do not have it yet, we will guide you through getting it from the other company. We take up to 3 separate DNA files, because combining across sources can give you better coverage. We tell you plainly which reports your DNA file can support, and if it comes up short we first check a second DNA file at no charge. If that falls short too, you choose a full refund or the full amount as credit toward any report or our DNA Blood Test. Read our promise, or start with our DNA file download steps if you do not have a copy of your file yet. Your DNA is yours, no matter which company ran it. Read the full story.
How do you “rigorously process” a DNA file from another company? (the 12-step process)
Every file goes through our rigorous 12-step review. Here are the six stages.
Our promise to you: we never change the DNA details in your DNA file. We only define them more clearly, fill in what is missing and check the result.
We work with any source. We are agnostic to where your DNA file comes from, and we will test whatever you have.
We can help you get your DNA file. If you do not have it yet, we will guide you through getting it from the other company.
We will take up to 3 separate DNA files. Combining across sources can give you better coverage.
Stage 1: Verify the viability of the file sent in (3 steps). We open your DNA file, work out how it is built and confirm it holds data we can use, whatever company made it. If it stores its results in shorthand, we translate them into plain letters, and we put every DNA file into one standard layout so all files are processed the same way.
Stage 2: Use credible sources to complete your data (1 step). Every detail about you can be found at a well-defined location on your DNA strand. Different companies describe those locations in different ways in their DNA files: some give each location a standard name (an rsID), some give its address on the strand (chromosome and position), and some give both. If one is missing, we fill it in from credible public sources such as dbSNP, ClinVar, the GWAS Catalog, the PGS Catalog and gnomAD, so the highest quality and most thorough data goes into your reports.
Stage 3: Confirm it is your unique DNA file (1 step). We determine that this is your own unique DNA file and not the DNA file of someone already on file. That is especially helpful if you send more than one DNA file, or decide to take our test in the future, because everything stays together on one profile.
Stage 4: Learn what is in your DNA file (2 steps). We work out which version of the human genome map your DNA file uses and how complete it is, and we record where it came from.
Stage 5: Audit your transformed file (3 steps). We put your DNA file into our own layout and account for every line we read, kept or set aside, so nothing essential changed between your original DNA file and the improved version we prepare. We also confirm biological sex from the file, because some answers depend on it.
Stage 6: Reality check (2 steps). We determine whether, and which, of the available reports we can reliably produce from your DNA file, so we do not waste your time. We check every report, not only the one you ordered, and tell you which ones your DNA file can power.
Some DNA files fall short, and we tell you before we build anything. We only deliver a report if your DNA file can produce a reliable one. If it cannot, you choose a full credit toward a report we can produce or toward our DNA Blood Test, or a full refund. This review is what our file processing fee covers.
Eligibility & logistics
Do you test children? Is there an age minimum?
Our services are offered for purchase by adults 18 years of age and older. We will provide our services for individuals under 18 years of age provided that a parent or legal guardian has given consent. The parent or guardian controls the child's data until the child turns 18. Questions about testing a child? Get in touch.
Can I order if I live outside the U.S.?
At this time, we provide reports only to those living in the U.S.
What if I don’t want online access, can I just get a PDF?
At this time, we provide your report as a downloadable PDF.
Payment & reimbursement
Do you take insurance? Is this covered?
No. This is a direct-to-consumer wellness product and is not billed to insurance.
Can I use my HSA/FSA?
We don’t process HSA/FSA payments directly. Some customers may be able to seek reimbursement depending on their plan rules, please check with your HSA/FSA provider.
What is your refund or cancellation policy?
To cancel, Get in touch. Pick Cancellation as the topic (we preselect it for you).
If you request a cancellation:
- Before your Labcorp blood draw: you are entitled to a full refund.
- After your Labcorp blood draw, but before your report(s) are produced: we refund the full amount less Labcorp's lab processing fee (at cost).
- After your Labcorp blood draw and your report(s) are produced: we refund the balance less Labcorp's lab processing fee (at cost) and a 30% report production and handling fee.
At any time after your blood is drawn, we can still produce your reports. Just let us know.
For Providers
I’m a coach, nutritionist, or clinician, how do I work with you?
We partner with coaches, registered dietitians and nutritionists, concierge MDs, direct primary care providers, PAs, NPs, pharmacists, and multi-provider clinics. Partners get wholesale pricing, territory exclusivity, optional in-office blood draws, and a white-label option for high volume. See For Providers to learn more and apply.
Do you offer wholesale pricing for providers?
Yes. Approved partners purchase at wholesale and sell at MSRP. Pricing details are provided after your application is reviewed.
Can my practice draw blood in-office?
Yes, providers can choose between drawing blood in their own office or referring their customers to any of Labcorp’s ~2,000 locations.
