When to See a Genetic Counselor
If you have a family history of a genetic condition, a consumer spit kit is not the answer. Here is how to find clinical guidance.
Direct-to-consumer DNA tests are built for entertainment, basic trait discovery, and genealogy. They are not diagnostic medical tools. If you have a legitimate concern about a hereditary condition, you need a Board-Certified Genetic Counselor (CGC).
What Does a Genetic Counselor Do?
A genetic counselor translates complex genomic data into actionable healthcare decisions. They will:
- Construct a detailed three-generation medical pedigree of your family.
- Identify if genetic testing is actually warranted (often it is not).
- Order the correct clinical-grade sequencing panels (often Next-Generation Sequencing of specific gene clusters, rather than a scattershot microarray).
- Navigate health insurance to get the testing covered.
- Deliver the results in a psychological and medical context.
Common Mistakes
Do not use third-party raw data tools to diagnose yourself, and do not use 23andMe's FDA-authorized reports as a definitive "all clear." Clinical testing looks at hundreds of variants in a gene; consumer testing often looks at less than five.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I find a counselor? Use the "Find a Genetic Counselor" directory provided by the National Society of Genetic Counselors (NSGC) at findageneticcounselor.nsgc.org.
Next Step: Read why clinical validity matters in our BRCA testing limits guide.