This test requires a blood draw, so please ensure you can refer to a phlebotomist in the clients area before you order this test.
LipidGen is an optimised composition of gene polymorphisms pertinent to disorders of the lipid metabolism for identifying the essential genetic causes of this disorder
Description:
LipidGen is an optimised composition of gene polymorphisms pertinent to disorders of the lipid metabolism for identifying the essential genetic causes of this disorder. The identified polymorphisms indicate which medication and which diet recommendations are reasonable for the individual case and thus allow pinpoint therapies.
High (LDL) cholesterol levels often cause diet recommendations that not infrequently have no effect or even are counterproductive. The solution of this problem is a differentiated analysis in order to identify the causes of the high cholesterol level. The determination of the relevant LDL subfractions (e.g. using LipoScan), the sex and in particular the individual genetic components of the lipid metabolism that can be identified by means of LipidGen play a decisive role in estimating the true atherogenic risk and the planning of a special therapy.
What is a gene polymorph?
Every human being has the same number (approx. 30,000) and type of genes. Genes are responsible e.g. for the eye colour, the skin colour, the skin type etc., but they also determine how we react to our environment, how our metabolism takes place, even how we build up and degrade fats. Genes can be present in different „forms” (polymorphisms). This is the basis of our variability and diversity (e.g. the different eye colours: blue, green, brown, and grey). Most polymorphisms are so-called SNP (single nucleotide polymorphisms). In these cases, a single base of the gene is changed in general. As a consequence, the protein or enzyme coded by this gene may work faster or more slowly or lose its activity completely. Genes are always present in pairs of two (one from the father and one from the mother). If both genes are identical, this is called a homozygous variant, if they are different, this is called a heterozygous variant. In most of the genes, the heterozygous variant does not have a high significance and/or the effect created by it is weaker than that of the homozygous variant.
Why is an SNP test preferable?
90% of the disorders of the lipid metabolism are caused by genes that are involved in fat absorption, fat transport, conversion of the lipoproteins and degradation of the fat. Thus, dyslipidaemia can have various genetic causes which again are influenced by environmental influences such as nutrition, alcohol, and smoking or have sex-specific effects as well. This is particularly important for therapy and diet recommendations. Any better or worse effect of drugs can depend on the polymorphism present as well.