What question am I trying to answer?
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
One of the most common questions I hear is, "Should I get genetic testing?" The answer isn't always yes—and it isn't always now. Genetic testing can provide valuable insight, but it's most helpful when it's answering a specific question rather than simply collecting more information. That's why the ReThink ReLeaf Method starts with your story before your DNA.
This article explains what genetic testing can reveal, when it might not be the priority, why context matters, and how the ReThink ReLeaf Method uses a whole-person approach to decide if genetic testing is right for you. You’ll also learn what to expect before and after testing so you can make informed choices.
What Genetic Testing Can Help Explain
Nutrient metabolism: Some people process vitamins and minerals differently due to genetic variations. For example, certain gene variants affect how your body converts folate or vitamin D, which can influence supplementation needs.
Medication response: Genetics can affect how you metabolize drugs, impacting effectiveness and side effects. This is especially relevant for medications like blood thinners or antidepressants.
Detoxification pathways: Your genes influence how your body handles toxins and chemicals. Variations in detox genes may explain why some people are more sensitive to environmental exposures.
Inflammation and immune response: Genetic factors can contribute to chronic inflammation or autoimmune tendencies, helping to understand recurring health issues.
Recurring health patterns: If you notice patterns like frequent infections, digestive problems, or unexplained fatigue, genetics might offer insights into underlying causes.
These examples show how genetic testing can add clarity when you have specific questions about your health. But it’s important to remember that genes are only part of the story.
That's why the question isn't simply, "Should I get genetic testing?" The better question is, "Will genetic testing help answer the questions I'm trying to solve?"
When Testing May Not Be the First Priority
Sometimes, jumping straight to genetic testing misses the bigger picture. You might want to focus on:
Current symptoms and lab findings: If you have clear symptoms or abnormal lab findings, addressing those first often leads to faster improvements.
Nutrition and lifestyle factors: Diet, exercise, sleep, and stress levels have a huge impact on health. Improving these areas can sometimes resolve issues without needing genetic insights.
Environmental exposures: Toxins, allergens, and pollutants in your surroundings can cause symptoms that genetic testing won’t explain.
Medications and supplements: Reviewing what you take and how it affects you can reveal interactions or side effects that genetics won’t predict.
Personal health history: Family history and past health events provide important clues that guide testing decisions.
By focusing on these areas first, you build a strong foundation. Genetic testing becomes more useful when it complements this information rather than replacing it.
Why Context Matters
Genetic testing results don’t exist in a vacuum. A gene variant linked to a health risk doesn’t guarantee you will develop that condition. Lifestyle, environment, and other factors influence how genes express themselves.
For example, a gene variant might suggest slower processing of a nutrient, but if your diet already includes plenty of that nutrient, you may not experience any issues. Conversely, poor nutrition combined with that variant could lead to deficiencies.
Understanding your whole health story helps you interpret genetic results in a meaningful way. It prevents unnecessary worry or false reassurance. That's why the answer to "When does genetic testing make sense?" depends on your unique health story and the questions you're trying to answer.
How the ReThink ReLeaf Method Determines When Genetics Add Value
The ReThink ReLeaf Method takes a whole-person approach to health. It looks beyond genes to include:
Symptoms you experience
Laboratory findings
Nutrition and lifestyle habits
Environmental exposures
Medications and supplements
Stress levels
Personal and family health history
By gathering this information first, the ReThink ReLeaf Method helps determine whether genetic testing is likely to provide meaningful additional insight—or whether other areas deserve attention first.
For example, if you have unexplained inflammation and your diet and environment are well managed, genetic testing might reveal gene variants affecting your immune response. But if your inflammation is linked to a known allergen exposure or medication side effect, addressing those factors takes priority.
Within the ReThink ReLeaf Method, genetic testing is never the destination—it's one of many tools used to better understand your unique health story.
What to Expect Before and After Testing
Before genetic testing, you’ll typically:
Complete a detailed health questionnaire covering symptoms, lifestyle, and family history
Discuss your health goals and concerns with a practitioner
Review any recent lab results or medical records
This preparation helps clarify what questions genetic testing should answer.
After testing:
You’ll receive a report explaining your gene variants and what they might mean
A practitioner will interpret results in the context of your overall health
You’ll get personalized recommendations that may include nutrition, lifestyle changes, or further testing
Remember, genetic testing is not a one-time fix. It’s part of an ongoing process to understand and support your health.
The Best Question Isn't "Should I Test?
The better question is: "What question am I trying to answer?
Sometimes the next best step is improving nutrition.
Sometimes it's reviewing laboratory findings.
Sometimes it's reducing environmental exposures.
Sometimes genetics provide the missing piece.
The ReThink ReLeaf Method helps determine when genetic testing adds meaningful value—and how to interpret those results within the context of your complete health story.
Ready to Discover Your Next Best Step?
Wendy Jean Schell is a Functional Genomics Practitioner and Precision Wellness Consultant who developed the ReThink ReLeaf Method, a whole-person approach to precision wellness that helps individuals connect genetics, laboratory findings, nutrition, lifestyle, environmental exposures, and personal health history into practical, personalized wellness strategies.
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