Many physicians recommend the Navigenics genetic testing services to their patients as a way to help build a more personalized plan for disease prevention and better health. But doctors themselves also tell us how genetic insights improve their own lives. William, director of oncology at a leading diagnostic center, recently wrote to us about his own genetic discovery.
“My analysis was mostly reassuring, but showed two areas of increased risk,” he said. “One was for prostate cancer, which was not a surprise since my father died of prostate cancer. The second was celiac disease, which was a surprise. Although in retrospect, I had some subtle signs and symptoms which could be attributed to celiac disease: Poor digestion of fatty foods, low serum cholesterol, a mysterious skin rash, and recurrent aphthous ulcers,” or canker sores.
He followed up on his Navigenics results by getting two diagnostic tests for celiac disease—a blood test that looks for celiac-related factors and an upper endoscopy, which allowed his doctor to see inside his digestive tract and look for the tissue damage caused by celiac disease.
Both tests were positive, and showed that he already had a moderate to severe form of the disease.
From there, William knew that he could use his genetic test results to take action.
“A gastroenterologist has recommended a gluten-free diet, which is thought to be effective at reducing the many possible complications of celiac disease: Diabetes, thyroid disease, liver disease, small bowel lymphoma, and cancer,” he said.
He is now also taking calcium and Vitamin D, and has since encouraged his closest relatives to also be screened for celiac disease. About 57 percent of risk for celiac disease can be contributed to genetic factors.
“It is amazing to me, at the age of 52 years, and being a physician, that my diagnosis and treatment was possible only because of your DNA test,” William said. “Thank you for that.”
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