tellmeGen 2023 Arvio

Overview: Personalized Reports Based on Your DNA

Tellmegen is a personalized genetic testing service that provides users with information about their genetic predispositions to various health conditions, as well as insights into their ancestry and drug metabolism. 

While it promises both ancestry and health insights, I found that it’s more useful if you want to focus on how genetics affect your health. Its ancestry services are lacking compared to other companies like LivingDNA which doesn’t compromise either ancestry or wellbeing and instead offers a more comprehensive service. 

Nevertheless, what it does, it does well. You’ll find ample tools to research your genetics, user-friendly reports, and helpful customer support. Read on to find out more about Tellmegen. 

Tellmegen: Services and Products

TellmeGen is a company that offers DNA testing services and products to help you discover and understand genetic information related to health and ancestry. They utilize microarray technology to study over 750,000 SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) located in the exome component of the genome, which is the portion currently known to be linked to health and ancestry data.

TellmeGen provides DNA testing kits for both children (ages 0-3 years) and adults. However, parental guardianship documentation is required before performing DNA tests on children.

The company offers two main products: the Starter kit and the Advanced kit. 

The Starter Kit

The Starter kit includes 90 aspects of well-being, traits, and ancestry. With this kit, customers can gain insights into various aspects of their genetic makeup related to their overall well-being, personal traits, and ancestry. 

You also have the option to connect with relatives, though this is not as well-developed as it is with other services. 

The Advanced Kit

This one offers a more comprehensive analysis, covering 400 aspects. In addition to the information provided in the Starter kit, the Advanced kit includes detailed health analysis and information about drug compatibility. 

I was a bit disappointed to learn that the advanced kit doesn’t give me any extra knowledge about my ancestry. However, the health reports are very detailed and comprehensive. 

How Tellmegen Works

Tellmegen operates much like other DNA companies, and the process of ordering the test and getting your results is very simple. Here’s a quick guide on ordering a test from tellmeGen:

1. Order the Test

   Customers can visit the TellmeGen website and choose the DNA testing kit that suits their needs, either the Starter kit or the Advanced kit. They can place an order online and provide the necessary information for shipping and payment.

2. Receive the Kit

   Once the order is processed, customers will receive the DNA testing kit at their provided address. The kit typically includes a saliva collection tube and detailed instructions on how to collect the DNA sample effectively.

3. Collect the DNA Sample

   Customers follow the instructions provided in the kit to collect their DNA sample. This usually involves spitting into the provided tube until the required amount of saliva is obtained. The kit will have specific guidelines on how to ensure the sample is properly collected and preserved.

4. Sending the Sample

   After collecting the DNA sample, customers securely package the saliva collection tube and send it back to TellmeGen using the provided return shipping label. It’s important to follow the instructions to ensure the sample remains intact and suitable for analysis during transit.

5. Access the Results

   Customers can access their results through a secure online platform provided by TellmeGen. They will typically receive login credentials to access their personalized report and explore the genetic information obtained from their DNA analysis. The results will arrive in 4-6 weeks. 

For customers who choose the Starter kit, there is an option to connect with genetic relatives. You can also contact customer support to address any questions or concerns that arise after receiving the results. They may provide additional information or guidance.

Understanding Your Results

Tellmegen will begin its report by telling you your genetic predisposition to 125 diseases. There are six sections in total, and you can navigate between them easily to the section that you want to read first. 

The second part breaks down your predispositions, telling you more about risk factors and symptoms. Next, you’ll see your inherited monogenetic diseases and your percentage of risk compared to the overall population, as well as any possible implications for your children. 

The following parts will show you how your body may respond to drugs, how you process certain nutrients and more. Keep in mind that, if you’re from the US, you won’t be able to access this information or get any actionable tips since the test is not FDA-approved yet. 

The final part is about Ancestry, where you’ll get your percentage of relation to 74 ethnic groups across 8 areas. You won’t be able to connect with any of your relatives, but you will get information on your maternal and paternal lineages, as well as their movement over the last 250,000 years. This test will also tell you your Neanderthal DNA percentage. 

I found this area quite lacking, especially since I couldn’t connect with any relatives. If you want to build your family tree and get to know people who share your DNA, I recommend AncestryDNA. It’s inexpensive, has the largest database of users in the world, and even offers a free trial. 

Privacy: Transparent and Discreet 

Tellmegen is very transparent when it comes to its process and how it uses your DNA data, so you don’t have to worry about it being sold to third parties. All of your information will be kept confidential. 

When you register your kit, you’ll be given a code, which will protect your private information. The website itself uses SSL cryptographic protocols, so accessing it is safe as well. 

Support: Good Resources, Prompt Replies

The primary tellmeGen website is accessible in English, Spanish, French, Russian, Portuguese, German, and Italian. However, the comprehensive FAQs are not available in Portuguese, German, or Italian.

With your tellmeGen account, you gain access to additional resources, including a forum where you can connect with other customers to discuss concerns and ask questions. The forum is organized into topics and groups, aligning with tellmeGen’s reporting categories: genetic predispositions, pharmacology, hereditary, and traits.

To reach out to the company, you have the option of contacting them via telephone, email, or traditional mail. They strive to respond within 24 hours. Personally, I emailed their customer support team to inquire about potential future Y-DNA and mtDNA testing, and I received a response within approximately an hour.

Pricing: Not Very Budget-Friendly

TellmeGen is quite expensive, compared to other companies on the market. It provides DNA testing kits with different pricing options. If you purchase the Starter DNA kit directly from tellmeGen, it costs $89 for either one child or one adult. They also offer an Advanced option priced at $149. To make their services more affordable, tellmeGen offers Duo and Family test kits as bundles, reducing the cost per unit. Alternatively, you can find single test kits on Amazon for approximately $130.

Personally, I think that you could get better value for your money with a DNA test kit from Ancestry, which is less expensive and offers a free trial. Alternatively, if you want more info about your health and how your genetics impact it, you can also try LivingDNA.

Bottom Line: Good for Health Insights, Not for Ancestry

Overall, Tellmegen does what it promises to do. While I found the DNA test kit results lacking in Ancestry data and incomplete for US users, it offers good customer support, great privacy, and decent health insights.