Dynamic DNA Labs review – The first step to a better you?

Dynamic DNA Las Review Summary

Dynamic DNA Labs is an at-home genetic testing company for nutrition, fitness, health, and ancestry. Learn more in our Dynamic DNA Labs review!

Fiyin Ebemidayo, B.S.

Results
Price
Variety of reports

Summary

Dynamic DNA Laboratories is a genetic testing lab specializing in health and ancestry. Many customers found the results helpful and interesting, although others thought they were vague or similar to those of other companies. The price of the tests are a bit higher than competitors, especially if you purchase more than one. The company offers reports for those interested in different aspects of their genome.

4.3

7 Facts from our Dynamic DNA Review

  1. Location: Springfield, MO
  2. Products: Nutrition, Fitness, Health, Dermatology, Personality, Ancestry, cancer/disease predisposition, and Pharmacogenomics. More recently, local COVID-19 Testing. Artwork consisting of a portrait of a person’s DNA on a canvas, mug, mousepad, and phone case  
  3. Cost: $99-$249
  4. Reports: PDF file attached to an email 3-4 weeks after sample sent. They are informative, not too specific, and include recommendations 
  5. How it works: You may order a kit from the Dynamic DNA website or other vendors like Amazon. You must register the kit, scrape cheeks with a swab, store it in the envelope, and ship it back 
  6. Raw Data Access: It is provided in the report but not available for download
  7. Alternative Products: Nebula Genomics decodes all the information in your genes. This broad spectrum of DNA data allows for a highly reliable and comprehensive report covering ancestry, pharmacogenomics, health, fitness, and more

This review is written with the intent to be as unbiased as possible. However, it represents the opinion of an individual reviewer and is therefore subjective. Furthermore, at Nebula Genomics we seek to educate the public about the benefits of Whole Genome Sequencing. Information about our Whole Genome Sequencing DNA test is therefore incorporated into the review.

December 14, 2023

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Variety in the number and types of tests
  • Extensive reports
  • Confidential and reliable results
  • In-house lab testing

Cons

  • Prices are above the average for similar products
  • The Ancestry test has a limited database

Dynamic DNA Labs Introduction

Dynamic DNA Laboratories is a biotechnology and direct-to-consumer genetic testing lab specializing in molecular, cell, and microbiology research. Its headquarters are located in Springfield, Missouri. 

The company’s product offering includes ancestry testing and other specialized DNA tests to help customers get fit, lose weight, and learn about their genetic predispositions. During the pandemic, Dynamic DNA opened a local COVID-19 testing lab in Springfield. 

With a simple cheek swab, Dynamic DNA labs will open doors to your health predisposition, ancestry, fitness, dermatology, and more. One remarkable aspect of this biotech company is that the labs are in-house, eliminating the need for a third party. 

Learn more about Dynamic DNA Labs in our review below!

Did you know that by sequencing your whole genome, you can learn more about your nutrition and fitness needs, health, and ancestry? This may help determine if additional services are right for you. Nebula Genomics offers affordable whole genome sequencing that decodes 100% of your genome. Click here to learn more!

Review of Dynamic DNA Labs Products

The website splits the range of products into four main categories. Besides this, it offers a Nutrition DNA Test + Personalized Vitamin bundle. Let us explore each product in detail. 

Proactive Health

This set of tests is the company’s main focus. They help you understand your genetic composition to make better decisions for a healthier life. All of these tests are run in HIPAA-compliant labs.

Nutrition ($129)

Since each person has a different genetic composition, our bodies’ nutritional needs will vary. This test can help determine which nutrients are better for your unique needs and which ones you should avoid. 

What you get:

  • 43 genetic traits related to dietary requirements, eating habits, and nutrition
  • A DNA-based actionable dietary plan
  • Information on how the body reacts to different types of foods
  • Details on your metabolic health factors
  • What vitamins your body quickly absorb and which ones it does not
What the Dynamic DNA Labs Nutrition DNA test offers
What the Dynamic DNA Labs Nutrition DNA test offers

Fitness ($129)

Your unique genetic composition makes your body respond differently to exercise and weight loss. This DNA test will help you discover the best exercises to reach your goals. 

What you get:

  • 31 genetic traits related to strength, recovery, and performance
  • The type of training that works best for you
  • Information on the number of fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle fibers you have
  • How quickly your body can recover from exercise
  • Metabolic rate
  • Joints and build strength

Skin ($99)

The largest organ in your body has its genetic particularities. The Dynamic Skin DNA test was designed to help develop an effective skin maintenance routine. 

What you get:

  • 25 genetic traits to help develop and maintain healthier skin
  • Personalized treatment recommendations 
  • Analysis of specific markers related to allergies, aging, nutritional needs, moisture, texture, etc.
  • Collagen levels
  • Allergies or skin sensitivities to certain ingredients

Personality ($99)

Your genes not only determine your physical appearance but also play a role in determining your personality, mood, and behavior. This test explores genetic traits that uncover these predispositions. 

What you get: 

  • 30 genetic traits related to your personality, mood, and character
  • Insight into the propensity for addiction and motivation levels
  • Five-factor model of analysis (openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism)

Wanderlust ($49)

This personality DNA test reveals whether you have the wanderlust gene. This variant produces a receptor that doesn’t bind well to dopamine. Individuals with this genetic mutation may find themselves engaging in different behaviors to increase dopamine levels. Thus, they tend to be risk takers.

Family + Ancestry

Dynamic DNA offers three tests in this category: origins, paternity, and siblingship. The ancestry test is very similar to Nebula, MyHeritage, and AncestryDNA

Ancestry ($99)

The ancestry test analyzes three types of DNA: autosomal, Y-DNA (for males only), and mtDNA. Despite these tests not being Dynamic’s main focus, the results are reliable and detailed. 

With this test, Dynamic DNA lets you discover your migratory ancestry through your mother and father. 

What you get:

  • Ethnicity percent
  • Migratory routes traveled by ancestors
  • Testing of maternal and paternal haplogroups
  • Results via an online dashboard
Dynamic DNA Labs Origins Test
Dynamic DNA Labs Origins Test

Paternity ($195)

This test can determine if a father and a child are genetically related. People share genetic markers with their parents, and this test finds them. Both the suspected child and parent should submit a sample. 

Albeit accurate, this at-home test is not court-admissible. However, the company does offer court-admissible tests in-lab only. 

What you get:

  • Industry-standard technology
  • Confidential reports accessible via a HIPAA-compliant online portal
  • Easy-to-understand results
  • Results available within 3-4 weeks
What the Dynamic DNA Labs Paternity test offers
What the Dynamic DNA Labs Paternity test offers

Siblingship ($249)

Our DNA can reveal the kinship relationships we have with others. If two people share a father or mother, their markers will be similar. DNA testing can also show if two individuals have other close family relationships, such as grandparents, aunts, or cousins. 

Like with the paternity test, both parties have to submit a sample. 

What you get:

  • Modern microarray technology
  • Strict and easy-to-read reports
  • Results are available through a confidential HIPAA-compliant online portal

Personalized Medicine

These are all pharmacogenomics (PGx) tests to help determine your response to a series of drugs. As the company says, this eliminates the guesswork and reduces the unnecessary use of ineffective medication. 

The tests in the Personalized Medicine category could be covered by health insurance.

Pain management

Many patients get medication to treat pain but to little or no avail. The solution has usually been a different drug or an increased dose. The Pain Management PGx testing can help you find the right prescription. 

What you get:

  • Your body’s genetic response to 40+ pain medications
  • Dosage recommendations
  • Alternative treatment suggestions in cases of sensitivities or negative response
  • Information on which medicines carry more side effects and which ones to take at lower doses

Cardiovascular health

This test evaluates your response to medication used to optimize your cardiovascular health. Cardiovascular medicines are critical to improving a patient’s quality of life. Getting the proper one is pivotal for a more effective recovery program. 

What you get:

  • Your body’s response to 30+ different drugs to treat cardiovascular disease
  • A personal medicine report
  • A patient-centered treatment plan to fit your genetic build

Mental health

Bodies respond differently to antidepressants, anti-narcotics, and anti-anxiety drugs. Hence, the importance of shedding some light on your genetic predisposition to these chemicals. 

Dynamic DNA Laboratories delivers personalized results to help the patient and their health provider decide on a more favorable course of treatment. 

What you get: 

  • Analysis of your body’s response to 90+ different medications used for the treatment of mental health
  • Personalized results with predictions on your response to several antidepressants
Dynamic DNA Labs personalized medicine tests
Dynamic DNA Labs personalized medicine tests

Comprehensive 

This grab-it-all combines the aforementioned PGx test, plus infectious disease and gastrointestinal treatment. Knowing how your body will react to medications before trying them will save you money.

What you get:

  • Testing of 150+ different drugs prescribed for pain, cardiovascular health, mental health, infectious disease, and gastrointestinal conditions
  • Personalized medicine report
  • Dosage recommendation
  • In cases of sensitivity, it offers an alternative method

Substance

Cannabis ($129)

Your genes also determine how your body will react to cannabis. This test aims to shed light on ways to maximize the health benefits of this drug. 

What you get: 

  • 13 genetic traits that can show how to better harness cannabis health properties
  • An understanding of how your body metabolizes several types of cannabis
  • The best CBD-to-THC ratio of cannabis and hemp products for your body
  • Dosage recommendations to control pain, sleep, stress, and anxiety
  • Insights into potential side effects 
What the Cannabis test offers
What the Dynamic DNA Labs Cannabis DNA test offers

Bundle

Nutrition + Vitamins ($169) 

At the time of this post, Dynamic DNA Labs only offers this bundle. This catch-all option gives insights into all aspects of nutrition, including processing, absorption, metabolism, and distribution of vitamins and nutrients. 

What you get:

  • Analysis of 43 genetic traits related to critical aspects of nutrition
  • Customized formulas based on DNA analysis in partnership with Vitaminlab
  • Insights into improved nutrition and eating habits
  • Characteristics included: food sensitivities and allergies, metabolic health factors, vitamin deficiencies, and eating behaviors

The Science Behind Dynamic DNA Labs Products

One aspect that most customers appreciate about the company is that it owns its own CAP-accredited and CLIA-certified lab. This eliminates outsourcing and the need for third parties to access sensitive data. 

Dynamic DNA Laboratories specializes in advanced DNA testing. The facility is equipped with genetics, microbiology, and cellular and microscopy lab sections. A staff of experts applies 35 years of experience to the methods and processes used to unravel a patient’s DNA. 

The research solutions and capabilities include DNA sequencing, gene expression, epigenetic analysis, microbial identification, and more.

Review of Dynamic DNA Labs: Are results reliable?

Since its foundation in 2015, Dynamic DNA has established itself as a versatile and complete DNA-testing company. Results are accurate, and although reports are sometimes challenging to read, they enjoy users’ trust.

How does it work?

The process for these at-home DNA tests is relatively simple. Once you place your order on the website or through online stores, you will get your DNA kit within 3-5 days.

Using the provided cheek swabs, scrub for 60 seconds on both cheeks. Snap the swab, put the halves in the envelope, and mail. Of course, just like with all testing companies, you will be given a registration code to use on the website. 

A Dynamic DNA labs testing kit
A Dynamic DNA labs testing kit

After 3 to 4 weeks, you will receive an email telling you to log into a secure HIPAA-compliant client portal to see your results.

Review of Dynamic DNA Labs Cost

Compared to other companies that offer services similar to Dynamic DNA, we find it rather expensive. The Ancestry DNA test price is the only one closer to other competitors. So, if you are on a budget, you might want to consider turning elsewhere. 

If you need a paternity test, you can get one at a slightly cheaper cost from HomeDNA or EasyDNA. 

Vitagene offers quality health + ancestry testing at a better price. If you already have DNA data, try Xcode Life. Its thorough reports on ancestry and health range from $20 to $99.  

Keep in mind that although the product prices are relatively elevated, the real value rests on how much information you need. A pharmacogenetic test will pay for itself if it prevents you from taking medication that would cause more significant issues down the line.  

One point that strongly favors Dynamic DNA Labs is that insurance may cover the tests.

Review of Dynamic DNA Labs Reports

The Dynamics DNA Labs reports contain ample information on what is being tested and why, plus the individual results for each category. The document begins with an introduction from the founder, followed by some basics on biology to help readers better navigate.

Sample report covering the basics of biology
Sample report covering the basics of biology

You get a nice overview of all the categories’ results within the table of contents.

Sample report contents
Sample report contents

Every section begins with an introduction to what each category means and how genetics influences it. More specifically, each section tested gets its own detail, along with specific results for the marker tested, its SNP, and your genotype. 

Sample of an Endurance vs. Strength section of a Dynamic DNA report
Sample of an Endurance vs. Strength section of a Dynamic DNA report

In general, the reports are extensive and complete. They include the technical data on markers, SNPs, etc., plus insightful recommendations on how to improve one’s numbers.

Review of Dynamic DNA Labs Privacy

Dynamic DNA offers the advantage of in-house labs. This eliminates the need for a third party to manipulate the sample and data. However, Dynamic DNA Laboratories does point out that certain content, products, and services are made in connection with third parties. It is not liable for any harm or damages stemming from those.

All the information you enter into the website may be transferred unencrypted for network and technical requirements. Credit card information is always encrypted. 

The company claims it values privacy as a feature of utmost importance. There’s not much information on how it handles customer data except what is stated in the Terms of Use. However, the security measures applied are standard. It does not upload DNA to any database and never share it with anyone. 

The Privacy Policy mentions an informed consent you must sign before engaging in a genetic testing service through Dynamic DNA Laboratories. Unfortunately, we could not find a copy of such Informed Consent on the website.

Dynamic DNA Labs in the News

Dynamic DNA Laboratories joined the efforts to test COVID-19 in March 2020. These tests were taken on-site at its Springfield lab.

It is estimated that by 2027, the pharmacogenomics (PGx) market will reach USD 11.96 billion. Dynamic DNA Labs stands as a key player in this growth.  

Other Dynamic DNA Labs Reviews

Reviews from the public are mostly positive. Highlights refer to a responsive staff, professional work, and the usefulness of the information provided. Clients’ negative feedback includes the high price and how they felt the info provided with each test was too “common sense.”

Eight reviews on Trustpilot average a “Great” score of 4.1 out of 5. Most users of the FB page would recommend the product.  

Customers at Amazon seemed a bit more critical. The Nutrition DNA Test has, at the time of publication of this post, a score of 3.6 out of 5. It is worth mentioning that this is the opinion of only five verified customers. 

The company’s website has a section of reviews for every product, including positive and negative, which is good for transparency. Also, this is where customer service will reply to negative comments. 

Nebula Genomics

Privacy has become a serious concern in the last few years. So, shouldn’t you trust a company that places your privacy at the top of its offer? 

Nebula Genomics’ blockchain platform ensures that your data is safe and secure while it decodes 100% of your genome. Regularly updated reports ensure that you are kept up to date on the latest scientific research when it comes to your genome.

Nebula uses 30X whole genome sequencing. This DNA test gives you more information than any other tests on the market. Most tests, like the microarray analysis, only decode certain genes the company is looking for. In most cases, this covers less than 1% of your genome.

Nebula Genomics decodes 100% and provides you access to this raw data so that with one test, your entire genetic information is in your hands.

To ensure nothing gets left out, your DNA is sequenced an average of 30 times. Now, that is accuracy at your fingertips! 

The best part? All this information about your DNA is available to you at hard-to-beat prices

Start on a path to a better you today. Nebula Genomics is your first giant leap towards it.

Dynamic DNANebula Genomics
DNA testing methodMicroarray 30x whole genome sequencing
Sample collectionCheek swabSaliva
ReportsSingle reports based on the product orderedRegularly updated reports based on the latest research
Ancestry reportingYesPerform deep ancestry reporting with the complete Y chromosome and mtDNA sequencing
Raw data accessNoYes
Cost$99 – $249$0, $99, $299

Did you find our Dynamic DNA Labs review helpful? You can read more reviews on our blog and check out our complete guide to the best DNA test kit and other home tests.

Other companies

This company offers a variety of tests for different inquiries. Other companies that provide different testing options include:

  • 24Genetics (various tests for health, ancestry, sports, skin, pharmacogenomics, WES, and WGS)
  • Chronomics (wellness and epigenetic tests)
  • DNACode (fitness & nutrition, skin, and ancestry options)
  • dnaPower (health and wellness DNA testing for diet and fitness, brain health, and more)
  • Genebase (genetic tests for lifestyle, health, disease, traits, behavior, and ancestry)
  • GenebyGene (diagnostics, ancestry, and special services for forensics and researchers)
  • Genes for Good (research project with health surveys)
  • Genovate (relationship, health, fitness, and ancestry tests)
  • GenePlanet (European testing company for lifestyle, ancestry, and health)
  • HealthCodes DNA ($249-$799 for personalized plans for wellness, nutrition, and fitness)
  • Mapmygenome (preventative genetics, diagnostics, and Indian ancestry)
  • MiaDNA (health, wellness, traits, and fitness for adults and children)
  • Muhdo (genetic predispositions and epigenetics)
  • myDNA (personalized fitness, diet, and medication plans)
  • PerkinElmer Genomics (WES, WGS, newborn screening, and more)
  • Toolbox Genomics (various DNA, epigenetics, and health tests)

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