What type of DNA testing do you do?
What Type of DNA Testing Does SelfDecode Use?
SelfDecode uses advanced DNA genotyping to deliver fast, accurate, and highly actionable genetic insights—designed specifically for health optimization, longevity, and personalized recommendations.
Rather than reading every single letter of your DNA, genotyping focuses on the most informative locations in your genome, known as SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms). These small genetic variations influence everything from physical traits to metabolism, nutrient needs, medication response, and disease risk.
How SelfDecode’s Genotyping Works
We analyze your DNA using a high-density genotyping chip that directly measures hundreds of thousands of clinically relevant SNPs.
From there, we apply a powerful statistical method called imputation, which allows us to accurately infer additional genetic variants based on known inheritance patterns.
What this means for you:
- Over 80 million SNPs analyzed in total
- A deeply comprehensive genetic profile
- No need to sequence every base of DNA to gain meaningful insights
Imputation enables us to dramatically expand coverage while maintaining strong accuracy—especially for common and moderately rare variants that matter most for health and performance.
Why Genotyping?
Genotyping strikes the ideal balance between accuracy, speed, and affordability.
Key advantages:
- Highly accurate for common and health-relevant variants
- Faster turnaround than full sequencing
- Cost-effective, making advanced genetics accessible
- Extensively validated across population genetics and medical research
Our process is tightly quality-controlled and cross-validated with advanced computational checks to ensure reliable results you can trust.
How Does This Compare to Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)?
Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS)
WGS reads 100% of your DNA, capturing both common and ultra-rare variants.
Best suited for:
- Deep clinical investigation
- Rare genetic variants (found in fewer than 1 in 10,000 people)
- Advanced pharmacogenomics and research use cases
Trade-offs:
- Higher cost
- Typically longer processing times
- Often more data than most people need for everyday health optimization
Genotyping (What SelfDecode Uses Today)
Genotyping focuses on the most biologically informative portion of your genome—roughly the most important ~8% of genetic variation.
With imputation, a single SelfDecode DNA test covers:
- Up to 200 million genetic variants
- The vast majority of variants used in modern health and longevity research
While genotyping may not capture extremely rare mutations, it provides exceptional coverage for traits and risks that affect the majority of people.
Whole Genome Sequencing Is Coming to SelfDecode
We’re excited to share that Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) will be available through SelfDecode later this year.
Key details:
- 30× coverage (clinical-grade depth)
- Seamless integration with your existing SelfDecode reports
- Ideal for users who want the most complete genetic analysis possible
When choosing between genotyping and WGS, the right option depends on how you plan to use your data — whether for ongoing health optimization or deeper genetic exploration.
📬 Updates will be shared via email as WGS becomes available.
Explore your genetic potential with SelfDecode today! Get SelfDecode now!
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