"It is only recently that my family learned about this disorder (factor V Leiden). Your services have proven that I have much to gain from the test...The customer service I got was very friendly, and I appreciate it greatly. I feel like I got special treatment.." — DH
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"It's very efficient: you get the test kit, you do the swab, you get the results. You get it explained. It's that simple." — JV
"Thank you for your report and comments. I have found them most helpful. I have an appointment with my health care provider in early May and I will take it from there." — JM
"DNA direct is the easiest & most informative way of getting DNA information independent of your doctor." — JD, Georgia.
"Until I found your site, I couldn't find anything useful. Your site opened a whole new world of information for me. And I read it ten times!" — AT, New Jersey
"Thank you very much for all of the useful information which you provided me about testing, etc.... It is nice to hear an honest opinion that is truthful." — MW, Michigan
"I am a women's health nurse practitioner, and not enough screening is being offered to women before they take OC's or get pregnant. I have risk factors for factor V leiden but was never screened and I wanted to make sure my daughter was safe before starting her on birth control pills." — Susan, Florida
Andrew Zolli, interviewed on "Marketplace" on National Public Radio:
Zolli: "I visited this really terrific web site called DNA Direct.... I ordered a genetic test, did the cheek swab test, sent it off to the lab and then got an email back saying my results were ready.... There was a special website created just for me, that showed me the results of my genetic test in context, and gave me a sense of what my risk factors were."Interviewer: "Are you glad that you got this done? Do you feel comfortable with the process?"
Zolli: "I do. I feel like information is power...by having my own control over that information. [Testing] was not something that came as an edict from my insurance company or from my doctor. It came from my own curiosity about my own body and my health.... And what's wonderful for me is that there are now these new sources for insight about what makes me tick. And for me, having more information is better."
"I liked being able to test myself at home, with no needles," says Gross, whose 20-year-old daughter was diagnosed with the disorder last year. "Finding out that I had one mutated gene helps explain the past, such as why I lost a newborn because of blood supply problems in 1994. It also will help keep me healthy in the future, since I've learned that sitting for long periods on a plane, or using hormone replacement therapy after menopause, could put me at high risk for clots." — Kelly Gross, quoted in Reader's Digest special 1000th issue
- Read more about the connection between thrombophilia and pregnancy loss.
"When I was waiting to receive my results, it was nice to receive the email saying, 'Your results have been received by the lab.' I received it right away and it told me when I would get my results back.... I noticed the communications and I felt connected along the way." — PK
"DNA Direct is a very professional service. Privacy and insurance concerns are the largest benefit to testing this way. All explanations were thorough, the testing kit easy to use, and the test results comprehensive, with all facts presented with a "lay person" in mind. The issue of choosing to file insurance, sharing the test information with one's doctor and/or family is discussed in a helpful manner. The genetic counselor, who is available by phone and e-mail, is professional and knowledgeable. The DNA Direct site offers many pertinent links to other helpful resources. The (confidential) results I received allow me to decide how I will manage my future medical health. The overall experience was very satisfactory." — LS, Texas
"It's an excellent and timely idea. Thank you." — Vancouver, BC
"I am grateful for this site, I hope it will help those with DVT, or those who will be diagnosed with it in the future. Thank you." — S.M.