Compass is still being developed and is effectively in beta. Some content and features may be incomplete, change, or not work as expected.

Content is anchored to trusted sources where available, but Compass has not yet been clinically reviewed. It provides general information rather than medical advice.

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Genetics and inheritance

Genetic testing

Looking at particular genes in a blood or saliva sample to see whether a known change is present.

What it means

Usually a set of genes looked at together. In someone with symptoms it can explain a cause, and a named cause is what some trials and gene-targeted treatments are organised around. It also produces information about relatives, which is why counselling comes with it rather than after it.

Why you might hear it

  • It is offered more widely now than it once was.
  • Availability and cost differ a great deal between countries.

People who may help

Where Compass goes into this

About this explanation

These are plain explanations of words you may come across, not advice about your own situation. Where a word matters to a decision, the question pages go into it properly, and your own team is the place to take it.