Did you know that you can use your 23andMe DNA file to learn important information about your health? 23andMe DNA files contain information about approximately 650,000 genetic variants and less than 1% of this information is used for your ancestry reports. While 23andMe has a health service option, they do not provide personalized recommendations based on your genes. However, you can follow the instructions below to download your raw DNA file and upload it to a more comprehensive service. Read on to learn how to login to 23andMe and download your DNA file.
Step 1: Go to 23andme.com and click “Sign In”.
To get access to your raw DNA file, you first need to log in to your 23andMe account.
Head over to the 23andMe website, and look for the sign-in button on the top right corner, as shown below. After you click that button, you should be redirected to the 23andMe login page.
Step 2: Enter your 23andMe login details (email and password).
Once you get to the 23andMe login page, you’ll be asked for the email and password that you used to set up your 23andMe account.
Once you enter that information, you will gain access to your account and be redirected to your 23andMe dashboard.
If you’ve forgotten your password, you can request a reset by clicking “Forgot your Password?”
Once you click, you’ll be asked for the email you used to set up your 23andMe account. Then, instructions will be sent to your email that will provide you with a guide on how to reset your password.
From there, you can follow the instructions, head back to the 23andMe login page, and input your email and password to access your account.
Step 3: Find your 23andMe raw DNA file
After you log in to your 23andMe account, you’ll reach your 23andMe dashboard and have access to your genealogy, ancestry family tree, and more. But the most valuable information you can gain is contained in your raw DNA file. Luckily, 23andMe has made it easy to download that file, all you have to do is follow this guide.
First, click on the arrow next to your name on the top right corner to open a dropdown menu. From there, choose “Browse Raw Data”
On the next page, you’ll see “Browse” and “Download” tabs towards the middle of the page. Click “Download” to switch over to the Download tab.
This is where you’ll be able to transfer your DNA file to your computer.
Here, you’ll see a disclaimer that discusses the sensitivity of your 23andMe genetic data. This is something that was discussed at the beginning of this article, but it’s important to reiterate. Do not sign in to your 23andMe account on a public computer or internet connection. Logging in to your 23andMe account should only be done on a private computer and with a private connection.
Step 4: Request your 23andMe raw data
Read through all the disclaimers, check the disclaimer box that confirms that you know you are responsible for storing, securing, and protecting your raw DNA file.
Then, click “Submit Request.” Once that’s done, you should get a notification from 23andMe that your raw DNA file has been sent to your email inbox.
Step 5: Check your inbox for an email from 23andMe
You should have received an email from 23andMe that provides you with a link to your raw DNA file.
Step 6: Log out of your 23andMe account
After a 23andMe login, don’t forget to sign out of your account. Find the drop-down menu on the top right corner of your screen and select the option to sign out.
When it’s all said and done, after receiving your raw DNA by logging in to 23andMe and following the instructions, what can you do with that information?
Step 7: Upload your 23andMe raw DNA file to SelfDecode
Your DNA consists of far more than just your ancestry. So far, 23andMe will have used only a small percentage of your DNA file to give you ancestry information, so there’s still plenty of potential to be unlocked.
When it comes to your health, a company such as SelfDecode could be a good choice to further explore your DNA. SelfDecode helps people take control of their health with supplement, diet, and lifestyle recommendations based on their DNA and lab test results. With personalized reports and advanced search tools available instantly online, it allows you to make data-driven health decisions that are the best for your body.
SelfDecode uses cutting-edge AI and machine learning to accurately predict and analyze up to 83 million genetic variants from a typical DNA file such as 23andMe’s. By uploading your 23andMe DNA file to SelfDecode, you’ll receive the fullest picture of your health.
Since you already learned how to log in to 23andMe and access your DNA file, you can upload your raw file straight into SelfDecode and get started right away.
Questions About SelfDecode
How does SelfDecode decide what health recommendations to give?
At SelfDecode, we look at all the relevant scientific research for a specific topic to determine which recommendations are best for the given topic (e.g. mood, sleep, gut health). Then, we look at your unique genotype to see which variants might be putting you at increased risk for problems in that health area. Finally, we provide you with a prioritized list of recommendations that will help improve your specific gene function AND the general health topic.
What are the main tools included with a SelfDecode subscription?
1. DNA Wellness Reports – These comprehensive reports analyze all of your genes related to a specific wellness issue and give suggestions to help you optimize that health area. We have over 40 reports for topics such as stress, mood, anxiety, sleep, cholesterol, heart health, and more. For each DNA report, SelfDecode analyzes up to 1 million+ genetic variants.
2. Lab Analysis – Just because your lab tests are in the “normal” range, doesn’t always mean your results are optimal. Upload past results or purchase your lab tests from SelfDecode, track your results, and get personalized suggestions on how to achieve optimal levels with SelfDecode Labs included in your membership.
What health problems can SelfDecode help solve?
SelfDecode is a tool that helps you make sense of your own health data. SelfDecode doesn’t only analyze more of your DNA (83 million genetic variants) compared to 23andMe (Over 600,000 SNPs), you’ll also get prioritized and personalized health recommendations – while others may be providing you with generalized health insights that might not always work for you.
That’s why you can use SelfDecode to improve practically any health issue that you’re experiencing. When you combine the data in your genes and lab results, with an accessible way to understand them, you’ll be able to reach levels of health optimization and achieve ease in your lifestyle that you never thought possible.
Learn More
Here you learned how to login to your 23andMe account and download your raw DNA file. If you’re interested in what you can do with your raw genetic data, you can find out more about your options in our other posts: