COMMON QUESTIONS ANSWERED
How does it work?
Simply click "Get the DNA Consult" (below) with Dr. Jay or your preferred DNA Coach and complete the payment process.
Next, Dr. Jay or your DNA Coach will email you (within 24-hours) and schedule the DNA Consult with you using a simple calendar link. Spell your email correctly during checkout!
If needed, you can do a DNA test at the same time as signing up for a DNA consult. Most companies use the same 3rd party (Illumina) DNA testing chip, so price shop! And aim to complete your DNA sequencing test (preferably via MyHeritage or 23andme or other 3rd party companies) before your scheduled consult with AJ Consulting Company. Those companies generally take around 6-weeks. Note: when buying a DNA test, you don't need their overpriced "health reports" since AJ Consulting Company has that covered in far greater depth! The "ancestry-only" kits provide all you need for a DNA Consult with AJ Consulting Company.
To download the necessary "raw data file" from 23andme.com, follow these instructions.
To download the necessary "raw data file" from MyHeritage, follow these instructions.
Near the time of your scheduled DNA Consult, Dr. Jay or your DNA Coach will email you a DNA Report. Your DNA Report is created by Dr. Jay even if you choose to do your consult with a DNA Coach. The DNA Report will be discussed with your during your consult and it will be made simple and easy to understand and implement.
DNA Coaches are trained to simplify your DNA information and communicate your most important DNA variants. They will discuss your most important DNA weak spots and optimization strategies during your consult. The DNA Coaches are trained by Dr. Jay and are excellent at discussing your DNA report, although Dr. Jay is the best resource for complex questions.
Next, Dr. Jay or your DNA Coach will email you (within 24-hours) and schedule the DNA Consult with you using a simple calendar link. Spell your email correctly during checkout!
If needed, you can do a DNA test at the same time as signing up for a DNA consult. Most companies use the same 3rd party (Illumina) DNA testing chip, so price shop! And aim to complete your DNA sequencing test (preferably via MyHeritage or 23andme or other 3rd party companies) before your scheduled consult with AJ Consulting Company. Those companies generally take around 6-weeks. Note: when buying a DNA test, you don't need their overpriced "health reports" since AJ Consulting Company has that covered in far greater depth! The "ancestry-only" kits provide all you need for a DNA Consult with AJ Consulting Company.
To download the necessary "raw data file" from 23andme.com, follow these instructions.
To download the necessary "raw data file" from MyHeritage, follow these instructions.
Near the time of your scheduled DNA Consult, Dr. Jay or your DNA Coach will email you a DNA Report. Your DNA Report is created by Dr. Jay even if you choose to do your consult with a DNA Coach. The DNA Report will be discussed with your during your consult and it will be made simple and easy to understand and implement.
DNA Coaches are trained to simplify your DNA information and communicate your most important DNA variants. They will discuss your most important DNA weak spots and optimization strategies during your consult. The DNA Coaches are trained by Dr. Jay and are excellent at discussing your DNA report, although Dr. Jay is the best resource for complex questions.
Do i neeD a dna test completed before my consult?
No.
You can set up your consult with AJ Consulting Company and then get your DNA sequenced. However, you must have your DNA sequenced via MyHeritage or 23andme (or similar) at some point for a DNA Consult. The MyHeritage or 23andme DNA sequencing companies are separate from AJ Consulting Company and they do an excellent job sequencing your DNA with over 99.99% reproducibility. AJ Consulting Company recommends you use an alias, if possible, when ordering the DNA kit from them to protect your privacy. When you purchase a DNA kit from them, they mail you a tube to spit into (or a cheek swab) and a box to mail the tube back. The DNA sequencing process usually take about 4-6 weeks to complete.
Again: if you have not completed MyHeritage or 23andme DNA sequencing, you can still sign-up for your DNA Consult today. But be sure to allow 6-weeks for the DNA sequencing to be completed when you schedule your consult with AJ Consulting Company.
You can set up your consult with AJ Consulting Company and then get your DNA sequenced. However, you must have your DNA sequenced via MyHeritage or 23andme (or similar) at some point for a DNA Consult. The MyHeritage or 23andme DNA sequencing companies are separate from AJ Consulting Company and they do an excellent job sequencing your DNA with over 99.99% reproducibility. AJ Consulting Company recommends you use an alias, if possible, when ordering the DNA kit from them to protect your privacy. When you purchase a DNA kit from them, they mail you a tube to spit into (or a cheek swab) and a box to mail the tube back. The DNA sequencing process usually take about 4-6 weeks to complete.
Again: if you have not completed MyHeritage or 23andme DNA sequencing, you can still sign-up for your DNA Consult today. But be sure to allow 6-weeks for the DNA sequencing to be completed when you schedule your consult with AJ Consulting Company.
Is 23andme.com or MyHeritage better?
Both companies test about 650,000 SNPs. 23andme does check the ApoE4 gene, however, which most other DNA testing companies do not test for technical reasons. Compare prices.
Ancestry.com has stopped providing full raw data files, so I no longer recommend them. 23andme is still going strong, despite corporate restructuring after a bankruptcy issue in 2025. Generally, the cheapest DNA test company is MyHeritage.com but they don't test quite as many health SNPs as 23andme. If you have an old or new DNA file from a 23andme test (or similar), that is excellent for a DNA consult. Your DNA never changes.
Ancestry.com has stopped providing full raw data files, so I no longer recommend them. 23andme is still going strong, despite corporate restructuring after a bankruptcy issue in 2025. Generally, the cheapest DNA test company is MyHeritage.com but they don't test quite as many health SNPs as 23andme. If you have an old or new DNA file from a 23andme test (or similar), that is excellent for a DNA consult. Your DNA never changes.
Can i use a different dna sequencing company?
Yes. We can use 23andme or older files (pre-2026) from Ancestry.com, but also MyHeritage, MyHappyGenes, SelfDecode, FamilyTreeDNA, or LivingDNA, but we will need the "raw data" file (.txt or .zip or .csv).
Aside from the companies listed above, there are no guarantees that the DNA data from other companies will be compatible with Dr. Jay's software. We are aware that many other companies offer DNA Sequencing. The good news is virtually all of them simply use the same 3rd party [Illumina] chips to sequence your DNA. If you've done your DNA with a company not listed here, simply send us an email ([email protected]) and Dr. Jay will test the DNA file, to see if it's compatible with his software for a DNA analysis!
Aside from the companies listed above, there are no guarantees that the DNA data from other companies will be compatible with Dr. Jay's software. We are aware that many other companies offer DNA Sequencing. The good news is virtually all of them simply use the same 3rd party [Illumina] chips to sequence your DNA. If you've done your DNA with a company not listed here, simply send us an email ([email protected]) and Dr. Jay will test the DNA file, to see if it's compatible with his software for a DNA analysis!
Should I pay extra for 23andme.com oR MYHERITAGE "health reports" or similar upgrades?
No.
Buy the cheapest DNA kit you can find - they all provide the exact same "raw data" file. Except the 2026 Ancestry.com tests.
The information in "health reports" from DNA companies is superficial and provides information that most people find useless (for example, they tell you your eye color which you hopefully already know). Your consult with AJ Consulting Company will provide far more meaningful and practical information in the context of your own goals and current health history. The only thing Dr. Jay needs for your DNA consult is the "raw data file" which is provided by these companies even when you utilize their cheapest possible "ancestry-only" kits.
Buy the cheapest DNA kit you can find - they all provide the exact same "raw data" file. Except the 2026 Ancestry.com tests.
The information in "health reports" from DNA companies is superficial and provides information that most people find useless (for example, they tell you your eye color which you hopefully already know). Your consult with AJ Consulting Company will provide far more meaningful and practical information in the context of your own goals and current health history. The only thing Dr. Jay needs for your DNA consult is the "raw data file" which is provided by these companies even when you utilize their cheapest possible "ancestry-only" kits.
Can I experience a real-life dna consulting session before purchasing one?
Yes.
Check out any of the "DNA with DRJ" Podcast episodes where Dr. Jay has analyzed DNA on-air under the "Podcasts" tab above. It's free on YouTube.
Check out any of the "DNA with DRJ" Podcast episodes where Dr. Jay has analyzed DNA on-air under the "Podcasts" tab above. It's free on YouTube.
CAN DR. JAY ANALYZE MY DATA FROM 23&ME AND ANCESTRY.COM?
Yes.
If you've had your DNA sequenced by both 23andme as well as Ancestry.com (or other companies), Dr. Jay will give you 2 reports within a single consult, no extra charge. Simply let Dr. Jay know you have done the DNA kit from both companies after buying the "DNA Consult with Dr. Jay".
If you've had your DNA sequenced by both 23andme as well as Ancestry.com (or other companies), Dr. Jay will give you 2 reports within a single consult, no extra charge. Simply let Dr. Jay know you have done the DNA kit from both companies after buying the "DNA Consult with Dr. Jay".
CONFIDENTIALITY? Privacy?
First of all, AJ Consulting Company does not save your DNA data. After the consult, all of your DNA information is deleted.
Second, when you purchase a DNA kit, use an alias. You don't need to use your real name! Call yourself "Super Man" or "Super Woman" or something clever. People do this all the time with their DNA kits. Additionally, you can even have a friend buy the kit for you (so it's linked to a different credit card) or you can use a pre-paid card with no name associated with the credit card.
Second, when you purchase a DNA kit, use an alias. You don't need to use your real name! Call yourself "Super Man" or "Super Woman" or something clever. People do this all the time with their DNA kits. Additionally, you can even have a friend buy the kit for you (so it's linked to a different credit card) or you can use a pre-paid card with no name associated with the credit card.
Can i use an HSA account?
No. As with anything from the federal government regarding medical programs, there are strings attached.
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Dr. Anthony Jay
Since founding AJ Consulting Company in 2010, Dr. Anthony Jay has conducted over 4,000 personalized DNA consultations. A health expert, DNA analyst, author, and speaker, Dr. Jay previously served as a researcher at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for three years. He holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the Boston University School of Medicine, as well as a double major and double minor from Ave Maria University. Throughout his career, Dr. Jay has analyzed the DNA of elite performers — including MLB and NFL athletes and U.S. Special Forces operators — alongside thousands of everyday individuals looking to optimize their health. |
