Could your genetics hold clues to the chronic symptoms you've been struggling to understand? In this episode of The Health Fix Podcast, Jannine Krause sits down with Natalie Sampson, genetic counselor and functional medicine practitioner at Golden Genetics, to explore how genetic testing can help us better understand our health, identify potential risks, and make more informed decisions about personalized care. With so many direct-to-consumer DNA tests and genetic reports available, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by conflicting information and recommendations. Natalie explains the difference between diagnostic genetics and functional genomics, why interpreting individual genes without considering the bigger picture can be misleading, and how genetics can work alongside symptoms, medical history, and conventional testing to guide care. They also discuss why genetics may be worth exploring for people experiencing unexplained chronic symptoms, histamine issues, brain fog, fertility challenges, or health changes during perimenopause and menopause. Rather than relying on a single gene or test result to determine what your body needs, this conversation highlights the value of working with qualified professionals who can interpret your results in context and help you make informed decisions about your health. In This Episode, You'll Learn The difference between diagnostic genetic testing and functional genomics. Why direct-to-consumer DNA tests and AI-generated interpretations may not tell the whole story. How genetic variations may influence histamine issues, inflammation, detoxification pathways, and medication responses. Why genetic results need to be interpreted alongside symptoms, medical history, and other laboratory findings. How pharmacogenomics explores the relationship between your DNA and medication response. Why genetic counseling may be helpful when navigating fertility challenges and carrier screening. How family history can inform conversations about cancer, heart disease, dementia, and other inherited risks. Why perimenopause and menopause can be valuable times to reassess your health and consider a more personalized approach. How genetics can support proactive, preventive, and individualized healthcare without dictating every decision. Key Takeaways 1. Your genes are only part of the picture. Genetic results can provide useful information, but they need to be considered alongside your symptoms, lifestyle, family history, and other clinical findings. 2. More testing doesn't automatically mean more answers. A single genetic variant rarely tells the entire story. Looking at relevant genes together and interpreting them in context can help avoid misleading conclusions and unnecessary interventions. 3. Your symptoms matter. How you feel and respond to treatment is an important part of understanding your health. Genetic information can add context, but it should not replace clinical evaluation or listening to your body. 4. Genetic testing can support more personalized care. For some people, genetic counseling and testing may help clarify unexplained symptoms, medication responses, fertility challenges, or inherited health risks. 5. You don't have to make every health decision based on your genetic results. The goal of genetic counseling is to help you understand your options, ask better questions, and make informed decisions that fit your needs and circumstances. About Natalie Sampson Natalie Sampson, MS, CGC, IFNCP, works with Golden Genetics, helping individuals and healthcare providers understand genetic information and its potential role in personalized care. Her work brings together genetic counseling and functional genomics to help people explore inherited risks, chronic symptoms, fertility concerns, and individualized health strategies. Connect with Golden Genetics Learn more about genetic counseling, testing, and personalized care through Golden Genetics. https://www.goldengeneticshealth.com/ Connect with Dr. Jannine Krause Check out Dr. Krause's Website for more resources and subscribe for more conversations on functional medicine, longevity, brain health, hormones, nutrition, and natural strategies to optimize your health. Be sure to Like, Subscribe, and Share this episode with anyone looking to live pain free for life! Let's be friends on INSTA: https://www.instagram.com/drjanninekrause/