Orchid Health review: Is this genetic test right for you?

Orchid Health provides genetic testing for parents-to-be who want to screen for potential health conditions that could affect their children. The company offers both embryo DNA testing and pre-pregnancy couple carrier testing, analyzing the entire genome and screening for hundreds of common and rare health conditions and diseases.

Our Orchid Health review explains how this service works, what conditions it tests for, and how it compares to other DNA testing options on the market. We will help you decide whether this service is a good fit for your family planning.

Orchid DNA testing: An overview

Orchid Health is a biotech company based in San Francisco, California. It provides advanced whole-genome embryo screening to improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy. The platform offers various insights into parents’ health and helps make informed decisions, especially for:

• Couples undergoing IVF or those concerned about complex genetic conditions

• Patients who would typically use PGT-M, as it eliminates the need for probe development

• Individuals concerned about new genetic changes, such as older parents or families with a child with a non-inherited genetic condition

• Those using donor eggs, sperm, or embryos, with limited contact with the donor for testing

Orchid health stands out in the IVF testing space because it uses whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to identify potential genetic risks before implantation. The technology analyzes the entire DNA sequence of an embryo — not just targeted panels, which ensures more accurate results.

Orchid provides two key services, as presented in the following table:

Orchid Health also offers free genetic counseling after testing to help families understand their results and make informed choices.

How does Orchid DNA testing work?

Orchid Health whole-genome embryo reports are available at various IVF centers. Here's what the process of obtaining a report looks like:

1. Consultation: Schedule a free consultation with a board-certified genetic counselor to learn about Orchid's services. You can also ask your fertility doctor about getting access to Orchid.

2. Sequencing process: Your IVF doctor will place an order for an Orchid DNA test. Then, an embryologist will send five cells from each embryo to Orchid's lab for complete genetic sequencing.

3. Reports: Orchid will analyze the genetic data and create a report on each embryo’s health risks.

4. Review with an expert: You’ll meet with a genetic counselor to discuss your results, risks, and which embryo to implant.

Source: Orchid Health

Carrier testing is more straightforward — here is what you need to do:

1. Take the test at home: Use Orchid's at-home kit to provide saliva samples from you and your partner.

2. Get your results: You'll receive three reports — a Couple Report, an Individual Report for you, and one for your partner. These reports detail your combined and individual genetic risks.

3. Talk to an expert: You can consult a genetic counselor to discuss your results and concerns.

Following Orchid Health's insights into your genetic risks, you can adjust your diet, fitness, and lifestyle. Additionally, follow-up embryo testing can help reduce genetic risks and ensure a healthy start for your baby.

Bonus reads — Get insights into other health-focused DNA platforms in our detailed reviews:

• Rupa Health review

• Lumen review

• Marek Health reviews

• 3x4 Genetics review

Orchid Health review: 6 key factors to consider

We have analyzed Orchid Health's DNA testing services, focusing on six key factors:

1. Types of insights

2. Quality and accuracy of data

3. Support and counseling 

4. Customer reviews and satisfaction

5. Pricing

6. Privacy and information access

1. Types of insights

Orchid Health claims to offer advanced preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) that relies on 30x whole-genome sequencing. The technology examines nearly 99% of an embryo's genetic code, unlike traditional PGT that analyzes less than 1% of an embryo's genome

With this screening, families can detect risks for hundreds of monogenic conditions under categories such as:

• Neurodevelopmental disorders: Conditions that affect brain development and function

• Congenital defects: These include heart defects, neuromuscular disorders, and vision or hearing loss

• Pediatric and hereditary cancers: Early detection can help families plan for potential health challenges

Source: Orchid Health

As for Orchid carrier screening, the company uses a saliva test from both partners to check for genetic mutations that could be passed to their child. It analyzes genetic risks for chronic conditions, such as:

• Mental health conditions: Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia

• Heart disease: Atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease

• Cancers: Breast cancer, prostate cancer

• Autoimmune & metabolic conditions: Celiac disease, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease

• Other health risks: Severe obesity (class III)

While Orchid Health screens for a broad range of conditions, their reports may not have the context and depth that most patients need. The technical reports would be insightful if you like raw data with minimal interpretations. Unfortunately, for many would-be parents and IVF patients, the results can feel overwhelming without streamlined guidance or pronounced next steps.

Pro tip 💡

If you’ve already done Orchid and are looking to go deeper into your analysis, Nucleus Embryo is the natural next step.

Patients not very familiar with genetic reports might have a hard time translating stiff lab results into actionable decisions. Nucleus Embryo is the first genetic optimization software that offers a more comprehensive and intuitive experience for decision-making during IVF. The tool can translate your whole-genome embryo files from Orchid into meaningful insights that allow parents to understand and select their embryos with transparency.

You can compare up to 20 embryos based on ~1,000 disease risks and characteristics, including those that indicate risks for hereditary, neurological, and mental health conditions, as well as physical characteristics, and more.

Unlike traditional data meant for clinicians, Nucleus is built for future parents who value context and clarity. It goes beyond viability and chromosome counts to offer a deeper look at hundreds of common and rare conditions like heart disease and certain cancers, ADHD, depression, and even traits like intelligence or eye color.

With Nucleus, you don’t have to spend hours consuming clunky PDFs or lab printouts. Sort, compare, and select embryos at your own pace in a clean, easy-to-use interface.

Get started with Nucleus today to complement your IVF journey.

2. Credibility and accuracy of results

Orchid's genetic test analyzes your entire DNA using advanced Illumina-based whole-genome sequencing technology. Its clinical-grade laboratory testing adds credibility to the genetic markers identified in every sample.

Furthermore, Orchid was developed by a team of experts, including embryologists, infertility specialists, and medical geneticists. It has also been backed by prominent figures in the genetics space, such as Anne Wojcicki from 23andMe and George Church, professor of genetics at MIT and Harvard Medical School.

As a relatively new startup founded in 2014, the company has earned a reputation in the industry. However, strong science and a decent reputation don’t always translate into useful patient experiences.

[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/IVF/comments/18bnuns/comment/kc6v8jg/)(495)

As mentioned earlier, Orchid’s patient-facing experience often doesn’t maintain pace with the underlying science. There might be high credibility to the numbers in the reports, but without relevant context for navigating high-stakes reproductive choices, parents may not be able to trust or interpret them.

Source: Orchid Health 

3. Support and counseling

To address the complexity in its reporting, Orchid Health provides access to board-certified genetic counselors. After testing, you’ll receive a personalized video that explains your results in simple terms.

In addition to the video, you can speak directly with a counselor. While these experts are well-trained to address patient questions, the value of these counseling services depends on how proactively you reach out with questions, which can be difficult if the reports themselves are technically dense. You should ideally do a thorough research of all the information available to you in the reports to ensure you have a productive session.

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4. Customer reviews and satisfaction

Orchid Health's DNA test has received both praise and criticism. Many hopeful parents appreciate the peace of mind it offers despite its high price of $2,500 per embryo. 

Some users have shared their experience of starting IVF and feeling anxious about genetic risks, but they were relieved when two of their three embryos tested healthy with Orchid Health’s testing.

However, the patient-facing experience may not always be the best with the company. Besides the hard-to-interpret reports, users have reported excessive marketing and follow-ups that can be distracting during a sensitive period.

[Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/IVF/comments/1jm1umx/comment/mk8gewx/)(265)

5. Pricing

Orchid Health's pricing for genetic testing services is not explicitly stated on its website. It mentions that Preimplantation Whole-Genome Sequencing costs around $12,500 for an IVF cycle with five biopsied embryos. These prices may vary depending on the clinic, the complexity of individual cases, and additional testing done. The platform also offers financing services for fertility treatments via CapexMD.

Compared to tellmeGen, which offers a more budget-friendly option with its Family DNA Starter Kit, Orchid Health's pricing can be significantly higher. That said, budget-friendly options can have limited screening parameters from Orchid Health or use outdated technology that may not offer complete results.

6. Privacy and information access

Orchid is HIPAA-compliant and the company’s privacy policy clearly outlines how your information is used, disclosed, and protected.

As for information access, Orchid primarily sells its services through fertility clinics. The website states that “Your IVF doctor orders Orchid on your behalf.” So, you get your data via your healthcare provider, which can create some friction to time-sensitive fertility treatments and makes you dependent on your clinic.

Verdict: Is Orchid DNA testing right for you?

Orchid Health can be a decent choice for prospective parents looking for an embryo DNA testing service. Still, the service has a few downsides. Orchid only focuses on reproductive health without considering broader physical and cognitive traits that parents may want to know. Also, the service can be quite expensive.

Here is a summary of Orchid Health's key pros and cons:

Orchid’s accessibility via clinics can also be a problem for some parents who may not enjoy going through a clinic or a lab portal to review their results. If you want to review your results on your own terms, or are simply looking for a more meaningful experience as you navigate fertility decisions, consider Nucleus.

Nucleus is a generational health testing platform that offers:

• Carrier screening (whole-genome DNA testing) to help you have healthier children

• Genetic optimization software to analyze and compare embryos during IVF

What makes Nucleus stand out is the fact that it provides more agency to you as a future parent.

You can upload your embryo data to Nucleus and uncover the full genetic profile of each embryo — health, personality, appearance, and intelligence — in one intuitive platform. The UI is designed for smoother individual access and decision-making. Couples can sort, compare, and even name their embryos before selecting one for implantation.

Support your IVF experience with Nucleus Embryo whole-genome sequencing

Nucleus Embryo uses PGT-P or whole-genome data to offer a comprehensive post-IVF embryo analysis. It provides data on ~1,000 genetic traits and conditions to help parents get an additional layer of information they can use to make confident decisions on which embryo to implant. 

After uploading embryo data, you’ll get illustrative reports of the embryos’ genetic information, most notably:

1. Screening for chronic and late-onset diseases: Nucleus Embryo evaluates polygenic risk for hundreds of common diseases like type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, anxiety, bipolar disorder, etc.

2. Rare variant screening for hereditary diseases: Nucleus analyzes for rare genetic markers linked to inherited conditions that other DNA tests often miss.

3. Predictions for well-being (physical and cognitive traits): The data you get from Nucleus Embryo goes beyond disease traits and includes:

   • Appearance traits like height, hair color, eye color, and chances of severe acne

   • Markers for intelligence, sleep patterns, mental health risks, and more

All analytical data is available via an interactive dashboard that lets you compare embryos and evaluate the identified traits.

Besides embryo analysis, you can opt for Nucleus Embryo’s multigenerational analysis by adding your and your partner’s DNA data. Doing so gives you more granular insights into the genetic risks your children could be exposed to and interpret the strength of some risks and traits identified in the embryo.

Get your individual Nucleus all-in-one health screening here.

How to get started with Nucleus Embryo

Nucleus Embryo can be a reassuring voice for individuals and couples undergoing a long and demanding IVF journey, as well as lead the way to more transparent choices. You can start with the following steps:

1. Ask your clinic for PGT-P testing with LifeView by Genomic Prediction

   • Orchid Health users can simply use their whole-genome files

2. Sign up for Nucleus Embryo during or after you complete your IVF cycle

3. Request your embryos’ PGT-P or whole-genome DNA data from your clinic

4. Upload the data to Nucleus and explore your interactive embryo analysis reports

Nucleus is HIPAA-compliant and only works with CAP/CLIA-certified U.S. labs, so you can expect the best data safety and privacy standards throughout.

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Feature image source: Valeriia Svietlova