How To Upload 23andMe Raw Data for Pharmacogenomic Analysis (2026 Guide)

If you have taken a DNA test from 23andMe, AncestryDNA, MyHeritage, or FamilyTreeDNA, your raw data file already contains the genetic variants needed for pharmacogenomic analysis. This guide walks you through the entire process — from downloading your raw data to understanding what your report includes.

The process takes under 5 minutes. You do not need to order a new test, provide a saliva sample, or wait for lab results. You are reusing data you already have.

What Is a Raw Data File?

When a consumer DNA testing company like 23andMe analyzes your saliva sample, they genotype hundreds of thousands of specific positions (SNPs) in your genome. The raw data file is a text file containing every variant they measured — typically 600,000 to 700,000 data points for 23andMe v5, or around 700,000 for AncestryDNA.

This file includes the pharmacogenomic variants in genes like CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, SLCO1B1, and MTHFR — the same variants used in clinical pharmacogenomic testing. DecodeMyBio extracts this subset and maps it to CPIC clinical guidelines.

Step 1 — Download Your Raw Data File

Each DNA testing company provides a way to download your raw data. Here are the current steps for each provider (as of March 2026):

23andMe

1. Log in to your 23andMe account at you.23andme.com
2. Navigate to Settings (gear icon, top right)
3. Scroll to 23andMe Data and select Download Raw Data
4. Re-enter your password and confirm via the email verification link
5. Click Download — you will receive a .zip file containing a .txt file

Note: Do not unzip the file. DecodeMyBio accepts the .zip file directly.

AncestryDNA

1. Log in to your Ancestry account at ancestry.com
2. Go to DNA → Settings
3. Under DNA Data, click Download Raw DNA Data
4. Confirm your identity via email or password
5. Download the .zip file

MyHeritage

1. Log in at myheritage.com and go to DNA → Manage DNA kits
2. Click the three-dot menu next to your kit and select Download raw DNA data
3. Confirm and download

FamilyTreeDNA

1. Log in at familytreedna.com
2. Go to Results → Raw Data → Download Raw Data
3. Select Build 37 Autosomal (the standard format)
4. Download the file

Step 2 — Upload to DecodeMyBio

1. Go to the upload page
2. Click Choose File or drag and drop your raw data file (the .zip or .txt file you downloaded)
3. DecodeMyBio automatically detects your DNA testing provider and file format — no manual configuration needed
4. Processing takes approximately 30–60 seconds. You will see a progress indicator while your variants are being extracted and mapped to CPIC guidelines

Step 3 — Review Your Reports

Once processing completes, you receive three reports covering 19 genes and 150+ drug-gene interactions:

What You Get

• Medication Safety Report — Covers cardiovascular medications (clopidogrel, warfarin, simvastatin), pain medications (codeine), and more. Each drug-gene interaction includes your metabolizer phenotype, CPIC evidence level, and the clinical recommendation.
• Psychiatric Medication Report — Covers SSRIs (escitalopram, sertraline, paroxetine), SNRIs (venlafaxine), tricyclics (amitriptyline), antipsychotics (aripiprazole), and ADHD medications (atomoxetine).
• Nutrition & Methylation Report — Covers MTHFR variants and nutrient metabolism genes relevant to folate, B12, and methylation pathways. For background on what methylation tests measure and their limitations, see the testing methylation pathways guide.

What Each Report Includes

• Your metabolizer phenotype for each gene (poor, intermediate, normal, or ultrarapid)
• Your diplotype and activity score — the specific allele combination and the CPIC-standardized score that determines your phenotype
• CPIC clinical recommendations — the specific guideline text for your phenotype-drug combination, with evidence level (A or B)
• A clinician pocket summary — a one-page format designed for a doctor or pharmacist to review in under 60 seconds

Supported File Formats

What About Privacy?

Your raw data file is processed locally in your browser session. For details on how your data is handled, see our privacy policy. DecodeMyBio does not sell, share, or retain your genetic data beyond the session needed to generate your report.

Limitations of Consumer DNA Data

Consumer genotyping arrays have known limitations compared to clinical-grade pharmacogenomic testing:

• Structural variants: Consumer arrays cannot detect gene deletions or duplications (e.g., CYP2D6 gene copy number variation). This means some ultrarapid metabolizer or poor metabolizer calls that depend on structural variants may be missed.
• Rare alleles: Only common, well-characterized alleles are covered. Very rare variants may not be on the array.
• Not a clinical diagnostic test: DecodeMyBio provides informational reports — not FDA-cleared diagnostic results. For high-stakes prescribing decisions, a provider-ordered pharmacogenomic test with CLIA-certified laboratory analysis may be appropriate.

For a detailed discussion, see our limitations page and methodology.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. DecodeMyBio provides informational pharmacogenomic reports — not clinical diagnostic testing. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any medication changes.