Is inflammatory bowel disease hereditary?
Explore the genetic variants associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
IBD — Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis — is one of the areas where genome-wide studies have found the most replicated loci: hundreds of variants near genes governing the gut's immune defence and barrier function.
What the analysis shows
DNAHelper shows which IBD-associated variants your raw file contains. The result is a statistical association — not a diagnosis of bowel disease. The analysis is based on the traits inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis (762 associated variants, strong evidence strength).
Which variants matter
The best-known loci lie in NOD2 (the first gene linked to Crohn's), IL23R and ATG16L1 — genes controlling how the gut's immune system distinguishes the microbiome's bacteria from threats.
Crohn's and ulcerative colitis share many loci but differ in others — the genetic architecture mirrors that they are related but distinct diseases.
What research has actually found
Over 200 replicated loci make IBD one of the genetically best-mapped common disease categories — but each variant contributes little, and most carriers of risk variants never develop IBD.
Non-genetic factors — smoking, antibiotic use, diet, early infections — modify the risk considerably.
What matters more than genes
Symptoms such as prolonged diarrhoea, blood in the stool or unexplained weight loss belong with a doctor — regardless of genetic result. Diagnosis happens through testing, endoscopy and imaging.
A genetically 'low' result offers no protection, and a 'high' result is not a prognosis — most people with an elevated genetic signal stay healthy.
Limitations — read this before interpreting the result
This is educational information about statistical associations — not a medical statement, not a health test and not a statement about your health. The analysis is based on the traits inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis (strong evidence strength). If you suspect symptoms, contact healthcare — a predisposition is not a diagnosis.
Privacy: your file never leaves the browser
You pick your raw file locally — it is parsed and analysed entirely in your browser and is not uploaded for the standard analysis. The only exception is the optional DNA Chat feature where you, after explicit consent, can share selected variants. Read the privacy policy · What happens to your DNA file?
Compatible raw files
Works with raw data exports from MyHeritage, 23andMe, AncestryDNA and FamilyTreeDNA (.txt, .csv, .zip). The download guides show exactly where to find the file at your provider — and the file formats are explained here.
Also read: Method & science · All analyses · All traits · Celiac disease and gluten · Atopic eczema and heredity