What you carry at this position in your DNA and what research says about it.
Cardiovascular Health: 10/10 evidence, 41 publications.
You're viewing every possible genotype for this variant.
None of these is your result. Use the genotype toggle to compare them, then sign up and upload your DNA to see which one is yours.
Sample genotype (not yours): G/G
Higher Cholesterol and Triglycerides
This genotype is associated with higher levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, alongside lower HDL cholesterol. It also correlates with slightly higher systemic inflammation but may offer slightly better kidney filtration.
What this genotype means: Higher circulating triglycerides; Lower HDL cholesterol; Slightly higher systemic inflammation.
Sample genotype (not yours): A/A
Favorable Lipid Profile
This genotype is linked to lower levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as higher HDL cholesterol. While beneficial for cardiovascular markers, it is associated with slightly lower kidney filtration rates.
What this genotype means: Lower circulating triglycerides; Higher protective HDL cholesterol; Slightly lower kidney filtration rate.
Sample genotype (not yours): G/A
Typical Lipid Profile
This genotype represents a balanced, typical genetic influence on cholesterol, triglycerides, and kidney function. Most metabolic markers remain near the population average.
What this genotype means: Typical lipid and cholesterol levels; Average kidney filtration rate; Standard baseline cardiovascular risk.
Gene function and biological role
Gene Function: The CYP26A1 gene encodes an enzyme that metabolizes retinoic acid, a highly active form of vitamin A that regulates cell growth and tissue development. Beyond its role in vitamin A clearance, this gene is a major player in metabolic health and lipid regulation. Genetic variations in this region are heavily implicated in how the body processes circulating fats, including cholesterol and triglycerides [1]. It also influences systemic inflammatory markers and renal filtration pathways [2].
Variant Impact: The rs2068888 variant is a regulatory genetic marker located near the CYP26A1 gene. This variant acts as an expression quantitative trait locus, meaning it influences how actively the CYP26A1 gene is expressed in metabolic tissues. Altered expression of this gene changes the rate of retinoic acid breakdown, which downstream impacts lipid synthesis and transport [1]. Large-scale genome-wide association studies consistently link this specific variant to variations in blood lipid levels and kidney function markers [3].
Key Insight: This variant acts as a metabolic pivot, where the allele that lowers cardiovascular lipid risks also slightly reduces kidney filtration efficiency.
Location: CYP26A1. Chromosome 10 · 10q23.33 · 93.1 Mb
Estimated prevalence by population
Global 34.0%; European 29.7%; African 50.8%; East Asian 4.7%; South Asian 12.5%; Americas 29.1%; Ashkenazi 25.5%; Finnish 30.0%; Middle Eastern 37.5%; Amish 38.0%.
Estimated GG genotype frequency.
Global 46.5%; European 49.6%; African 40.9%; East Asian 33.9%; South Asian 45.7%; Americas 49.7%; Ashkenazi 50.0%; Finnish 49.5%; Middle Eastern 47.5%; Amish 47.3%.
Estimated GA genotype frequency.
Global 19.4%; European 20.7%; African 8.2%; East Asian 61.5%; South Asian 41.9%; Americas 21.2%; Ashkenazi 24.5%; Finnish 20.5%; Middle Eastern 15.0%; Amish 14.7%.
Estimated AA genotype frequency.
Showing effects for G/G genotype
Cardiovascular & Metabolic
Lipids & Cholesterol
Triglycerides. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 20686565. Increased Levels.
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 29507422. Decreased Levels.
LDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 32154731. Increased Levels.
Organ Systems
Kidney Function & Disease
Kidney Function. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 31152163. Slightly Increased.
Immunity & Inflammation
Inflammatory & Circulating Protein Markers
C-Reactive Protein. Evidence: 9/10. Source: PMID 31900758. Slightly Increased.
Showing effects for A/A genotype
Triglycerides. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 20686565. Decreased Levels.
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 29507422. Increased Levels.
LDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 32154731. Decreased Levels.
Kidney Function. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 31152163. Slightly Decreased.
C-Reactive Protein. Evidence: 9/10. Source: PMID 31900758. Slightly Decreased.
Showing effects for G/A genotype
Triglycerides. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 20686565. Typical Levels.
HDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 29507422. Typical Levels.
LDL Cholesterol. Evidence: 10/10. Source: PMID 32154731. Typical Levels.
Kidney Function. Evidence: 8/10. Source: PMID 31152163. Typical.
C-Reactive Protein. Evidence: 9/10. Source: PMID 31900758. Typical.
What this genotype means for the people who carry it
Sample genotype: GG (Homozygous)
Having two copies of the G allele is linked to a less favorable blood lipid profile. Research indicates a consistent association with elevated triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, which are key markers for cardiovascular risk [1]. Concurrently, individuals with this genotype tend to have lower levels of protective HDL cholesterol [2]. Systemic inflammation, measured by C-reactive protein, also tends to be slightly higher [3]. However, this genetic profile is associated with a slightly higher estimated glomerular filtration rate, suggesting efficient kidney function [4]. Managing cardiovascular health through diet and exercise is particularly relevant for this group.
Higher circulating triglycerides; Lower HDL cholesterol; Slightly higher systemic inflammation.
Sample genotype: AA (Homozygous)
Having two copies of the A allele is associated with a highly favorable cardiovascular lipid profile. Studies show a strong correlation with lower circulating triglycerides and reduced LDL cholesterol levels [1]. Additionally, this genotype is linked to higher levels of protective HDL cholesterol [2]. Systemic inflammation markers, such as C-reactive protein, also tend to be lower in these individuals [3]. On the other hand, this genetic profile is associated with slightly lower estimated glomerular filtration rates and higher creatinine, indicating slightly less efficient kidney filtration [4]. Overall, the cardiovascular benefits of this profile are highly advantageous.
Lower circulating triglycerides; Higher protective HDL cholesterol; Slightly lower kidney filtration rate.
Sample genotype: GA (Heterozygous)
Carrying one G allele and one A allele results in an intermediate metabolic profile. Blood levels of LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides generally align with population averages [1]. Systemic inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein also remain within typical ranges [2]. Kidney filtration rates are balanced, showing no significant genetic push toward high or low efficiency [3]. This genotype does not carry the elevated cardiovascular lipid risks of the G/G genotype, nor does it experience the slight reduction in kidney filtration associated with the A/A genotype. Standard healthy lifestyle choices are sufficient to maintain optimal metabolic balance.
Typical lipid and cholesterol levels; Average kidney filtration rate; Standard baseline cardiovascular risk.
Variants with shared genetic architecture
rs4418728 · CYP26A1 Gene · Chr 10 · Cholesterol and Lipids
rs1077835 · LIPC Gene · Chr 15 · HDL Cholesterol Levels
rs139974673 · CATSPER2P1 Gene · Chr 15 · Triglyceride and Lipid Levels
A catalog of genetic loci associated with kidney function from analyses of a million individuals.
A cross-population atlas of genetic associations for 220 human phenotypes.
Biological, clinical and population relevance of 95 loci for blood lipids.
A large electronic-health-record-based genome-wide study of serum lipids.
Content updated August 2026.
ReadYourDNA provides educational interpretation of DNA data you already have. It is not diagnostic, not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to a clinician before acting on any result.
Raw DNA Data Reports for 23andMe & AncestryDNA · About ReadYourDNA · FAQ · Methodology & Science · Pricing · Support and complaints · Legal & Contact · Health Traits · Pharmacogenomics · Carrier Status · Variant Explorer · The Human Karyotype · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service · Accessibility · Consumer Health Data Privacy · Your Privacy Choices · Editorial Standards · Your Data, Checkable · Sample Report · ReadYourDNA and Promethease compared · What is inside a 23andMe raw data file · What is inside an AncestryDNA raw data file · What a chatbot can and cannot do with your raw DNA file · Where a raw DNA file can still be uploaded in 2026
Written, maintained and operated by Martin Pechhacker, sole proprietor, Vienna, Austria. Trade register GISA 40064420. support@readyourdna.com