APOE4 and your 23andMe raw data: how to check your status

A careful explainer · Updated June 2026

What the APOE gene is

APOE codes for apolipoprotein E, a protein that helps carry cholesterol and other fats through your bloodstream and brain. It comes in three common versions, called alleles: e2, e3, and e4. You inherit one copy from each parent, so everyone has a pair — for example e3/e3, e3/e4, or e2/e3. The most common version is e3, which is generally considered neutral. The e2 version is the least common and is often associated with lower risk. The e4 version is the one that draws the most attention.

How APOE4 is read from two SNPs in your 23andMe raw data

Here's the part that trips people up: there is no single line in your file labeled "APOE." Your genotype is determined by two SNPs together — rs429358 and rs7412. You read the genotype at each one and combine them.

Open your raw data file in a text editor and search for each rsID. On the standard (plus-strand) reference, the combination works like this:

• rs429358 = C and rs7412 = T → an e2 allele
• rs429358 = T and rs7412 = C → an e3 allele
• rs429358 = C and rs7412 = C → an e4 allele

Because you have two chromosomes, each SNP shows two letters, and the pair of results defines your two alleles — for instance, a CC at rs429358 alongside CC at rs7412 indicates e4/e4. One complication: 23andMe sometimes reports these markers on the minus strand, which flips the letters (a C reads as G, a T reads as A). This is why you shouldn't eyeball it alone — proper interpretation tools detect the strand and handle the flip for you, so the genotype they report is the corrected one. If you're matching letters by hand, confirm which strand your file uses before drawing any conclusion.

What an APOE4 allele actually means

An e4 allele is the strongest common genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease. Carrying one copy raises statistical risk; carrying two copies raises it more. But the key word is risk — not destiny.

Many people who carry e4 never develop Alzheimer's, and many people who develop Alzheimer's carry no e4 at all. APOE is one influence among many, alongside age, overall health, lifestyle, and other genes science is still mapping. A genotype is a probability, not a diagnosis or a prediction of your future. If you take only one thing from this article, let it be that distinction.

Checking your APOE4 status privately

If you choose to look, you can do it without sending your genome anywhere. Quanome imports your 23andMe, Ancestry, or whole-genome file and parses it directly on your phone — your raw DNA is never uploaded. It also respects that this is sensitive: you stay in control of what you choose to view, so sensitive findings aren't pushed at you. To get your file in the first place, see our guide to downloading your 23andMe raw data, and for the bigger picture our complete 23andMe raw data guide.

Frequently asked questions

Which SNPs do I need to find APOE4 in my 23andMe raw data?

You need two: rs429358 and rs7412. APOE genotype is defined by combining the genotypes at both markers, not by reading either one alone.

Does having an e4 allele mean I will get Alzheimer's?

No. An e4 allele is a risk factor, not a verdict. Many e4 carriers never develop Alzheimer's, and many people with Alzheimer's carry no e4. It shifts probability; it does not decide your future.

Should I talk to someone before checking my APOE status?

Yes — a certified genetic counselor or doctor is strongly recommended before and after looking. They can arrange clinically validated testing and help you interpret the result calmly and accurately. Some people also choose not to look at all, which is a valid decision.