A woman turned her entire world upside down after taking a test to 'learn more about her genealogy'. After seeing others take the at-home tests, she decided to try out out herself, curious about her genetic make up and the path her ancestors took in life.

However, she instantly regretted ever clicking 'buy now' after the results came through. Sharing her story on , her relative said: "I know that everyone is curious about their genealogy and it seems a harmless and could be useful in the case of genetic health issues test - but it's also important to remember that DNA testing can unearth family secrets that it serves no one to unearth.

"I saw this in my family when a niece did a [test] and found out her father was not her bio-father.

"The mum was shocked although she had been having an affair, she had made made a conscious decision to end it because she wanted a stable family for her child.

"She had no idea that she was pregnant with the other person's child. She was deeply in love with the man, but refused to break up the marriage over it."

It took her 45 years to learn the truth after taking the test - and she decided to reach out to her biological father soon after.

The anonymous person added: "The mum was in shock at first, but told the daughter that she would tell her anything she wanted to know and encouraged her to reach out to this man.

"The father who raised her, who was a great dad, had passed 20 years before. Unfortunately, the bio-dad had become an alcoholic and died shortly after they connected.

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"The daughter has now cut the mother off and hasn't spoken to her in five years. The mother is heartbroken, but understands her daughter's anger and has said: 'I have it coming... it's my punishment.' She is 73 now and this was her only child."

Sharing a warning to others, the Reddit user urges people to think twice before ordering a DNA kit, especially if they have no family problems as it could 'create' some.

They added: "Running out and getting a DNA test and then sharing the news in it indiscriminately can backfire. - badly.

"The story above isn't the only story I've heard of these tests shattering families. As I said, it's one thing if it's for a genetic/health reason that you need to understand a health history.

"But maybe some secrets just need to be secrets. My sister will never be the same - she's old and she's now lost the people she loved the most through her own fault - as she says.

"But, I have to remind her that she's human and humans make mistakes. At this point, it makes little difference.

"Just think carefully and wisely if you get a result back that is shocking, surprising, not what you expected. There can be more at stake here than your curiosity."

Commenting on their post, one user said: "Families don't shatter due to [test] results. They shatter due to lies, deception, selfishness, and betrayal." Another user added: "No. The truth is best, even if it's ugly."

A third user said: "No. Your sister is to blame for her actions. It is your sisters fault for lying to her daughter her entire life. Your niece deserved to know the truth. Your sister could have told her at any point in her life."