Per share amount the entity paid for the shares of cost method investment.

No definition available.

Name:	ghdx_CostMethodInvestmentCostPerShare
Namespace Prefix:	ghdx_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the number of shares of cost method investment sold by the entity during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ghdx_SaleOfCostMethodInvestmentStockNumberOfShares
Namespace Prefix:	ghdx_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the cost of equity securities, which are categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading, net of adjustments for other-than-temporary impairments recognized in earnings (less any cumulative-effect adjustments recognized, as defined), and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, if any.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleEquitySecuritiesAmortizedCostBasis
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the gross profit realized on the sale of debt or equity securities categorized neither as held-to-maturity nor trading securities.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AvailableForSaleSecuritiesGrossRealizedGains
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentsAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount after tax of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income for unrealized gain (loss) realized upon the sale of available-for-sale securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 9
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82897076&loc=d3e27357-111563

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84228862&loc=d3e637-108580

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84228862&loc=d3e689-108580

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of tax expense (benefit) of reclassification adjustment from accumulated other comprehensive income for unrealized gain (loss) realized upon the sale of available-for-sale securities.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossReclassificationAdjustmentFromAOCIForSaleOfSecuritiesTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the sale of debt and equity securities classified as available-for-sale securities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 11
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82896770&loc=d3e26853-111562

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 12
-Subparagraph (a),(b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=ghdx_InvitaeCorporationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis=us-gaap_CommonStockMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis=us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember
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Period Type:

Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Marketable Securities Sold) (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Investments in Privately Held Companies
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities			$ 10,155,000	$ 5,117,000
Realized gains on available-for-sale marketable securities			2,807,000	2,009,000
Amount reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income			1,127,000	787,000
Invitae
Investments in Privately Held Companies
Carrying value		$ 10,700,000		10,700,000
Amount reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income			1,100,000	787,000
Amount reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income, tax portion			821,000	448,000
Common Stock \| Sale \| Invitae
Investments in Privately Held Companies
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities			$ 10,200,000	$ 5,100,000
Cost per share (in dollars per share)			$ 6.28	$ 6.28
Realized gains on available-for-sale marketable securities			$ 2,800,000	$ 2,000,000
Number of shares of cost method investment sold by entity	0	0