Genetic Testing
Exciting cutting edge developments in healthcare now allow your physician to bypass trial and error expenses and tailor treatments specific to you. Wouldn’t it be great to know what your body would respond to without side effects? Know if you are at risk for breast cancer or passing on a gene to your child so that you would know what to do about it before it appears. These are a few of the options now available with genetic testing. Please read and see if you would benefit from any of the test offered below.
Healthy Weight DNA
Healthy Weight DNA is the most comprehensive test of its kind. This test is used to assist the physician and the patient in improving weight and overall health. If you are striving to be healthy or lose weight this test allows the physician to more accurately identify your body’s needs. Healthy Weight DNA works by testing a variety of genes that influence your response to diet, metabolism, and exercise related traits, as well as Obesity related health conditions. With this information your provider will tailor a diet and exercise plan specifically for your unique needs. Please see the Weight Loss and Nutrition section for more weight loss options.
Carrier Status (Prenatal Screen)
Choosing to become pregnant is one of the most important decisions in a person’s life. Carrier status DNA insight provides you with information about your carrier status for known recessive genetic conditions that you might pass to your children. Having this information ahead of time may help you plan for the future. The Carrier Status test is intended to provide couples with information prior to conception; however the test can also be helpful to couples who are currently pregnant or already have children. In these instances please speak with the physician about variable options.
Mental Health DNA
Mental Health DNA insight can help a physician understand how a patient metabolizes certain psychiatric medications and identify which medication a patient is more likely to respond to. This test can enable a physician to choose an appropriate medication with less trial and error as well as minimizing a patient’s risk of adverse side effects. This includes the patient’s response to over 40 common antidepressants, mood stabilizers and antipsychotic medications.
BRCA/True (Breast Cancer Screen)
BRCA is a test that searches for mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. Having mutations in either the BRCA1 or the BRCA2 gene significantly increases your risk for breast, ovarian, and other types of cancers. Although these genes can be found in men and women and across all ethnicities, some groups are more likely to be affected such as those with a family history of cancer and people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent. You should speak to your physician about ordering this test if any of the following apply to you:
- Your mother or sister have been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer
- Diagnosed with both breast and ovarian cancer
- Family history of two or more related cancers in a single family member (breast and ovarian or colon cancer)
- Male breast cancer within your family
- Ashkenazi Jewish ethnic background