GeneSight Genetic Testing Near South Florida
Medication can be a great way to treat behavioral health disorders. However, those struggling with mental illness and/or substance use disorders know how difficult it can be to find the right medication. Oftentimes, you have to try many different types of drugs before you find the one that works best for you. Unfortunately, this process can take weeks or even months. Thankfully, innovative treatment strategies such as GeneSight genetic testing near South Florida are growing in popularity.
The need for this testing stems from the fact that people respond differently to medications. Multiple factors go into this including genes, allergies, and body composition. Thus, these factors influence the way you react emotionally, physically, and hormonally to certain drugs.
Specifically, a GeneSight test evaluates two types of genes: pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic. By testing pharmacodynamic genes, a medical professional can understand what a medication does to your body, thus helping them identify potential side effects of the specific medication. Conversely, testing pharmacokinetic genes tell medical professionals how your body will break down medications as it determines how your body will affect the medication.
How Does GeneSight Testing Work Near South Florida?
How Long Does Testing Take?
GeneSight Testing for Medication
- “As Directed.” Medications in this category do not associate with any known genetic issues that would influence the patient’s response.
- “Moderate Gene-Drug Interaction.” These medications might be less likely to work based on your gene composition or the dose might need adjustments in order to create the desired effect.
- “Significant Gene-Drug Interaction.” Medications that fall into this category are least likely to work. Additionally, they are most likely to require dose adjustments and produce side effects.
Antidepressants typically treat depression. GeneSight testing can help treat depression as it determines which antidepressants will work best for your condition. For example, it can test for multiple classes of antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).
Currently, the GeneSight Psychotropic test includes over 50 medications. In addition to antidepressants among other medications, this includes mood stabilizers such as Tegretol, Lamictal, and Trileptal. Mood stabilizers treat bipolar disorder as those struggling with this condition face intervals of manic and depressive states.
Also known as a dual diagnosis, those battling substance use disorder often have a co-occurring mental illness. By treating both of these conditions together, you can heal fully and effectively. Additionally, GeneSight testing in South Florida could help identify how you react to benzodiazepines among other potentially addictive substances in order to highlight risks before they are taken.
Does Insurance Cover GeneSight Testing Near South Florida?
GeneSight Genetic Testing Near South Florida
Dr. Alam is an internationally renowned psychiatrist with academic affiliations with Northwestern University and University of Illinois, Chicago where he completed his residency training. He has been a principal investigator for over forty studies and has been involved in research leading to the approval of most psychiatric medications currently on the market. He is the founder of the Neuroscience Research Institute which continues to conduct research on cutting edge medication and interventional psychiatry. Dr. Alam is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and the American Society of Addiction Medicine. He has won several awards and has been featured extensively on radio and television.
