[Jolisse]

I know this has been mentioned before, but I can't seem to find the thread.
I'm going to have DNA testing done, to see what psychotropic will most likely work for me. I've been reading about this and it seems to have positive reviews. I'm looking for any information from people who had this done.
Please share your experiences............Thanks

[ChangingMyMind]

Hi jolisse, do you know what company is doing the testing? I have had testing done but I am not sure if these are the same.

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[Jolisse]

Yes it's Assure RX, info can be found at genesight.com.

[emptyspace]

It did not really help me.
It does not cover side effects, so even though many drugs were "green" in my profile, I still had side effects.
I am even on a medication that is "red" in my profile.

My pdoc said it is a guide, that's about it..

[ChangingMyMind]

Ok, yeah I had it done. It's $4000 if your insurance doesn't cover it.

It didn't help me at all. I had side effects on all the meds I tried. It didn't help with that at all. I found I only have 2 antidepressants in the green zone. Tried them both. Many side effects on both. I tried my yellow section, all of those had the worst side effects. Finally I tried the reds and again many side effects.

I was on one in the red for 11 years and it had many side effects as well but they were the most tolerable.

My reds said serum levels likely took low may need higher dose but I did well on lower doses.

Not worth the money in my opinion but if it's free it can be a place to start. At least you can see how you metabolize the meds.

Good luck!

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[lilypup]

Too bad it is so pricey and doesn't work better. Sounds like a good idea. In 20 years probably will be the norm and work well.

[ChangingMyMind]

Originally Posted by lilypup

Too bad it is so pricey and doesn't work better. Sounds like a good idea. In 20 years probably will be the norm and work well.

Yes, hopefully we get to that point! Hopefully we get to a point where drugs are either not the main type of treatment or the drugs have less side effects and are more effective.

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[shamon86]

I just had mine done. I haven't gotten the bill yet, although according to my pdoc they have financial aid programs in the company so that if you make under a certain amount of money a year, you supposedly only pay $20 or something like that. I got the results, but it didn't change my medications. In fact, my anti depressant I take now showed up in the yellow. And from what I understand, the test doesn't tell you what will work best for you or what won't have any side affects, it tells you what your body is able to metabolize the best so you have a better chance of feeling better.

[Jolisse]

Can anyone tell me what lab they used?

[gloamingone]

I had it done a year ago. It might have been helpful, but medicaid doesn't cover any of the meds I should be on, so it didn't really make a difference.

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[Altered Moment]

GeneSight Psychotropic Test: Find the Right Medication

Genes Analyzed

Pharmacokinetic Genes Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6), 2C19 (CYP2C19), 2C9 (CYP2C9), 3A4 (CYP3A4), 2B6 (CYP2B6), 1A2 (CYP1A2) and Serotonin Transporter and Receptor Pharmacodynamic Genes SLC6A4 and HTR2A.

These are mostly genes that code for liver enzymes that can tell them what active metabolites a drug will produce. That may help with predicting side effects. The problem is they don't have a good understanding of what those active metabolites do once in the brain.

They do test for some brain receptors but again the mechanism is not really known for how an anti depressants works if it does work. Probably those receptors are involved but who knows how.

A great step in the right direction but still a long way to go. If available I would have it done but I wouldn't pay out of pocket for it.

[Jolisse]

Thanks Zinco, Genesight (AssureRx) is not covered under my insurance, I was hoping there was another lab doing this testing.

[ChangingMyMind]

Originally Posted by Jolisse

Thanks Zinco, Genesight (AssureRx) is not covered under my insurance, I was hoping there was another lab doing this testing.

Genesight is not covered under my insurance either but Genesight has a financial program that can help. From what I understand it's based on income. My pdoc said most people she sees pay about $100 for the testing. I did it and never paid a dime. Didn't even get a bill. Not sure if I should worry about that or not, but I'm not, which is good cause I got enough to worry about! LOL

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[Jolisse]

I don't qualify for the financial program.

[Altered Moment]

I believe there is at least one other company doing it.

My pdoc told me that my clinic wanted to make it a part of their practice but I doubt it.

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[venusss]

Originally Posted by lilypup

Too bad it is so pricey and doesn't work better. Sounds like a good idea. In 20 years probably will be the norm and work well.

I am afraid we will be saying this in twenty years.

[Perna]

Originally Posted by Jolisse

Thanks Zinco, Genesight (AssureRx) is not covered under my insurance, I was hoping there was another lab doing this testing.

I'd work from the other end, call and talk to your insurance company and see who/what/if they cover?

[Altered Moment]

Originally Posted by venusss

I am afraid we will be saying this in twenty years.

I guarantee in twenty years there will have been major break throughs in this area.

Not testing for current AD's but this area in general.

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[Altered Moment]

http://www.northwestern.edu/newscent...in-adults.html

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[venusss]

Originally Posted by zinco14532323

I guarantee in twenty years there will have been major break throughs in this area.

Not testing for current AD's but this area in general.

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Not if we keep obsessing with SC!ENCE! of the depression and totally ignore all the other aspect.

Which seems to be the trend.

[Altered Moment]

Read the article above. The DNA of a gene makes RNA which makes a protein. If the gene is whacked the protein is whacked. They studied CBT and it proved CBT changed those RNA markers. Therapy changed the biology. So it is both.

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[venusss]

I read it. Not so convinced 32 people and 18 weeks? And it seems to only determine that depressed people are.... depressed.

I remember there was big WOW about soem test for schizophrenia few years ago. Pricey test that claimed it be all sciency. Was pulled off market since.

[Altered Moment]

It's a small piece of a very big puzzle that got a lot of media.

Just like the genetically modified serotonin mice that got all the media. You seemed convinced by that. One small study that has yet to be replicated.

DNA was discoverd in the 70's. In 1995 when I took freshman/sophomore core biology translation of RNA and transcription of proteins was taught and very well understood. I can't imagine what they teach in freshman biology today. Probably how to modify genes. The field is advancing by light years. You can have your whole individual genome mapped for 100 bucks today. Unheard if 15 years ago.

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[Altered Moment]

Nowadays everything gets patented. People patent words. Every modified gene gets patented. People would patent their bowel movements if they could. If some venture capitalist investor comes along and thinks he can make some money on some test he will try even if it is useless. That might be the case with the test we are talking about in this thread.

Every good experiment or study opens up many more questions than it answers. That's how science works. Over time some things become facts that have been proven over and over again and no one can argue with. RNA to protein transcription is a fact for example. they know exactly how it works.

[Altered Moment]

Here is another separate study.
Blood Test for Depression? | Psych Central News

Because they understand proteins and cell receptors, (which are proteins, protein is a term that covers thousands and thousands of molecules) so well now, they have methods of delivering a chemo drug straight to the cancer tumor and only the tumor. Chemotherapy has always flooded the whole body with the drugs and that is why people's hair falls out and all the other horrible side effects. By delivering the drugs just to the tumor you eliminate all those side effects. Huge advance and only because they understand cell receptors so well.