Genesight DNA testing for med recommendation

tydygy · Jul 10, 2016 at 01:52 PM

I have had a Genesight Psychotropic DNA test done. I was hopeful as I knew I wasn't on the right meds.

The results came back and the results for the different categories of meds indicated that I was likely to experience adverse effects from some of the meds I was taking. So my doc switched some meds (not all at once though).

I found it to be helpful but I have heard mixed reviews from docs and NPs.

I'm a believer at this point that it is at least another tool that can at least tell you what to avoid if not what's optimal.

Even if you've not had experience with Genesight testing, do you think it is helpful or junk science?
Would you want to have the test?

leomama · Jul 10, 2016 at 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tydygy

I have had a Genesight Psychotropic DNA test done. I was hopeful as I knew I wasn't on the right meds.

The results came back and the results for the different categories of meds indicated that I was likely to experience adverse effects from some of the meds I was taking. So my doc switched some meds (not all at once though).

I found it to be helpful but I have heard mixed reviews from docs and NPs.

I'm a believer at this point that it is at least another tool that can at least tell you what to avoid if not what's optimal.

Even if you've not had experience with Genesight testing, do you think it is helpful or junk science?

Would you want to have the test?

How much is it ?

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tydygy · Jul 10, 2016 at 02:33 PM

I found an article that was dated 10/2014 that stated the test was $3800. I'll check and see if I have anything that tells me different.

My insurance covered the cost of the test completely....so far....I mean I signed a paper that said if insurance wouldn't I would pay. I was assured it would be covered though.

leomama · Jul 10, 2016 at 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tydygy

I found an article that was dated 10/2014 that stated the test was $3800. I'll check and see if I have anything that tells me different.

My insurance covered the cost of the test completely....so far....I mean I signed a paper that said if insurance wouldn't I would pay. I was assured it would be covered though.

That's expensive

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BipolarMama31 · Jul 10, 2016 at 03:55 PM

I got it done on friday. Waiting for results. Insurance covered the whole thing.

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M3233 · Jul 10, 2016 at 08:44 PM

I've had it done. My pdoc told me that they will charge insurance several thousand dollars, but got a grant that allows them to not make you pay more than a few hundred dollars out of pocket. I'm with you in that I think it can help prescribers hit the mark more often, but obviously can't take all factors that might effect how the medication works for you into account (at least at this point in time). I found it super interesting.

SarahD1983 · Jul 11, 2016 at 10:32 AM

Hi All -

Full disclosure here - I work for Assurex Health, the company that markets GeneSight. I wanted to share a little info that will hopefully help answer the questions about cost.

GeneSight is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and a variety of private insurance companies. If your insurance provider does not currently cover GeneSight, we offer a financial assistance program to help offset the cost of the test for our patients. It is need based, so your maximum out of pocket cost will depend on your total household income but is typically $330 or less. We also offer a 12 month, interest-free payment plan.

To learn more about the financial assistance program or the interest-free plan, you can always contact our customer support team at 866.757.9204 from 8 am to 8 pm EST or visit genesight.com.

HALLIEBETH87 · Jul 12, 2016 at 06:47 AM

My insurance covered it but if it had t it would have only cost me $20.

Moogieotter · Jul 12, 2016 at 09:38 AM

What do the results look like? Can someone share theirs? Thanks!

moogs

tydygy · 11:39 AM

I can't share my test results because I don't have a scanner hooked up...I found this link:
https://genesight.com/wp-content/upl...nformation.pdf

There is an example of what it looks like...three columns with the titles: "Use as Directed", Moderate Gene-Drug Interaction" and "Significant Gene-Drug Interaction."

I have a nine page test result printout where there is a separate page for: Antidepressants, Anxiolytics and Hypnotics, Antipsychotics, Mood Stabilizers and some very deep info about what I'm sure bio-engieneers can understand.

I was taking Paxil and when my test came back it was in the Significant Gene-Drug Interaction section. We switched me to Prozac (on the Use As Directed column) and I started losing weight and being less depressed.

The test indicated Saphris would be a Moderate Gene-Drug Interaction section for APs so I switched to Latuda (again on Use As Directed column). That was helpful but I ended up switching to Vraylar which came out after my test was done.

PsychNitrous · Jul 12, 2016 at 11:32 AM

I want to have this test done. I haven't had much luck with meds so far and I just want to try something that should help. How hard was it to find a doc who did the test? I haven't yet started checking with my pcp or pdoc.

88Butterfly88 · Jul 12, 2016 at 12:10 PM

Wow, never heard of this. I'm on Medicaid, I tend to doubt they would pay and I can't afford it myself. I have tried a lot of drugs and they seem to be working okay for me now so I don't think I'd need it right now but man would have it been helpful in the past.

tydygy · Jul 12, 2016 at 12:45 PM

My pdoc recommended the test.

I know someone else's insurance covered it and it's through the state (Healthnet Access I think) in AZ

My insurance covered mine and they require my pdoc staff to jump through hoops for almost everything non-generic Rx wise.

leomama · Jul 12, 2016 at 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SarahD1983

Hi All -

Full disclosure here - I work for Assurex Health, the company that markets GeneSight. I wanted to share a little info that will hopefully help answer the questions about cost.

GeneSight is covered by Medicare, Medicaid and a variety of private insurance companies. If your insurance provider does not currently cover GeneSight, we offer a financial assistance program to help offset the cost of the test for our patients. It is need based, so your maximum out of pocket cost will depend on your total household income but is typically $330 or less. We also offer a 12 month, interest-free payment plan.

To learn more about the financial assistance program or the interest-free plan, you can always contact our customer support team at 866.757.9204 from 8 am to 8 pm EST or visit genesight.com.

Ok thank you

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HALLIEBETH87 · Jul 12, 2016 at 09:20 PM

Also my genesight test discovered I only absorb half of folic acid intake and that I need to take a supplement!

AncientMelody · Jul 14, 2016 at 01:55 PM

It's a good test for checking metabolism of certain meds. But that's the key, it mainly checks how you'll metabolize things. It's a beneficial short cut but not a silver bullet.

It can predict if a medication would be ineffective to some degree (one of my patients could not break down venlafaxine to get the active desvenlafaxine) so we switched her from venlafaxine to desvenlafaxine directly. In that case it was helpful.

In another case, someone is so side effect sensitive that I'm going to be putting her on buspirone next month...buspirone is NOT in the ideal medication list, but every SSRI and SNRI she's had has caused significant side effects. The test suggests she may need a higher than usual dose of buspirone. It's not in her "ideal" medication list for her genetics. But all of the "ideal" meds have made her too sleepy, nauseated, etc. This test is not going to guarantee that the patient will be actually able to tolerate side effects.

I've tested 5 patients and it's benefitted 3. So reasonable success but not a guarantee

AncientMelody · Jul 14, 2016 at 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88Butterfly88

Wow, never heard of this. I'm on Medicaid, I tend to doubt they would pay and I can't afford it myself. I have tried a lot of drugs and they seem to be working okay for me now so I don't think I'd need it right now but man would have it been helpful in the past.

Medicaid does pay!

88Butterfly88 · Jul 14, 2016 at 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AncientMelody

Medicaid does pay!

Wow, thanks for the info!

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shamon86 · Jul 20, 2016 at 07:48 PM

I had this test done about a year ago. The results didn't change any of the meds I was taking, but did let my doc and I know what to stay away from. He also added a med as a result of that test. Regarding payment I had Aetna at the time and they did not cover ANY of it. But the company did have financial aid and after applying for it, I think I only paid about $20 or $30.

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nicoleb2 · Aug 03, 2016 at 01:49 AM

I would love for my psychiatrist to order this test for me. I've been on just about every psych med there is. At least 35-40 meds and different combos of meds.
Nothing ever works for very long

I'm at the not working stage again. It would be nice to know if its a gene thing that causes this

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tydygy Member Member Since Jun 2016 Location: Glendale, AZ, USA Posts: 69 8	Jul 10, 2016 at 02:33 PM #3 I found an article that was dated 10/2014 that stated the test was $3800. I'll check and see if I have anything that tells me different. My insurance covered the cost of the test completely....so far....I mean I signed a paper that said if insurance wouldn't I would pay. I was assured it would be covered though.
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BipolarMama31 Veteran Member Member Since Mar 2016 Location: North Carolina Posts: 535 8	Jul 10, 2016 at 03:55 PM #5 I got it done on friday. Waiting for results. Insurance covered the whole thing. Sent from my SM-N920V using Tapatalk
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HALLIEBETH87 Legendary Member Since Oct 2004 Location: usa Posts: 11,581 20 2,808 hugs given	Jul 12, 2016 at 06:47 AM #8 My insurance covered it but if it had t it would have only cost me $20. __________________ schizoaffective bipolar type PTSD generalized anxiety d/o haldol, prazosin, risperdal and prn klonopin and helpful cogentin
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PsychNitrous Poohbah Member Since Feb 2016 Location: At Home Posts: 1,398 8 106 hugs given	Jul 12, 2016 at 11:32 AM #11 I want to have this test done. I haven't had much luck with meds so far and I just want to try something that should help. How hard was it to find a doc who did the test? I haven't yet started checking with my pcp or pdoc.
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88Butterfly88 Moderator Community Support Team Member Since Dec 2015 Location: New Jersey Posts: 54,300 (SuperPoster!) 8 10.5k hugs given	Jul 12, 2016 at 12:10 PM #12 Wow, never heard of this. I'm on Medicaid, I tend to doubt they would pay and I can't afford it myself. I have tried a lot of drugs and they seem to be working okay for me now so I don't think I'd need it right now but man would have it been helpful in the past.
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tydygy Member Member Since Jun 2016 Location: Glendale, AZ, USA Posts: 69 8	Jul 12, 2016 at 12:45 PM #13 My pdoc recommended the test. I know someone else's insurance covered it and it's through the state (Healthnet Access I think) in AZ My insurance covered mine and they require my pdoc staff to jump through hoops for almost everything non-generic Rx wise.
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HALLIEBETH87 Legendary Member Since Oct 2004 Location: usa Posts: 11,581 20 2,808 hugs given	Jul 12, 2016 at 09:20 PM #15 Also my genesight test discovered I only absorb half of folic acid intake and that I need to take a supplement! __________________ schizoaffective bipolar type PTSD generalized anxiety d/o haldol, prazosin, risperdal and prn klonopin and helpful cogentin
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nicoleb2 Magnate Member Since Nov 2010 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,439 13 25 hugs given	Aug 03, 2016 at 01:49 AM #20 I would love for my psychiatrist to order this test for me. I've been on just about every psych med there is. At least 35-40 meds and different combos of meds. Nothing ever works for very long I'm at the not working stage again. It would be nice to know if its a gene thing that causes this
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