What is Medication Genetic Testing?
Have you tried multiple psychiatric medications but are still struggling with lingering symptoms or difficult side effects? You are not alone, and there may be a medical explanation. A genetic mismatch between your body and your medications could be contributing to your treatment challenges.
At My Mental Health Matters Psychiatric Services, we offer evidence-based genetic testing through GeneSight®, a trusted leader in psychiatric pharmacogenomics. Our goal is to eliminate the trial-and-error approach to medication by using your DNA to guide personalized treatment decisions, all from the comfort of your own home. No in-office visit required.
What Is Genetic Testing for Medications?
Medication genetic testing, also called pharmacogenomic testing, analyzes specific genes that influence how your body processes and responds to psychiatric medications. The GeneSight® test examines key genetic markers, especially in enzymes like Cytochrome P450, which are responsible for metabolizing about 70% of all medications.
These genetic variations can affect how quickly or slowly your body processes medications, which in turn impacts drug effectiveness and side effect risk. With this knowledge, we can make informed decisions about which medications are more likely to work well for you, and which may pose problems.
Why Should I Get Tested?
1. Personalized Treatment Approach
Your genetic makeup is unique so your psychiatric care should be, too. Genetic testing helps identify how your body is likely to respond to specific medications, so we can select treatments that are more likely to be effective for you. This increases your chances of symptom relief and reduces the frustration of failed medication trials.
2. Minimize Side Effects
Many psychiatric side effects occur because of how medications are metabolized. Genetic testing allows us to predict which medications you may tolerate better, helping avoid unwanted reactions such as sedation, agitation, weight gain, or gastrointestinal issues.
3. Evidence-Based and Scientifically Proven
GeneSight® testing is backed by peer-reviewed research and clinical studies and is used by thousands of healthcare providers nationwide. This is not experimental; it is a clinically validated, FDA-registered tool that supports precision medicine in psychiatry.
4. Convenient and Home-Based
We understand how important privacy and comfort are. That is why our genetic testing process is 100% remote. No need to come into the office. The test kit is mailed directly to you, and our team guides you every step of the way.
5. Trusted Expertise
Our experienced psychiatric providers are trained in interpreting GeneSight® test results and translating them into customized treatment plans tailored specifically to your symptoms, history, and goals.
What Can I Expect from the Process?
The genetic testing process is simple, non-invasive, and typically completed in just a few weeks:
Step 1: Initial Consultation: Your journey begins with a virtual psychiatric consultation, where we review your symptoms, treatment history, and current challenges. If indicated, we will recommend genetic testing.
Step 2: Test Kit Mailed to Your Home: If your provider orders the GeneSight® test, a home DNA collection kit will be shipped directly to you. No in-person visit is necessary.
Step 3: Easy DNA Collection: Using the enclosed cotton swabs, you’ll gently swab the inside of your cheek. It is quick, painless, and takes only a minute.
Step 4: Mail It Back: Place your sample into the prepaid envelope and send it to the GeneSight® laboratory for analysis.
Step 5: Fast Results: Once your sample is received, GeneSight typically provides results within two business days.
Step 6: Personalized Review and Plan: At your next telehealth appointment, your provider will go over the results with you in detail. You will receive a clear explanation of how your genetics may impact medication metabolism, side effects, and overall treatment outcomes. We then use this information to adjust your current medications or explore more suitable options based on your profile.
Take the Guesswork Out of Medication Management
If you are tired of trying multiple medications without relief, or if you want to optimize your treatment from the start, genetic testing can provide powerful answers. Let us help you take a more informed, personalized approach to your mental health.
Contact My Mental Health Matters Psychiatric Services today to learn more about genetic testing and take the first step toward more effective, evidence-based care, right from your home.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is medication genetic testing?
Medication genetic testing, also known as pharmacogenomic testing, helps determine how your body may respond to certain psychiatric medications based on your DNA. The GeneSight® Psychotropic test evaluates multiple genetic markers to predict how you may metabolize or react to medications commonly used to treat depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other conditions. This can reduce the trial-and-error process of finding the right medication and may also identify which medications could cause side effects or require dose adjustments. The test also factors in your smoking status, which can affect how you process certain medications.
What do you use for genetic testing?
We use the GeneSight® Psychotropic test, a clinically validated pharmacogenomic tool that analyzes your genetic makeup to help guide medication selection and dosing. It looks at how your genes may influence your response to medications for mental health conditions and helps your provider make more informed treatment decisions.
Who will benefit from this testing?
You may benefit from GeneSight testing if you:
- Have had little or no improvement from past medications
- Are experiencing side effects with your current medication
- Want to better understand which medications may work best for you
- Are beginning psychiatric treatment and want to avoid unnecessary medication trials
How does genetic testing work?
- Provider Orders the Test: If your provider determines it’s appropriate, a GeneSight home collection kit will be mailed directly to your home.
- Collect Your DNA Sample: Use the included cotton swabs to gently swab the inside of your cheek, quick, painless, and easy.
- Send It Back: Place the sample in the prepaid FedEx envelope and send it to the GeneSight lab for analysis.
- Results Are Processed: Once received, results are typically available within two business days.
- Review With Your Provider: At your next appointment, your provider will go over the results and discuss what medications may be most effective and well-tolerated based on your genetics.
What genes are tested with GeneSight?
The GeneSight Psychotropic test analyzes two main categories of genes:
- Pharmacokinetic genes, which influence how your body breaks down medications (e.g., CYP2D6, CYP2C19)
- Pharmacodynamic genes, which affect how your body responds to medications (e.g., SLC6A4, HTR2A)
These insights help create a personalized medication plan based on your unique biology.
What’s in the home kit?
Each GeneSight home testing kit includes:
- Two cotton-tipped swabs
- DNA sample envelope
- Patient consent form
- Insurance and financial information forms
- Prepaid return FedEx envelope
How much does it cost?
- 98% of patients pay $330 or less
- $0 out-of-pocket is typical for patients with Medicare Part B or Medicaid
- GeneSight offers financial assistance and interest-free payment plans. If your cost could be more than $330, you’ll be contacted before processing the test so you can choose whether to proceed. Please visit their website for more information: https://genesight.com/cost/