Pharmacogenetic Testing Specialist
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Alliance Behavioral Psychiatry
Outpatient Psychiatric Mental Health Clinic located in Near University Mall, Orem, UT & Lehi, UT
Pharmacogenetic testing can point your psychiatric prescriber in the direction of a medication that will work well for you. At Alliance Behavioral Psychiatry in Orem and Lehi, Utah, our providers can help you access pharmacogenetic testing to guide treatment for treatment-resistant depression and other disorders. To learn more about pharmacogenetic testing, call Alliance Behavioral Psychiatry.
Pharmacogenetic Testing Q&A
What is pharmacogenetic testing?
Pharmacogenetic testing is a service that studies how you’ll react to certain medications based on your genes. Your genes affect your body’s response to various medications, and that includes psychiatric medications for various mood disorders and other mental health conditions. Pharmacogenetic tesing can help identify medications that may be less likely to cause adverse side effects and more likely to be effective. Information from pharmacogenetic testing is also used to develop new drugs and treatments for mental and behavioral health conditions.
Who should consider pharmacogenetic testing?
Pharmacogenetic testing can benefit nearly anyone who takes medications for a psychiatric disorder. Your providers at Alliance Behavioral Psychiatry can help you complete pharmacogenetic testing through GeneSight to identify appropriate and effective medications for:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Depression
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Generalized anxiety disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Panic disorder
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Bipolar disorder
The service is particularly accurate in identifying medications for managing treatment-resistant depression and other mood disorders. Your provider can prescribe antidepressants, antipsychotic medications, mood stabilizers, and others based on their findings.
How does pharmacogenetic testing work?
Your body has 20,000 to 25,000 genes, which determine how you look, your health risks, and other aspects of your being. Pharmacogenetic testing focuses on identifying a medication’s:
Pharmacokinetic effects
Pharmacokinetic effects include how your body metabolizes the medication. Certain genetic enzymes control the metabolic processes. If you metabolize the medication too quickly, you may not experience its effects; too slowly, and you might experience side effects or toxicity.
Pharmacodynamic effects
A medication’s pharmacodynamic effects can be analyzed by reviewing a small sample of specific genes and looking for certain genetic mutations. Your provider weighs the results of this analysis against your medical history and current symptoms while choosing a medication.
What can I expect from the pharmacogenetic testing process?
Alliance Behavioral Psychiatry works with GeneSight to offer pharmacogenetic testing to established patients. GeneSight is a separate, independent company and is not affiliated with Alliance Behavioral Psychiatry. If you and your provider decide testing may be helpful, our office will collect a cheek swab sample and your provider will complete the required information based on your medications and treatment history. The sample and required information are then sent to GeneSight for processing. GeneSight processes the test and handles all test-related billing directly. Any questions regarding the processing of your test or billing should be directed to GeneSight. Once testing is complete, the results are sent to your provider at Alliance Behavioral Psychiatry to review and discuss with you, including how they may help guide your treatment and medication options.