Genetic testing for ADHD and Anxiety?

[MA_CHADD_Dad]

Does anyone have experience with getting genetic testing for their child to help with diagnosis and medication management? I'm just learning this is available and I'm trying to do some research on what tests might actually provide useful information. Thanks!

[BLC89]

Hello,I've heard of genetic testing for medication and that can be hugely helpful for all sorts of medications not just ADHD. But there is no test to help with diagnosis of or determining if there is ADHD, just how well certain types of medications will interact with your chemistry.

BLC

Full disclosure: I am an ADHD Parent Coach. I have been married to ADHD for nearly 30 years and raised two kids who have ADHD.

[Pmommyof5]

Yes,

We paid 499 for the complete genetic testing. It a broad testing it tells what what medications might not work based on what receptors are present or not but it still leaves unclear what medications work best it just shows what medications can be a risk because the metabolism burns it quicker. Many doctors don’t fully know how to understand it or read it but I would rather know than not know.

[LAJ12345]

I have tested my husband who has Parkinson’s and it has been helpful in knowing what foods and drugs to avoid, and what supplements could help, plus to understand side effects he suffers from medications.

However be aware of insurance complications as once you have gene analysis you know what they are susceptible to which might mean insurance company demands the information and might load the premiums if there is increased risk.

[Mamamichl]

my partner had the genetic testing for ADHD and basically they take a swab of cheek skin and saliva (not painful, and similar to paternal testing). They then mix it in with each of the meds that can be used to see what benefits and side effects your genetics have with the med. I think it was called a gene site test?

they told my partner that he would have bad side effects with all but 2 of the meds (he tried one of the bad ones before and got super aggressive). He took one of the meds that did well with his genetics, and he hasn’t had to change anything with his meds since! It’s been like a breath of fresh air not to play the guessing game, at least for him.

[Blueeyeview]

Thanks for posting this question because we are in the process of getting this done and it’s helpful to hear what others say. Our pediatrician recommended the test. Insurance first rejected it stating that we need to need with a third party genetic counselor first. I’m scheduling that appointment today.

[AlltheLegos]

We’re in the process of genetic testing for other reasons. Be cautious about what info you want to receive back. Our genetic counselor said if you receive information about what conditions/illnesses they might be genetically predisposed to (eg cardiac issues, cancer, etc), it can affect their ability to get life insurance as an adult. The protections in place for medical insurance do not exist for life insurance.

[MA_CHADD_Dad]

Thanks for all of the replies. It seems as some of you said that the science or at least medical practice (AAP recommends against it as of 4 years ago) is not quite there with this type of testing, but that the additional info can still be helpful.

Any recommendations on which specific brand of test you would recommend?

For anyone else who is also interested in the science I found these articles to be interesting:

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

publications.aap.org/pediat...

frontiersin.org/articles/10...

Thanks!

[Lanego]

We did the genesight test after about a year of trying different meds for ADHD. It cost about $350 after insurance.This test just looks at medications only and not predisposition for illnesses. It was helpful, in the sense that we could be a bit more confident in our medication choices and know which meds we should avoid in the future.

[Fish1fish]

Gene-Sight here as well. Its been fairly accurate regarding compatible drugs.

[randomscreenname]

also did GeneSight and found it an accurate reflection of past experience with meds (also learned about the MTHFR variation), so have been using it to guide prescription choices ever since.

[Littleme2000 in reply to randomscreenname]

I did the Genomind and found it to be a huge help for my son. Also found MTHF which was very helpful to know, so switched vitamins from those containing folic acid to methyl folate. Also cut out most enriched products, as they contain folic acid. Found the right stimulant without having to go through years of trial and error or upping the dosage unnecessarily. Also validated Atomoxetine was not a fit for him, which was apparent when he took it for a week. Good luck 🙏

[Cjkchamp]

We used GeneSight. I was excited, but the psychiatrist at the time said they really only used it to see how my son metabolized. Then one of his recommended medications was a big flop.

[Jalapenochips]

We have Medi-cal at Kaiser and they said they don't do those tests. We have definitely suffered through 4-5 medications over the last 6 years and still don't have the right medication. I'm willing to pay but Genesight specifically says you have to go through a physician. How or where else can I get this testing done?

[evamophead]

My daughter's doctor suggested testing her before prescribing a medication for anxiety, which we did, apparently there are enough studies out there on anti depressants (SSRIs), that there is les guess work involved.

[Knitting20projects]

I’ve heard it’s not quite as useful as people have hoped—yet. Definitely following, because I would love to fast forward to the right med(s) for our daughter with autism, ADHD, anxiety, intellectual disability, who can’t verbalize her symptoms well and can’t swallow pills yet. At least I could avoid the torture that is trial and error with her. And she has no insight to make much progress with behavioral therapy yet, or ever.