Advice for genetic testing to help fi... - CHADD's ADHD Pare...

CHADD's ADHD Parents Together

24,311 members6,377 posts

Advice for genetic testing to help find the right ADHD meds?

BlueStripedMama profile image
8 Replies

Hi! My 10 yo has ADHD and we have struggled to find a medication that works for her. I am interested in how the gene testing works from people who have done it. A few specific questions: 1) how did you actually do it? (e.g., where did you get the test, where did you send it, etc); 2) how much did it cost; and 3) are you glad you did it? Did it help with med choices and adjustments? Thanks so much for sharing your experience!

Written by
BlueStripedMama profile image
BlueStripedMama
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
8 Replies

I didnt even know there was such a thing!!

Mamamichl profile image
Mamamichl

hi! I have done it for 3 people in my family (partner. Me and my daughter). My partner was the first one. It was so beneficial for him we did me and daughter. My partner was having extreme side effects from the ones he was taking. He is on a med that usually wasn’t prescribed by the doc but that was the only one that had little side effects for his genetics.

As for the details. We just asked our pcp/main doc. They generally have the kits available and can do it on a regular appointment. It is basically like a paternity test. It swabs the inside of the cheek. It almost costed me $5,600 until insurance covered it. It won’t tell you which med will work for the ADHD, but it tells you what meds will affect your liver/system negatively. It will say which ones will have adverse reactions to the system and how extreme the reactions are, but it won’t say what reaction you will get. So far, the reactions were the ones on the list that is with the medication.

It helped us with what meds to try first, though I’m on a med with mild adverse reactions and I am totally fine with it possibly giving me higher blood pressure because I have low blood pressure otherwise. You just have to weigh the situation. It’s nice to be able to make an educated guess rather than randomly picking. Most people do go through an average of 4.5 meds to find the right one for them. I think I went through 6. My daughter has tried 1 but we did the gene sight because she started getting tics on that one. Definitely don’t be afraid of the ones with side effects though. For me, I tried the ones without side effects and they didn’t help my adhd. The one that does help for me is a non stimulant.

Hope this helps. Feel feee to pm me. I can send you a pic of what it looks like too. Zen hugs 🫂

BlueStripedMama profile image
BlueStripedMama in reply toMamamichl

Thank you so much for this insight -- it helps a lot to know where we might start and if you found it helpful!!

Mamamichl profile image
Mamamichl in reply toBlueStripedMama

It wasn’t as helpful for me, but it was great for my partner. What I like is it tests all mental health meds: anxiety, depression, psychosis, etc. I am trying to get my doctor to prescribe anxiety meds for my daughter, but she’s old school.

Aspen797 profile image
Aspen797

Our pediatrician ordered it. Genesight testing was not covered by our insurance—it costed about $300 out of pocket. It provided a lot of good info about medications that are most effective or to be avoided. It also provides info about your child’s ability to process nutrients and how quickly or slowly things pass through. With a bit more reading on each of these you get a lot more information that can help you keep your child healthy in the long run too.

BlueStripedMama profile image
BlueStripedMama in reply toAspen797

This is so helpful, thank you! And $300 is so much more manageable than other numbers I have heard...

YazzyN profile image
YazzyN

I was wondering the same thing for a while and I just found this site. I think I’m gonna try it for my daughter. clarityxdna.com/products/mi...

adoptivemom profile image
adoptivemom in reply toYazzyN

Ooh! That's definitely a reasonable price. I wonder if I can still go through my doctor for that one? I am so over the guinea pig medication attempts for my poor son!! Thanks for sharing!!

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

Genetic Testing for most effective ADHD Meds

Has anyone done genetic testing to see which ADHD med is best for your ADHD child? My son's doctor...
Cleo317 profile image

Genetic testing for right Meds?

Hello, Curious if anyone has gone down the route of doing genetic testing to see what meds work...
SurvivorFan profile image

How to find the right doctors?

We are struggling to find the right medical support for our 8 year old daughter. She had the full...

How to find an ADHD coach?

I read in someone else’s post that their teen has an ADHD coach so I’m curious how someone finds...
Irish94 profile image

CBD oil and ADHD.......want to get off meds, not sure how

Hello all, my 8 yr old was diagnosed with ADHD last year. I actually noticed it first and asked his...
bossladyk profile image

Moderation team

See all
JamiHIS profile image
JamiHISAdministrator
zlib profile image
zlibPartner

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.