Depression – Genetic Testing

Transcript

Some patients who take medications may find that no medication is working for them or that they are extremely sensitive to side effects even at very, very low doses of the medicine. If that is the case, you might want to discuss with your doctor the possibility of genetic testing. This is a new area that is still being explored, but what we call pharmacogenetics: The way that a person’s genetic profile might affect the way they metabolize or process and medication can be significant in some individuals. While this is not usually pursued as a first line or a first step in treatment, it may be something to ask your doctor about if you are in that situation.