What Is GeneSight Testing?
GeneSight is a pharmacogenomic test -- a fancy way of saying it looks at your DNA to see how your body processes psychiatric medications. Different people break down the same drug at different speeds. That is why one person does great on Zoloft and another person gets nothing but side effects. GeneSight takes the guesswork out of prescribing.
The test covers medications used for depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and more. It does not diagnose conditions -- it helps your provider pick the right medication faster.
How It Works
It is a simple cheek swab done at our office. No blood draw. Takes about 30 seconds. The sample goes to the GeneSight lab and results come back in about a week. Your provider reviews the results with you and uses them to guide medication decisions.
The results show three categories for each medication: use as directed (green), moderate gene-drug interaction (yellow), and significant gene-drug interaction (red). Medications in the red category are more likely to cause side effects or not work well for you specifically.
Who Should Consider GeneSight
GeneSight is most useful if you have tried two or more psychiatric medications that either did not work or caused bad side effects. If you are starting medication for the first time, your provider may recommend it upfront to avoid the trial-and-error process entirely. It is also helpful if you have a family history of poor responses to medication.
Insurance and Payment
GeneSight is covered by most major insurance plans including Medicare. Out-of-pocket costs for commercially insured patients are typically $330 or less. Financial assistance is available for patients who qualify. We can check your coverage before ordering the test.
What Happens After the Test
Once your results are in, your provider walks through them with you. If you are already on a medication that falls in the red category, we discuss alternatives. If you are starting fresh, we use the results to pick a medication that your body is most likely to respond well to. It is one of the most useful tools in psychiatry for reducing wasted time and unnecessary side effects.