1. < Heart & Blood Health

Genetic Testing

Posted by kallettla @kallettla, Jun 13 8:43am

I am throwing this out in case others might find this helpful. I took part in a study called All of Us. They did genetic testing. I just received mine and they not only tested for cancers, but also how I metabolize medications. The CYP2C9 gene influences how you metabolize drugs like Heart Medications like Warfarin, Mental Heslth Medications, and Pain and muscle medications (like Advil and Motrin). SLCO1B1 influences how medications used for treating HIGH CHOLESTEROL move through the body. I happen to be in the decreased function and should not take Atorvastin and Simvastatin. It also shows Rosuvastaton. It shows that I can take it, but I do get side effects, so I actually can not.

There are 20 other tests. It was done through Color.com.

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jc76 | @jc76 | Jun 13 4:38pm

@kallettla
Your post is excellent on the benefit of genetic testing.

I have not had it but my wife did. She was on a lot of medications and her genetic testing revealed she had metablolic issues with several of them. She was changed out on two of them. I take two medication that have really helped me with my PTSD/Anxiety/Panic disorder but her test showed she could not take it.

I am wondering after this excellent test was done for her why my PCP does not order for me. I take so many medications I have no idea of contradictions. Now I say that but I have a psychiatric medication specialist that has many times told me about interactions of my drugs I am taking and why she does this or that.

The biggest thing here like @kallettla has posted this is not looking at medications with other medications it is persona genetic testing revealing which medications have a contradiction and cannot take or adverse reaction.'

I think when I read so many talking about statin drugs like Astorstatin having such serious side affects while others have none or minor.
Thanks for posting this kallettla.

REPLY
1 reply
kallettla | @kallettla | Jun 13 6:55pm
In reply to @jc76 "@kallettla Your post is excellent on the benefit of genetic testing. I have not had it..." + (show)
@jc76

@kallettla
Your post is excellent on the benefit of genetic testing.

I have not had it but my wife did. She was on a lot of medications and her genetic testing revealed she had metablolic issues with several of them. She was changed out on two of them. I take two medication that have really helped me with my PTSD/Anxiety/Panic disorder but her test showed she could not take it.

I am wondering after this excellent test was done for her why my PCP does not order for me. I take so many medications I have no idea of contradictions. Now I say that but I have a psychiatric medication specialist that has many times told me about interactions of my drugs I am taking and why she does this or that.

The biggest thing here like @kallettla has posted this is not looking at medications with other medications it is persona genetic testing revealing which medications have a contradiction and cannot take or adverse reaction.'

I think when I read so many talking about statin drugs like Astorstatin having such serious side affects while others have none or minor.
Thanks for posting this kallettla.

Jump to this post

You are very welcome! I just think it is amazing. It's a new level of medicine. I have anxiety/panic disorder and they tried one of the drugs I can't take! The drug made my anxiety so much worse and I couldn't function at all. My sister had the same reaction. This was years ago, but when I had to get a copy of the Dr's notes, she declared me non compliant with medication. I couldn’t believe it. I don’t see her now, but I wish I could show her this genetic test!

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rashida | @rashida | Jun 14 6:07am

@kallettla where did you get this genetic testing done? I am in Canada and my doctor won’t prescribe this for me. Seems doctors here are not in favour of it for some reason …

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kallettla | @kallettla | Jun 14 8:15am

I got it done free through a research program called All of Us. They has the sequencing done through Color.com. The representative told me that it would have cost me $300 to do it on my own.

I think Dr's may be intimidated? My oncologist gave me the opposite explanation of a test result of what it actually is:/ He said the drug worked better, when it actually doesn't work and I have more of a chance of the cancer coming back. I just let it slide.

REPLY
1 reply
agb | @agb | Jun 26 7:11am
In reply to @kallettla "I got it done free through a research program called All of Us. They has the..." + (show)
@kallettla

I got it done free through a research program called All of Us. They has the sequencing done through Color.com. The representative told me that it would have cost me $300 to do it on my own.

I think Dr's may be intimidated? My oncologist gave me the opposite explanation of a test result of what it actually is:/ He said the drug worked better, when it actually doesn't work and I have more of a chance of the cancer coming back. I just let it slide.

Jump to this post

I'm also in the All of Us program (administered by NIH) and have my appointment to hear my results on July 7th. Now I'm really looking forward to seeing what I can learn about cholesterol drugs and my body's reaction!

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jc76 | @jc76 | Jun 26 11:34am

I have not had this genetic test but going to asked for it.

My wife though did have the test. It was ordered by her primary care doctor (Mayo) and it came back with a lot of excellent information of what she can take and what she was already taking.

Example, I take escitalopram (spell) for anxiety/depression but her genetic testing said her results showed she could not take this drug. She had many of the things she was changed after getting the genetic test done. We have traditional medicare and supplemental BCBS and did not pay anything for the test.

Now my wife and I have the same Mayo primary care doctor and he ordered this genetic test for her but not me. Hmmmm! Seems I need to have a discussion of what she got it and I did not as it seems very valuable tool.

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