FAq

Genetic screening uses proven laboratory methods to examine your genes, which are the DNA instructions you inherit from your mother and your father. Genetic screenings may be used to identify increased risks of health problems, to assist the selection of treatments, and/or to assess responses to treatments.

Pharmacogenomics is the relationship between a patient’s unique genetic makeup and their response to certain medications. Genetic mutations can cause either higher or lower rates of metabolism for known drugs. According to the FDA, each year, approximately 4.5 million Americans visit their doctors or the emergency room due to adverse drug reactions.

PGX screening provides a comprehensive report based on an individual patient’s genetic makeup that will indicate metabolic rates for defined medications. This information will help clinicians prescribe the right drug at the right dose based on the given patient’s DNA profile.

DNA HEALTH SERVICES partner laboratories using the latest techniques available and high-throughput DNA sequencing technology to analyze patient samples in an expedient and precise approach. All genetic scientists at our partner labs are highly trained, handle testing with the utmost care, and are always available for in-depth consultations. Our pharmacogenomics reports are easy to read and understand and provide you with clinically significant data based on the most recent medical innovations.

We are delighted to offer our testing services to anyone who may require them. Just what is pharmacogenomic testing? In essence, it involves taking a sample of the patient’s DNA, and using such sample to analyze how their body will respond to certain medical treatments, such as cardiology, pain relief, and psychiatric medications.

For instance, patients with particular genetic mutations may experience a higher or lower metabolism while taking certain drugs. Our pharmacogenomics testing checks for a large number of different conditions, as well as accurately predicting the risks of the patient developing additional conditions such as thrombophilia or dyslipidemia.

We take great care when handling patient samples, and they are tested by top scientists at our highly advanced laboratory partners’ medical facilities. Once the results are in, they are compiled into an in-depth yet easily understandable report, so that you have access to all the information you need. 

Medicines can sometimes influence each other inside the body, producing an increased effect, extra side effects, or decreased effectiveness of one or more of the drugs. This is called a drug interaction. Drug interactions happen when two or more medicines react with each other to cause unwanted effects. This kind of interaction can also cause one medicine to not work as well or even make one medicine stronger than it should be. For example, you should not take aspirin if you are taking a certain prescription blood thinner, unless your health care professional tells you to.

It is important to know about your medicines to avoid possible problems. As you get older you may be faced with more health conditions that you need to treat on a regular basis. It is important to be aware that more use of medicines and normal body changes caused by aging can increase the chance of unwanted or maybe even harmful drug interactions.

The more you know about your medicines and the more you talk with your health care professionals, the easier it is to avoid problems with medicines.

As you age, body changes can affect the way medicines are absorbed and used. For example, changes in the digestive system can affect how fast medicines enter the bloodstream. Changes in body weight can influence the amount of medicine you need to take and how long it stays in your body. The circulation system may slow down, which can affect how fast drugs get to the liver and kidneys. The liver and kidneys also may work more slowly affecting the way a drug breaks down and is removed from the body.

When you take prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications, do you take also a vitamin, mineral, or other dietary supplements? Have you considered whether there is any danger in mixing medications and dietary supplements? There could be.

Consequently, combining dietary supplements and medications could have dangerous and even life-threatening effects.

Find out if the medications you are currently taking are right for you!

Do you accept my insurance?

Medicare, Medicaid, and many PPO plans can cover up to 100% the cost for CGx and PGx screening depending upon your personal or family history of cancer or the amount/types of medications you are taking today.  You are responsible for all co-pays and deductibles, and for amounts that may not be covered by your insurance.

Do I need a referral?

In most cases, you do not need a pre-authorization or referral.  Contact us to find out if your insurance covers these screenings.

The typical turnaround time for results to be released is approximately 4 to 6 weeks once your DNA genetic sample is received by the laboratory.  However, please keep in mind that it may take up to 8-10 weeks from the date you submitted your sample for your results to arrive.  Sample processing times are estimates only that vary depending upon the test(s) ordered, overall demand, laboratory volume and the maintenance of our quality control standards.