How a 30 Second Genetic Test Can Help Identify the Right Medication for You
One commonality that people considering starting antidepressants have is not wanting to start medication for fear of side effects. We have patients tell us “They’ll make me gain weight or have sexual side effects”. If you share this fear, we have a solution for you.
These days, we are able to use pharmacogenetic testing and actually test our genes BEFORE starting an antidepressant. How cool is that! We can actually predict which medication may cause side effects, avoid them all together, and instead be presented with clear options about which medication which may help us overcome depression, anxiety, OCD, and/or ADHD but without the unwanted side effects!
MindTree uses Tempus pharmacogenetic testing to test your genes (using a swab of saliva) and easily tell you which antidepressant would be the most effective and least bothersome to your body. You don’t even need to leave your house! You’ll get a kit in the mail and all you need to do is quickly swab your mouth and send the sample back to the lab.
Some of the benefits of genetic testing include
Showing how you metabolize certain medications
Your risks of developing side effects
Individuals that received pharmacogenetic testing with antidepressant treatment were 41% more likely to achieve depressive symptom remission.
It’s almost 2023- the days are over where we have to blindly choose a medication to treat our anxiety and/or depression, wait weeks for it to kick in, only to discover annoying side effects. Ready to schedule a new appointment for testing? Click here.
