GeneSight® Testing in Winston-Salem, NC
Pharmacogenomic Testing to Help Inform Psychiatric Medication Decisions
Restoring Wellness Solutions offers GeneSight testing as part of psychiatric care at our Winston-Salem practice. Our psychiatric nurse practitioner has longstanding experience using GeneSight to provide additional information that may be useful when evaluating psychiatric medications.
GeneSight is a pharmacogenomic test. It analyzes genetic information related to certain medications and provides a report for a prescribing clinician to interpret alongside your symptoms, health history, previous medication experiences, other medications, and other clinical factors.
GeneSight testing does not choose a medication for you or predict with certainty which medication will work. Instead, pharmacogenomic information can add another piece of individualized information to psychiatric medication decisions.
GeneSight Testing at Restoring Wellness Solutions
Amy L. Main, MSN, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC, is our board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She provides psychiatric evaluations, medication management, and ongoing psychiatric care at Restoring Wellness Solutions.
GeneSight testing can complement this broader approach to medication care. Rather than making medication decisions from a genetic report alone, we consider GeneSight results within the context of your clinical history, current symptoms, previous treatments, medication experiences, and other factors relevant to your care.
Our goal is to give patients and their prescribing clinician useful information to support thoughtful, individualized medication decisions.
What Is GeneSight Pharmacogenomic Testing?
Pharmacogenomics examines how genetic differences may affect the way the body processes or responds to certain medications.
The GeneSight Psychotropic test analyzes multiple genes and reports identified gene-drug interactions for certain mental health medications. Depending on the medication and genetic finding, pharmacogenomic information may be relevant to medication metabolism, dosing considerations, or other prescribing decisions.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes that genetic makeup is only one of many factors that may affect medication concentrations and response. Pharmacogenomic information does not provide all of the information needed to prescribe a medication safely and effectively.
What GeneSight Results Can and Cannot Tell You
A GeneSight report may identify genetic factors that could be relevant when your psychiatric provider is evaluating certain medications.
Clinical pharmacogenomic guidance also exists for selected psychiatric medications. For example, the Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium provides genotype-based prescribing recommendations for certain serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants.
GeneSight testing has important limitations. It does not:
- Diagnose a mental health condition
- Guarantee that a particular medication will work
- Determine a single “best” medication for an individual patient
- Provide information about medication allergies
- Identify drug-drug interactions
- Replace a psychiatric evaluation or ongoing medication management
Patients should not start, stop, change, or adjust psychiatric medications based on genetic testing without guidance from their prescribing clinician.
How GeneSight Fits Into Psychiatric Medication Management
Our psychiatric medication management in Winston-Salem includes medication review, ongoing monitoring, adjustments when clinically appropriate, and patient education. Restoring Wellness Solutions offers both in-person and virtual medication-management appointments.
GeneSight testing may provide another source of information for medication discussions. Your psychiatric provider still considers your current symptoms, diagnoses, medication history, previous benefits or side effects, physical health, other medications, and individual treatment needs.
Patients who need a broader assessment can also learn about our psychiatric evaluations in Winston-Salem. These evaluations review medical and mental health history, previous treatments and medications, current symptoms, and other factors that may inform an individualized treatment plan.
How GeneSight Testing Works
GeneSight uses a DNA sample collected with a swab from the inside of the cheek. The sample is then sent to the GeneSight laboratory for analysis.
GeneSight states that the ordering healthcare provider typically receives results about three days after its laboratory receives the sample.
These are GeneSight’s general testing procedures. Restoring Wellness Solutions can explain how sample collection and result review are arranged for patients receiving GeneSight testing through our practice.
GeneSight Testing Cost and Insurance
The cost of the GeneSight laboratory test can vary based on insurance coverage and individual circumstances.
GeneSight provides information about insurance billing, self-pay costs, financial assistance, payment options, and a patient cost estimator. Because laboratory coverage and patient responsibility vary, patients should review current GeneSight cost information for their individual situation.
Coverage for a Restoring Wellness Solutions psychiatric appointment and coverage for the GeneSight laboratory test are separate considerations.
Accessing GeneSight Testing in Winston-Salem
Restoring Wellness Solutions provides psychiatric care in Winston-Salem and serves patients throughout the Triad.
Restoring Wellness Solutions
1411 Old Mill Circle Winston-Salem, NC 27103
Phone
336-800-3955
Office Hours
Monday through Thursday: 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. Friday: 9 A.M. to 3 P.M.
Patients can call our office or submit our online consultation form to ask about GeneSight testing, psychiatric medication management, or psychiatric evaluations.
Frequently Asked Questions About GeneSight Testing
Call Restoring Wellness Solutions at 336-800-3955 or submit our online consultation form and mention your interest in GeneSight testing. Our office can explain the current appointment and testing process.
Ask About GeneSight Testing in Winston-Salem
Medical Disclaimer
Scientific Resources
U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Table of Pharmacogenetic Associations
FDA information about documented gene-drug associations and the role pharmacogenetic information may play alongside other clinical factors in prescribing decisions.
FDA Table of Pharmacogenetic Associations
Clinical Pharmacogenetics Implementation Consortium: Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Antidepressant Guideline
Clinical guidance addressing pharmacogenomic considerations for selected serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants.
CPIC Guideline for Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor Antidepressants
GeneSight: GeneSight Psychotropic Test
Manufacturer information describing GeneSight Psychotropic, report limitations, DNA collection, laboratory processing, and general result timing.
GeneSight Psychotropic Test Information
GeneSight: Cost and Insurance Information
Manufacturer information about laboratory billing, insurance, self-pay costs, cost estimation, financial assistance, and payment options.
GeneSight Cost and Insurance Information