Tests Offered

Pharmacogenetic testing is a scientific approach to understand your genetic make-up that helps your doctor predict what medications will work best for you and the proper dose of those medicines. Your genetic information allows your physician to determine the best match between you and your medication. 

Genes are fragments of DNA that are inherited from your parents.  Genes provide general instructions  to your body telling it  how it should  work and how you look.

Some genes affect the way that medicines work in each person’s body.  Different people have different genes.  Very small variations in genes, called gene variants, can affect how the body functions.  Some of these specific gene variants can affect how people react to medicine.

1.  Some gene variants may make it harder for the body to get rid of some medicines.  This means that the usual doses of these medicines could give some people unexpected side effects.

2.  Some gene variants can cause the body to use up some types of medicine too fast.  This means that normal doses won’t work as well and the person with these gene variants may need higher doses for the medicine to work.

3.  Some gene variants will not let certain medicines work in the body at all.  This means that a different medicine may work better.

A pharmacogenetic test done by MDL may improve the chances that the medicine chosen by your doctor will help you as intended.  The test may lower the chance of severe side effects caused by the medicine.  A pharmacogenetic test only needs to be done once in a lifetime, because your genetic make-up does not change.  The gene tested today may be important for medicines that you need in the future. 

Your genetic make-up is only one of many factors that can affect how you react to medicine.  A few examples of other factors are your age, weight, other medicines that you are taking, your diet, and illnesses.  Your doctor will need to consider these factors along with the pharmacogenetic test results. 

Also, the test only measures common gene differences.  This means that if the test does not find any of the common gene differences, you may still have one or more of the rare gene differences that may affect how you react to medicine.

In the future, some of these gene variants that were found in a pharmacogenetic test may be found to be associated with other medical conditions.  The test results may be important for other family members.  Biologic brothers, sisters, and other relatives may have one or more of the same tested genes in common.

MDL offers scientifically valid and clinical relevant diagnostic tests to the healthcare community. All testing is performed using validated and well-established protocols under strict guidelines and quality controls based on CLIA (Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act 1988) and CAP (College of American Pathologists).

Author

  • Olivia Williams

    Olivia Williams is a medical writer with a passion for both photography and pets. With a background in medicine and a keen eye for detail, Jane has a unique perspective on health and wellness that she brings to her writing. Whether she's crafting informative articles for medical journals or capturing stunning images of animals, Jane's work is always thoughtful and engaging. In her free time, you can find her cuddling with her furry friends or snapping photos of nature's beauty.