What Is GeneSight®? The Genetic Test That Helps Personalize Your Mental Healthcare

Genetics plays a major role in many aspects of life – from your risk of certain diseases to how you respond to medications. Today, we use genetic testing for various health needs, including mental health medications.

At Pacific Phoenix Psychiatry & TMS, Dr. Elia R. Gonzalez-Rodriguez provides GeneSight® testing to her patients for medication management. She’s an experienced psychiatrist offering treatments for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and OCD.

What is GeneSight testing?

The GeneSight test is a genetic pharmacology test that helps us determine how you will react to certain mental health medications. It takes your genetic makeup into account to cut out the trial-and-error process of choosing a mental health medication.

We use GeneSight testing, along with our expertise and your clinical evaluation, to determine which medications are right for your needs. The test helps us understand how your body may respond to certain medications, so we don't give you something that won’t work for your genetics.

How GeneSight testing works

GeneSight testing is simple, noninvasive, and involves only a cheek swab. We swab the inside of one cheek and send the swab to a specialized lab for specific tests.

The results come to us in a stoplight format – meaning medications are categorized as red, yellow, or green. The green medications mean use as directed, and there is no contraindication for use with your genetics.

Yellow medications mean proceed with caution; it doesn’t mean they won’t work for you, but there’s a higher risk of side effects or it not working for you.

Red medications mean there’s a significant genetic-medication reaction. These medications likely won’t work for your needs and may cause significant side effects or reactions.

Is GeneSight testing right for me?

If you’re living with depression, anxiety, PTSD, or OCD and would like medication to control symptoms, GeneSight testing is an excellent idea. However, it isn’t a stand-alone way to determine what medication is best for your needs.

You may also want to consider GeneSight testing if you’ve tried mental health medications in the past and they haven’t worked for you. It’s also a great tool if your current medication isn’t giving you the results you want or if you’re experiencing unwanted side effects.

Benefits of GeneSight testing

We offer GeneSight testing because of its many benefits for mental health patients. The most significant benefit is not having to trial and error multiple medications to find the one that works best for you.

The test gives us a ballpark of medications that respond well with your genetics — meaning you should have little to no side effects and find that your symptoms improve greatly with regular use.

It’s an excellent tool that takes the guesswork out of prescribing mental health medications and improves outcomes for various mental health conditions. Don’t hesitate to call us today or request a consultation on our website to discuss GeneSight testing.

We are dedicated to supporting you on your path to renewed mental wellness and proudly serve the greater Portland area, including Salmon Creek, Vancouver, and Steilacoom-Lakewood, Washington.