what is genesight testing?

GeneSight testing looks at how your genes may affect the way your body processes certain psychiatric medications. It may help providers make more informed medication decisions, especially for people who have had side effects or difficulty finding medications that work well.

Studies suggest GeneSight testing can:
1. Help reduce the “trial-and-error” involved in medication treatment
2. Help identify medications that may be harder for your body to process 
3. Help providers choose medications with fewer gene-related concerns 
4. Help improve response or remission rates for some patients

GeneSight can provide helpful information, but it does not give a definitive answer about which medication is “right” for someone. Mental health experts agree it should be used together with clinical evaluation — not by itself.

When might GeneSight be helpful?
GeneSight may be helpful for people who feel nervous about trying medications because of concerns about side effects, “trial and error,” or whether a medication will work for them. Using GeneSight may help some patients feel more comfortable starting treatment.

It may also be helpful for people who have had unusual reactions to medications, such as feeling more anxious, restless, or “activated” on an antidepressant, or becoming overly sleepy on a very low dose of medication. These reactions may sometimes relate to how the body processes medications.

GeneSight can also be considered when medications have not worked well so far. This includes people who have tried two or more medications without enough improvement, continued to have symptoms despite taking medications as prescribed, or experienced only partial benefit from treatment. In these situations, the test may help guide next-step medication choices.

What GeneSight can and cannot do
GeneSight may help identify medications that could be harder for your body to process or may carry a higher risk of side effects. It can provide information about medication metabolism and limited information about how certain medications may affect the body.

However, GeneSight cannot guarantee which medication will work best or predict exactly how effective a medication will be. It also does not replace your provider’s clinical judgment or your personal treatment history.

Your provider will still consider your symptoms, diagnosis, prior medication responses, side effects, and other medical or mental health conditions when making treatment decisions.

Overall, GeneSight is best viewed as one helpful tool that may provide additional information to guide treatment decisions, especially for people with difficult-to-treat depression or medication side effects, rather than a test that gives a single “right answer.”

 “I referred one of my clients to Johnny and I want to let you know how happy I was to hear that my client finally felt heard and treated appropriately. This has been a long road for him attempting to find relief and although we don't know what the future holds, and Johnny was clear they will likely make adjustments as time goes, the client was happy that he was heard. “