Has anyone ever had their genes tested? What about your children? Has a doctor ever recommended that you or a family member be tested for genetic mutations, deletions, or duplications?
It seems that this is the direction where we are headed as a society... Trying to understand behavior and health conditions with genetic testing.
Thoughts? Experiences?
We have behavior issues with our adopted son. Finally, at 12, did genetic testing. Found out his body can't convert folate to methylfolate. That's a big deal. So when the brain was developing, the neurotransmitters weren't getting what they needed. Wish I would have done it sooner.
Yes, we have done MTHFR testing - highly worth it. Similar issues with folate as mentioned below. I have one snp and my husband has the other, and our son has one copy of each.
Mainstream physicians tend to associate MTHFR snps with high homocysteine and/or clotting issues and miscarriage. Some alternative practitioners (and perhaps mainstream too though I'm not sure) believe that one point on the gene can be linked to anxiety disorders.
Like Elaine I wish we had known about it sooner.
I am 54 and yes I have been tested for genetic mutations. I have a copy of both genes; and so does my adopted daughter. Both of us deal with anxiety and depression, She had severe mood swings as a little girl-how much was related to the loss of living with her birth mother is yet to be determined. There is no clear cut answer to any of the genetic issues but am happy to answer/reply to your questions and or concerns in reference to that.
My mom, a two time cancer survivor, was tested for Lynch Syndrome due to a long family line of certain types of cancer. This was recommended by my gynecologist and primary doctor. If she had the mutation, then there was a 50% chance I would, too, and a 50% chance my kids, and so on. Luckily, she did not have this particular mutation. However, the Lynch test was only for the known mutations- They are discovering new mutations all the time.
It was a relief, and I was thinking I was probably of the woods, until this week when I had my first colonoscopy (10 years ahead of the recommended age). The doctor found two large precancerous polyps. So, while genetic testing helps, it's only one factor in the equation. Family history should always be considered. If I had of waited until 50 for my first screening, I would be in big trouble!
My grandson had genetic testing done.... he has a tremor, and with his other challenges (global developmental delay, Sensory Processing Disorder), they wanted to make sure there wasn't a genetic basis for these conditions.
There were a couple of minor things they noted (I don't remember what), but nothing that would account for his conditions. They were looking for something more like Fragile X syndrome or something like that.
He is 7, and was 3 or 4 when it was done.
My brother (now 66) had it done probably 8 (?) years ago... he was having early memory issues, and they found the MTHFR issue. The doctor put him on some specific vitamin supplements to counteract the lack of B vitamin processing, but it didn't really help. He has had some major cognitive issues already, and had to take an early retirement.
When I was pregnant the first time, before deciding if i wanted amnio to test for a bleeding disorder, i spoek to a geneticist. He wanted to test my mom to see if he found a mutation (no family history)and then he could test for what gene. We did not bother since it would not have changed anything. When I was pregnant with my son a few years ago, we could have tested to see if he had the bleeding disorder or have cvs (csv?) done to test since the u/s showed higher nucal fold. If we went genetic testing route, my older son would have had to be tested first to see where it lies before we could test the baby. Chose csv for downs syndrome instead. Luckily my son does not have downs but does have the bleeding disorder. They tested him as soon as he was born.
