Genetic DNA Testing - For many years this form of testing has been associated with finding your ancestry.
It can determine your ethnical traits and actually look back hundreds of years.
It is especially effective when others in your family tree have also performed this testing as it confirms or denies their origins along with yours.
Over the last several years Genetic DNA Testing has taken on a new name: Pharmacogentics Testing (PGX).
It's the study or science of how ones genes play a role in metabolizing medications.
Simply put this type of test can predict how your body will use up (metabolize) medications that are processed through the liver.
Further, it can predict with a high level of accuracy how a certain liver-processed medication will interact with other medications already in the system.
Testing for both types of DNA tests are performed in a similar fashion.
That is, both tests use a type of swab where DNA is extracted from the saliva or from the inside of the cheek.
Ancestral DNA looks at the entire genome structure to determine your origins while PGX testing is concerned primarily with the P450 enzyme group.
This group of 6 enzymes is responsible for approximately 90% of all medications that are metabolized through the liver.
Because ancestral DNA testing is so extensive, it takes 6 to 8 weeks for the results and is very costly to obtain.
And, it is not something that would be covered by insurance.
However, PGX testing is covered by many insurance carriers and 100% covered by Medicare.
While it is a thorough DNA test, it is limited by nature.
Results can be obtained in three to four days.
Genetic DNA Testing is now Pharmacogenetics Testing For this type of testing you must request it from your physician.
In the future you may be able to perform the test yourself, but currently that is not the case.
Approximately 34 states are considering legislation to allow this sort of testing at home.
PGX testing has been found to be extremely beneficial with individuals who are:

• Using pain medications
• Under the care of a cardiologist and taking medications
• Planning surgery
• Having blood issues
• Under the care and taking medications from a Psychiatrist
• Are taking any form of cancer drugs

In addition it has been found that the more medications an individual takes, the more likely they are to have an adverse drug reaction.
In fact, if a person takes 11 or more drugs, that person has a 96% chance of having a reaction.
Last year over 2 million people were reportedly hospitalized and of those over 105,650 died all due to Adverse Drug Reactions.
It truly is a catastrophic issue that can be solved with a simple Pharmacogenetic, DNA test.
Consider asking your doctor for a DNA test on your next visit.
It just very well may save your life.