Have you heard about genetic-testing to help choose the best ADHD medication for an individual?
Many readers have asked me about this. Sorry to say, we are not there yet.
These tests can be useful in limited ways. But they are often misinterpreted (including by physicians) in ways that threaten to deprive people of the ADHD medications likely to work best.
I recruited my scientist-husband (a PhD molecular biologist with decades of experience in genetics) to join me in educating the ADHD public—and medical professionals—on this issue. In clear language and concepts!
Hence this 7-part blog series: Genetic Testing for ADHD Medications: What Your Genes Might Tell You That Your Doctor Cannot
The Series:
1. Topic overview
2. See our testing results—and my husband’s initial reactions
3. Dive into the details of genotyping (what does the term even mean?)
4. Learn about “when and why” to pursue genotyping —the real-world value and usage
5. Consider the limits of genotyping
6. We put it all together with a closer look at our personal testing results and real-life application of the findings — beginning with Gina’s results…
7. …and continuing with Dr. Goat’s personal test results.
But Who is Dr. Goat, Gina? Our Story
In case you missed it, my husband has ADHD. Diagnosed in 1999. He is also a molecular biologist with an emphasis in genetics. His former girlfriend is a neurosurgeon. But who connected his lifelong “issues” with ADHD? Yeah, this journalist. I …
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Written by
Gina Pera
Genetic Testing for ADHD Medications: Overview
People often ask me, “Gina, what’s the best medication for ADHD?” No one wants to hear the answer: “It depends.” These days, they also ask me about genetic testing for ADHD medications. That is, DNA tests to help identify the best …
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Written by
Gina Pera
Gina & Dr. Goat Share Our ADHD Genetic Test Results
In this post, we share our own results from genetic testing for ADHD medications. We hope this helps make the information a little more concrete, less abstract. My husband, Dr. Goat, and I share many values, interests, tastes, and preferences. Still, …
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Written by
Gina Pera
What Is Genetic Testing for ADHD Medications? — Pt. 3
“Gene-testing said that my daughter cannot take stimulants for her ADHD.” A reader sent that to me in 2015. As a result, the girl was taking only Strattera, at a “maxed-out dose,” and not experiencing a significant decrease in ADHD symptoms. …
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Written by
Gina Pera
ADHD Rx Pharmacokinetics & Pharmacodynamics — Pt. 4
Part 4 in a 7-part series on genetic testing for ADHD medications—from ADHD expert Gina Pera and her scientist husband, Dr. Goat
One factor to consider when aiming for that sweet spot of medication effectiveness: your specific gene variants that affect drug response.
That is, do your gene variants mean that you metabolize drugs slowly, normally, or very fast?
That’s where genetic tests can come in handy: They identify these gene variants—that is, variations on a common gene.
In turn, this information helps you to:
1. Determine what dosage you should start with, and
2. Decide the order in which medications should be evaluated.
This information can be especially valuable if you are
—Beginning drug treatment for ADHD,
—Considering changing to a different drug, or
—Introducing an additional drug to your regimen.
Note: Information from these tests will not be a “silver bullet.” It is simply a starting point. The last post in this series will examine how I might use my personal results.
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Written by
Gina Pera
ADHD Medication Gene-Testing Benefits and Limits — Pt. 5
What are the benefits and limitations when it comes to using ADHD gene-testing to guide medication? That’s the topic of post 5 in this series: Genetic Testing for ADHD Medications. Throughout this 7-part series, we explain all the factors involved—defining terminology, …
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Written by
Gina Pera
Gina’s Genetic-Testing for ADHD Medications Results — Pt. 6
Let’s take a closer look at Gina’s results—from genetic tests claimed to guide ADHD medication decisions. This 7-part series began with a single post in mind. Hey, we said, let’s get gene-tested for ADHD medications-response! We can share the results with …
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Written by
Gina Pera
Dr. Goat’s ADHD Genetic Test Results—Closer Look
Welcome to the final post in this series on genetic testing to guide ADHD medications. My husband, Dr. Goat, and I greatly appreciate your enthusiastic response. We based this series on testing that is is no longer available. But the currently …
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Written by
Gina Pera
