Where can I get mail order genetic testing?
June 26, 2012 12:26 AM Subscribe
Where can I get genetic testing done for drug metabolism, either in Australia or by international mail order? My doctor wants to know my genotype for a handful of cytochrome P450 enzymes. Tests like this aren't common practice here, so he's not quite sure where to send me. Can you recommend an affordable testing provider?
(Curious as I am about my genome, I would prefer not to use a service like 23andMe that tests for multiple genetic risk factors -- primarily because under Australian law, I'd be required to divulge the results should I need life insurance in the future.)
(Curious as I am about my genome, I would prefer not to use a service like 23andMe that tests for multiple genetic risk factors -- primarily because under Australian law, I'd be required to divulge the results should I need life insurance in the future.)
Tamoxifen / Clopidogrel / Warfarin metabolism & sensitivity? Most of the big labs (e.g. Sullivan Nicolaides, Healthscope, etc) do VKORC1/CYP2D6/CYP2C9/CYP2C19 tests. Unfortunately, no Medicare rebate, and private cover will depend heavily on your level of insurance.
posted by Pinback at 1:28 AM on June 26, 2012
posted by Pinback at 1:28 AM on June 26, 2012
You or your doctor can contact your local private pathology provider - Douglass Hanly Moir or Symbion or Healthscope or whoever's normally on the top of the blood test form you get. It doesn't really matter who you contact - if only one lab in the country does it, whoever you go to to get your blood taken will be able to send the specimens there. From my experience, if your doctor calls he might be able to get better information than you. Pathologists have worked their entire life to avoid talking to patients.
(NB: I work for a Sonic Healthcare pathology subcorp - I see results from specimens that have been sent to another state for testing on occasion. These are big, well-networked companies that should be able to finagle something.)
posted by chiquitita at 2:36 AM on June 26, 2012
(NB: I work for a Sonic Healthcare pathology subcorp - I see results from specimens that have been sent to another state for testing on occasion. These are big, well-networked companies that should be able to finagle something.)
posted by chiquitita at 2:36 AM on June 26, 2012
Response by poster: Thanks everyone. I'm surprised my doctor didn't suggest one of the big pathology labs, since he's sent other tests away to them. Is genetic testing prohibitively expensive in Australia, I wonder? As Pinback mentioned, there's no Medicare rebate so I'll be paying out of pocket. I'll call some local labs tomorrow, but I'm still interested in hearing about mail order services in case there turns out to be a big price difference.
posted by embrangled at 3:59 AM on June 26, 2012
posted by embrangled at 3:59 AM on June 26, 2012
My housemate just had some genetic testing done via RPA hospital in Sydney. The tests themselves were sent to London and results took around a month (I think she was quoted 2-3) to return. I will ask her what the costs involved were. If I don't get back to you soon, prod me via MeMail.
posted by Trivia Newton John at 4:36 AM on June 26, 2012
posted by Trivia Newton John at 4:36 AM on June 26, 2012
Update: Costs between $800 - $1000 were covered by a hospital grant, so I'm not sure how helpful that is to you.
posted by Trivia Newton John at 4:53 AM on June 26, 2012
posted by Trivia Newton John at 4:53 AM on June 26, 2012
If your doctor wants to know for your doctor's own reasons, get her to apply for a grant through a university hospital. RPA and RNSH both will do it under the right conditions.
posted by taff at 5:52 AM on June 26, 2012
posted by taff at 5:52 AM on June 26, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by taff at 1:14 AM on June 26, 2012