This blog is written by a small business owner.  The message is presented only as part of gathered information from different DNA Testing facilities and hopefully put into language that everyone can understand.  If you have any health concerns, you should contact your primary care physician.  If you are interested in a private DNA collection to determine your predisposition to certain genetic diseases and/or your drug sensitivity you can contact the DNA Lady for assistance in obtaining a non-invasive DNA Test.

Personalized Medicine (PM) has a long way to go until we are all enjoying the benefits but as with all advancement in medicine, the sooner the better.  The writer of this blog remembers the painful visits to the dentists yet only one generation later, children who's parents had a minimum knowledge fo dental hygiene enjoyed virtually pain free visits to the dentists because of a better understanding of fluoride and gum disease.  Had I been born yet 10 - 15 years later, I would not have such a fear and dislike of dentists and the screeching sound of their drills.   Still, I think dentists can learn a little about a patient, and offer anxiety reducing assistance and/or just give us the gas.   (Didn't some Swedish study indicate those of us with red hear (real red hair that is) actually have a lower threshold for pain and thus higher tolerance for pain management?)  

Personalized Medicine (PM), or the use of your own DNA to minimize risk of adverse drug reactions is but a few short years away from every day practice.  PM, takes your unique DNA make-up and lets your healthcare provider know the best dose and drug for you - based on your DNA - not on the big, pharmaceutical company's idea of a dosage and use.  Doctor's have to engage the assistanceof either a DNA Testing company and/or a good genetic counselor to handle this portion of the medical treatment.  If you know a genetic counselor, get friendly with them as they about to be in high demand.  Medicine is not one size fits all anymore.  My height, weight, age, other medical conditions, family history, ancestral make-up and current  environmental factors all have an influence on the outcome of my response to a drug - so why not consider one more very important factor in my make-up - my DNA.  The unique set of building blocks that run my engine. 

Did you know if you are prescribed, clopidogrel - commonly presribed after heart attacks - that  your DNA can determine the dosage and time frame for your prescription.  In fact, as of March 2010, the FDA had added a warning to advise physicians of the importance of genetics and the availability of DNA Tests to best determine usage, dosage and timeline of treatment using clopidogrel (commonly known as Plavix). 

Similar DNA testing can be used to indicate your best dosage of antidepressants, breast cancer drugs, chemotheraphy drugs, ADHD and blood thinners.  Your private DNA test can determine if you are a Poor Metabolizer, meaning you have a greatly reduced ability to clear or metabolize certain drugs.  Intermediate Metabolizer indicates you have minimal ability to clear or metabolize drugs and finally an Ultra Metabolizer indicates you have an increased ability to clear or activate a drug.  Before you (or perhaps your child or parent) take their next Paxil, nsaid, tamoxifen - ask the prescribing physician - does he or she know about your CYP2C9 or CYP2D6 or CYPSC19?

As with anything new, not widely used, not part of a media blitz - there will always be resistance and ignorance.  Today's patient, has to be their own best advocate and be armed with questions about the doctor's advice in order to have the best outcome.  If you experience any long term use of a drug, that does not appear to be bring out about positive effects, talk to your doctor about getting a Private DNA Test to determine if you are a Poor or Ultrametabolizer.  Share some of the burden of your healthcare, no one doctor has the answers to all your health related issues.