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Genetic testing for ADHD is a relatively new approach to treating ADHD. Unlike most genetic testing completed to discover a person's propensity for a disease or disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder genetic tests are used to discover which ADHD meds might work best for an individual.
Not all individuals with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder require or want to take medication. However, for those that do, it is often a lengthy trial-and-error process to discover which ADHD medication works best.
Currently, genetic testing to detect the presence or potential for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder does not exist. However, there does seem to be a correlation between childhood ADHD and parents with the condition or ADHD-related traits.
Most children are diagnosed in early childhood or elementary school and begin taking ADHD medication. Genetic testing for ADHD can help parents avoid months and sometimes years of taking the wrong ADHD medication.
If you have questions about genetic testing for ADHD medication, what it entails, its costs, and the pros and cons, this article provides answers. In addition, it aims to relay important information about ADHD medications to help you decide what works for you.
Only a physician or mental health professional can provide an ADHD diagnosis. However, if you suspect you or your child have ADHD, below are the most common ADHD symptoms.
ADHD Symptoms
Common ADHD symptoms in children and adults include:
- Makes careless mistakes
- Inattention to details
- Struggles to focus on activities or play
- Seems not to listen when directly spoken to
- Fails to follow through on instructions, schoolwork, or chores
- Has difficulty organizing tasks and activities
- Avoids, dislikes, or is reluctant to participate in tasks requiring sustained mental effort
- Loses things
- Easily distracted
- Forgetful in daily activities
- Easily feel overwhelmed
- Behind in social skills compared to peers
- Frequently interrupts or blurts things out
- Trouble sleeping
What is Genetic Testing?
Genetic research has boomed over the past few decades. You may be familiar with genetic testing from your or someone you know's pregnancy or if your family is at genetic risk for specific disorders or diseases. Psychiatric genetics is already used to help treat various psychiatric disorders and ensure patients are on the right medication.
Psychiatric disorders that also use genetic testing include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
There are different types of genetic testing that look for various genetic variations, but when it is used to treat ADHD, it looks at how the person's body metabolizes a drug.
Understanding how your body interacts with different types of drugs helps doctors find the right ADHD medication or combination of medications.
Not only can genetic testing indicate which ADHD medication might work best, but it allows doctors to look for possible reactions and adjust dosages. For example, your child may be on the right ADHD medication but needs the dosage adjusted up or down.
Genetic testing for ADHD is non-invasive and can be done via a simple blood test or swab test.
The swab test uses a mouth saliva sample and looks at genetic findings related to four different genes. A blood test uses a blood sample and is sent to a lab for a similar analysis.
How Much Of ADHD is Genetic?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is known to run in families, and there seems to be a genetic correlation; however, the exact cause of the condition is unknown. Scientists believe that ADHD is caused by a combination of environmental factors and a person's genes.
One of the biggest reasons scientists believe there is a high genetic correlation is that children with ADHD are nine times more likely to have a sibling with ADHD than those without the condition. Likewise, in families where adult ADHD is present, 40% of those parents have a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
However, it is important to note that even though there seems to be a significant genetic component to ADHD, other factors are believed to be at play. Namely, brain structure and chemistry. Research show that those who present with ADHD symptoms have smaller brains and brains that mature more slowly. It is also widely believed that an ADHD brain has a faulty dopamine transporter. The dopamine transporter could explain the lack of motivation, trouble concentrating, mood, attention, and memory.
Adult ADHD is becoming more prevalent. The DSM-5 didn't universally recognize ADD and ADHD until the 1980s, and many adults in their 30s and 40s are just discovering they have one of these conditions. Adults may not be aware the struggles they've faced in everyday life are ADHD symptoms or that their child may be at genetic risk for the condition.
The good news is ADHD treatment is easy to find, and many people are able to treat ADHD through behavioral therapy and ADHD medication.
ADHD Medication and Genetic Testing
Unlike other types of genetic testing, ADHD testing isn't looking for genetic variations that indicate a person's risk for the condition. Instead, after a person has received an ADHD diagnosis, it uses genetic factors to discover the right ADHD medication.
Common Side Effects of ADHD Medications
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Trouble sleeping
- Irritability
- Nausea
Benefits
- It can determine if certain ADHD medications are better for you than others.
- It can help doctors decide if your ADHD medication dosage needs to be adjusted.
- It can limit side effects and help doctors avoid ADHD medications that would cause an individual intense side effects.
- It is non-evasive
- It can help doctors avoid harmful interactions with other medications you're taking.
- It avoids the trial and error of trying several different medications
Drawbacks
- It is not considered an accepted practice yet in treating ADHD
- While not harmful, pharmaceutical genetic testing is not as advanced as molecular genetics, and there is much to learn
- Genetic testing for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is not always covered by insurance.
- Genetic testing for ADHD medications is a new field and not widely available.
What to Look for in a Genetic Test
Genetic testing for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is fairly new, so many ADHD patients and parents aren't sure what to look for in a test. If this is your first time hearing about genetic testing for ADHD meds, you're not alone! Whether you're considering genetic testing to treat adult ADHD or childhood ADHD, there are a few things you should look for in a test.
- Consider the type of test. There are blood tests and swab tests. School-age children may respond better to a mouth swab than a needle.
- The cost of the genetic test and whether or not your insurance covers some or all of the cost.
- Where the genetic testing takes place? Do you have to travel, or can you use a home kit?
- If you are using a home test, keep in mind that environmental factors and other factors like user error could alter the test results.
- There is currently no genetic test that can tell if someone has ADHD. Testing for ADHD is being researched, but avoid tests claiming they can identify ADHD or an ADHD risk.
- Some options are a comprehensive test and test for drugs used to treat other psychiatric disorders. Instead, look for a test that focuses on ADHD medications.
Cost of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Genetic Testing
The cost of genetic testing for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder varies and will depend on whether or not your insurance covers some or all of the cost. Genetic testing for ADHD medications can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. However, the cost is not indicative of quality.
Many home kits provide the same level of results as their more expensive counterparts. However, if your insurance is willing to cover some of the costs of genetic testing, the cost will probably be higher.
Insurance Coverage
Before starting an ADHD medication, check with your insurance to see if you have coverage for testing. Some insurances cover ADHD medication testing as a preventative service and may cover it at 100%.
You will also want to check with your insurance to see which ADHD medications are covered. Unfortunately, not all ADHD medications are covered by insurance companies, and they can be expensive without coverage.
Your goal is to find an ADHD medication that treats your ADHD symptoms and is affordable!
Takeaway
According to the CDC, approximately six million children have Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and deal with its symptoms as part of their everyday life. Many children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder also have other psychiatric disorders like anxiety, depression, behavioral problems, or autism spectrum disorder. Attempting to discover which ADHD medication works best is often a lengthy and cumbersome process.
Treating ADHD presents a myriad of challenges, and while there are other ADHD treatment options available, 62% of children take medication to treat their ADHD symptoms.
The ability to detect genetically which ADHD medication will work best for a person is a new way to treat ADHD and can benefit doctors and patients alike. While testing for ADHD medication compatibility is often costly, when covered or affordable, it is an excellent way to streamline your ADHD treatment plan.
About
Dr. Carrie Jackson, PhD
