Genetic Counseling - Test, Procedure & Cost

Genetic counseling provides information about how genetic conditions might affect our families and us.

What is Genetic Counseling

Genetic Counseling tells us about genetic changes or gene mistakes that cause genetic changes. It helps in understanding more about an inherited condition and its causes. Hereditary conditions can be inherited from one parent or both parents.

Some genetic disorders can be - Cystic Fibrosis, hemophilia, muscular dystrophy, fragile X syndrome, and neural tube defects.

Genetic counseling helps to make people understand genetic diseases, discuss the treatment of illness and explain the advantages and disadvantages of genetic tests.

It will help to increase the knowledge and helps to reduce anxiety among the patients, and maintain positive health behavior.

What is Genetic Testing

If you have a genetic condition, you can consult your doctor, who will recommend genetic testing.

This test will help you know the increasing chance of disorder in your children.

Genetic testing provides us with a better prognosis and medical treatment availabilities.

Genetic Tests

Genetic tests check the changes in the gene of a person. It fits the changes in the amount, function, and structure of the critical proteins coded by the specific genes.

Negative or abnormal test results increase the occurrence of a disease.

Types of genetic tests are:

• Screening test
• Carrier test
• Diagnostic test
• Forensic test

Prenatal Testing

Pregnancy checkups, scans, screening, and testing are available to check a baby's health during pregnancy.

If there is an increase in the risk of chromosomal conditions such as Down Syndrome, then further tests are recommended, such as amniocentesis.

How is genetic testing done?

It can be done on the blood samples or the (spit)saliva.

And in pregnant women, it can be done on the amniotic fluid

How will you know you need Genetic counseling?

You may need genetic counseling for the following reasons-

• If you have any genetic condition.
• If you are pregnant and your pregnancy test shows an abnormality in the health of your child.
• If you have a family history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or bowel cancer.
• If you have any family genetic disorder.

What you can expect in a Genetic Counselling Session

•  Finding out the availability of the tests.
• Learning about the specific conditions.
• Discussing family conditions.
• Learning about genetic tests.

Genetic counselor

The genetic counselor will provide counseling to your family.The counselor discusses the merits and demerits of genetic testing with the patient.