How GeneSight Testing Helps Personalize Your Mental Health Treatment

When it comes to mental health care, there’s no such thing as “one-size-fits-all.” Each person’s body and brain are unique, which means the way we respond to medications can vary greatly. That’s where GeneSight® testing comes in. It’s a valuable tool we use at Bay Psychiatry of Wisconsin to help guide individualized treatment decisions.

What Is GeneSight® Testing?

GeneSight® is a simple, painless genetic test (usually a cheek swab) that analyzes how your DNA may affect your body’s response to certain medications commonly used to treat depression, anxiety, ADHD, and other mental health conditions.

The results provide insights into how your body metabolizes medications, helping your provider identify which treatments are more likely to be effective and which may cause unwanted side effects.

Why GeneSight® Matters

For many patients, finding the right medication can feel like trial and error. GeneSight® testing helps take the guesswork out of the process by identifying potential mismatches before you even start a medication.

This can lead to: • Faster symptom relief • Fewer side effects • Improved adherence and treatment satisfaction • Reduced frustration and emotional exhaustion from multiple failed trials.

The MTHFR Gene and Mental Health

One important part of the GeneSight panel looks at whether you carry a variant in the MTHFR gene. MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) helps your body convert folate (vitamin B9) into its active form, L-methylfolate, which is crucial for producing neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.

If someone has an MTHFR variant, their body may struggle to activate folate efficiently, which can affect mood regulation and medication response. Identifying this variant allows your provider to: • Adjust treatment plans accordingly • Consider L-methylfolate supplementation • Optimize your body’s ability to respond to antidepressants

What the Process Looks Like

1. Simple Collection: A quick cheek swab done in the office or at home.

2. Lab Analysis: The sample is sent to GeneSight® for analysis.

3. Personalized Report: Results return within a few days and categorize medications into color-coded groups (green = use as directed, yellow = use with caution, red = significant gene-drug interaction).

4. Collaborative Review: Your provider reviews the report with you and discusses next steps, integrating the results with your clinical history, symptoms, and goals.

Evidence-Based and Patient-Centered

GeneSight® testing is backed by extensive clinical research showing improved outcomes for patients whose treatment is guided by genetic insights. While it doesn’t replace clinical judgment, it provides a valuable layer of information to help your provider tailor your care.

A Step Toward More Personalized Psychiatry

At Bay Psychiatry of Wisconsin, we believe that mental health care should be as unique as the person receiving it. GeneSight testing helps us provide evidence-based, compassionate, and individualized care that supports your journey toward wellness.

If you’ve struggled to find the right medication or want to learn more about GeneSight testing, reach out today. Together, we can find a treatment plan that truly fits you.

Serving patients 5 years and up in Green Bay, De Pere, Sturgeon Bay, Egg Harbor, Sister Bay, Oshkosh, Wausau, Eau Claire, and Madison, in person and through telehealth.

GeneSight® is a registered trademark of Myriad Genetics, Inc.