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• October 8, 2008 5:54 p.m.

  How do you find a reputable genetic testing service? I live in LA and I'm sure there are hundreds out there. Not looking for a bargain, but want to make sure of quality.

  - John

• October 8, 2008 4:44 p.m.

  i joined 23andme a few months ago. it has been quit informative about my genetics.my ancestry, and my genes and possible future. its expensive but the more people they have to compare the better info they can put out.

  - rondle

• October 8, 2008 2:32 p.m.

  Both of my children were adopted as infants. The information is scarce on their biological heritage. They are now adults. Will genetic testing fill in the background they do not have?

  - Betty

• October 8, 2008 1:53 p.m.

  I've just been told that my sister has 2 splenic arterial aneurysms. Because of their sizes (2cm & 1 1/2cm) the doctor put a stent around them...she has told me that this could be genetic...what would you suggest I do?

  - Kathy

• October 8, 2008 11:55 a.m.

  I recently lost my Mother to breast cancer, Five years ago her sister also died from Breast Cancer. Myself and three sisters are currently in a genetics program here in Newfoundland Canada but are having to wait a long time for each stage. We are still at the stage where the team is requesting medical charts and files on our Mother and her sister from all the hospitals they were treated at. Is there any faster way I can have this genetic testing done and does anyone know where? My referral was sent by my family doctor in January but, I have still not met with the genetics team to be screened myself or the blood work up done.

  - Sandra

• October 8, 2008 11:36 a.m.

  My mother died from ung cancer. Both my oder brothers have had stage one cancer also in the lungs but had the cancer removed. My genentics course I took in college gives me uneasy feeling this may be a legacey from our mother so far chest xrays show no cancer..

  - Charles

• October 8, 2008 9:52 a.m.

  My spouse has Seizures and we would like to know if he would pass this on to any children. He started to have the seizures when he was 18 yrs old. None of the doctors can tell us why he has them, and we would like to know more about his condition if that is possible. His grandfather had seizures but everyone in the family states it was because he was a diabetic. But no one knows for sure. I want to have children but I don’t want to knowingly pass seizures onto anyone especially a child.

  - Christie

• October 8, 2008 9:50 a.m.

  My mother-in-law, husband and son all died of pancreatic cancer. My husband's sister also has a tumor on her pancreas. All have been advised their tumors were inoperable. Has it been determined that this condition is inherited or a predisposition has been inherited and, if so, is there a test to determine if my daughter has also inherited the gene?

  - Helena

• October 8, 2008 9:48 a.m.

  Does tracing genealogy give one a hint of health problems that may be genetic? I found many deaths due to lung problems and heart problems in my family. Smoking may have affected the cause. Any connection between genetic testing and genealogy?

  - bobs

• October 8, 2008 9:02 a.m.

  I am a stage 2 breast cancer survivor, I was diagnosed at 41 and now am being asked to do genetic testing because I am under 50, and had two types of cancer, triple negative and estrogen postive. But how accurate are the tests? And even if I carry the mutation its not a 100% that I will get more cancer...genetic testing "sounds" great, but I see risk, especially until its accurate, this gray area could cause more anxiety and harm. But I agree a personal and direct approach to medical care is better. Also, how do we protect the patient from discrimination from insurance companies? Many important parts still need to be decided and I am grateful to have Mayo to turn to, at least there is one medical group still reaching out to the masses with hope.

  - Meg

• October 8, 2008 8:33 a.m.

  I think this is great, I would definately rather deter an illness through awareness of a possiblility. I understand that prevention of the illness is less expensive than treating the illness, this should help to lower insurance rates.

  - Cathey/Texas

• October 8, 2008 7:49 a.m.

  Brain Aneurysm - My question/concern is that both my parents have had a brain aneurysm - Mom at 65yrs and Dad at 70yrs. Both did recover and were able to have a quality life - my question is should my 2 sisters and I have any testing and should our children have any screening? I have mentioned this to my Dr. and he does not seem to care or think anything needs to be done. Both my parents smoked and my dad was over weight and diabetic but otherwise were fairly healthy. Appreciate any advise you can share. thanks.

  - Kathy D

• October 8, 2008 6:42 a.m.

  My wife at the age of 52 was diagnosed with a brain AVM which broke and gave a big hemorrage.We have two boys aged 30 and 34.Is there any genetic tests we could perform to find out if the AVM has been transmited to them?

  - Dimitri P.

• October 8, 2008 5:10 a.m.

  I am writing in response to Mr. Elaine's allergy problem. He wrote "I have allergies to food, environmental, med. :" Few years ago I had problem of allergies where red spots appear on the whole body. I was told same; allergy to food, enviromenta etc. There was no success for years; once because of teath problem I was forced to take Calcium+Vit.c tablets; it was a miracle; that God gave me a new life; I was recovered instantly.

  - Rana

• October 8, 2008 5:03 a.m.

  We have depression and anxiety in a big way running through both sides or our family. When became unwell, it took me five years to find the right medication to put it almost in remission. I would have loved to have access to a test that would help me identify a medicine earlier. Do you think this technology will be accessible and credible for my children?

  - andrea

• October 8, 2008 12:48 a.m.

  I have allergies to:food, environmental, medications: I was tested at Mayo clinic, & have the Genetic CYP2D6*2*2 & told to find a Pharm D that specializes in drug toxcity, but have not had any success. very frustrating since I'm not sure what drugs to take. I have researched this online but need someone to guide me in this. I have totally avoided the drugs that have caused adverse reactions but have a hard time convincing the ER staff of my problem. any infor on this would be appreciated.

  - Elaine

• October 7, 2008 8:43 p.m.

  I have Charcot-Marie-Tooth disorder as diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale. I am 72 years old an did not have symptoms until I was about 55. They are confined to the periphery. How can I get genetic tests so i can properly advise my children?

  - Bob

• October 7, 2008 7:16 p.m.

  Are you looking into extremely rare chromosome anomolies too? IE Trisomy 13-16 mosiac?

  - Jeannie Jay

• October 7, 2008 6:56 p.m.

  I have had urticaria pigmentosis for 40 years,diegnosed at at10.sometimes it is better than others now is the worst ever! I have been in hospital 3 times this year with seemingly unrelated problems. urticaria how ever seems to tie it all together.

  - lynn

• October 7, 2008 6:09 p.m.

  I see both sides of this issue. I have a robertsonian 13/14th translocation and prothrombin 20210 genetic mutation. I have been told by some doctors that I must have been adopted because none of my seven siblings do not have the promthombin gene.I was told it is virtually impossible that my siblings are my full siblings. However 4 of the 8 of us have the 13/14th translocation.My Father also had this translocation.This has caused much upset and questioning in my life. My parents (?) have been dead for many years but I just can't believe that my Mother isn't mine. She died from pulmonary emboli at 54. I had a DVT at 52. My daughter also has the prothrombin mutation. She's planning on starting a family in the next few years so will need to see a genetic counselor. My father had diabetes and now I'm prediabetic.So many questions may be answered but it also opens a lot of questions.I'm also very concerned regarding insurance. I've had drs tell me to never lose my group insurance because I will have a very hard time getting it on my own.

  - Cathy

• October 7, 2008 6:02 p.m.

  My mom has eds. She was diagnosed by a client of hers by a doctor from sweden. She has a advanced type and my sister was tested and also has it. My moms hands are all black on the top from this disease. Should all my family be tested for this disease. Thank you

  - sandy

• October 7, 2008 5:09 p.m.

  I find it very gratifying that genetic testing is become a reality. Both of my parents died at the age of 84. My mother COPD and my fatehr died of congental heart disease. As a woman in my 60's I am very aware of hear disease in women. My primary physician is a female cardiologist and interest but I feel she is not addessing agressively my doppler tests which showed heavy plaque in the neck arteries. Should I seek agressive like surgery for the condition

  - Nancy

• October 7, 2008 4:28 p.m.

  I am wondering about cancer, and genetics, and the early detecting tests that can be done. My mother and father at age 80 died last year, and she starting at age 23, had breast, 40yr had utrine, 70??? Skin, and at 77yr tongue/throat, and lung cancer. Grandmother died of stomach cancer. Aunt had cancer and died also. I would like to know what options for testing and genetics I can pursue. I have a general family doctor that does not think it needed. I had to find an oncology doctor who took a deeper look at me to get treatment for my thyroid. Thank you for any Suggestions????

  - Patricia

• October 7, 2008 3:45 p.m.

  My parents and my older brother passed away from heart disease. I know I have it and i wonder how young or old should I start testing my children and grandchildren to see if it is prevalent in their system.

  - Dave Gaddy

• October 7, 2008 3:20 p.m.

  In 2004 my husband passed away suddenly at the age of 31. There were many warning signs, but he was diagnosed only after death with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy by autopsy AND with Long QT Syndrome Type 2 genetically. Each condition itself poses an independent 50/50 risk of inheritance to the three children that we share. Although my husbands DNA returned negative for HCM, it is only so because he had a mutation that is not yet discovered. I have elected to have my husband's DNA in a study at Harvard University which proposes to discover all of the genes causing HCM. This study is expected to take approx. 10 years. By then our children would still be in thier teens, and may benefit from any discoveries. 2/3 of our children have been diagnosed genetically with the mutation that causes Long QT syndrome. They have not displayed any of the symptoms related to the disorder as of yet. They are being treated medically for the condition, and our family has all been trained on how to operate a defibrillator, which we take everywhere. The mutation has an association with specific triggers for cardiac arrest, which we are careful to avoid. The knowledge of any genetic dispositions that my children have to two potentially fatal heart conditions is life changing. It has allowed me to protect my children as much as possible, and to avoid potential triggers for cardiac events. As a young widow and mother, genetic testing is a benefit that I am thankful for and will always support.

  - Laurie