GENETIC COUNSELING

GENETIC COUNSELING

 

Genetic counseling is a health service which provides all the necessary information to patients with a genetic disorder or to people who are under risk for a genetic disorder. The necessary information includes:

  • The risk of that genetic disorder to develop in the person himself/herself and his/her family
  • The stages and outcomes of that certain genetic disorder
  • If possible, information about applicable genetic tests and prenatal tests
  • The information that is required to reduce the risk of that disorder
  • Treatment options
  • Psychological support that is necessary to handle the existing and future outcomes of that disorder

 

Genetic counseling is a key source of information about a certain disorder for other health specialists, patients, and public.

 

If health professionals observe a symptom or suspect the presence of a certain disease in a patient, they should direct the patient to genetic counseling or a genetics specialist. A genetics specialist can;

  • Provide information about the existing genetic disorder
  • Ask for a detailed pedigree analysis
  • Offer a suitable genetic test
  • Provide information about the treatment of that disorder
  • Provide information about the long-term outcomes of that disorder
  • Provide information about suitable drugs and their effects
  • Direct the patient to another health specialist after providing the necessary information

 

For the ideal clarification of genetic disorders, these steps should be followed in genetic counseling:

  1. Obtainment of a detailed family history and construction of a pedigree
  2. Physical examination of the patient and/or interpretation of the results
  3. Clinical laboratory tests and/or interpretation of the results
  4. Pre-diagnosis
  5. Genetic tests
  6. Genetic diagnosis
  7. Providing information about the results to the patient
  8. Providing information about the treatment to the patient
  9. Follow-up of the patient
  10. Screening of the family members who are under risk
  11. Recommendation of prenatal tests for the people in the family who plan for marriage and/or pregnant women in the family

 

Genetic testing can have emotional, social, pshycological and financial risks as well. Discuss all risks and benefits of genetic testing with a medical geneticist or a genetic counselor before you have a genetic test.

 

For more detailed information and genetic counseling, please contact with our center.