genetic counseling

[Guest guest]

( Jane, This is from one of the Neurocast Sessions by Athena ~ G)

Genetic counseling is highly recommended both before and after testing

for any hereditary disorder.

Before testing, genetic counseling educates patients and/or parents

about:

the disorder being tested for;

the likelihood that a test result will be positive;

the capabilities and limitations of the assay ;

the risks and benefits of testing;

After testing, genetic counseling can:

help patients/caregivers understand their diagnoses and what

implications their diagnosis might have for family members;

help patients/caregivers address the psychosocial aspects of the

disease, including how to discuss the disease with family and friends;

offer patients/caregivers information regarding family planning

[Guest guest]

Jane,

Just came back from a visit to a GC. You will be asked

questions that will give the researcher clues as to

which family members have transmitted the disease.

By knowing how the disease was transmitted a better

idea of which form of the disease it is. I am not

going to make your head spin with a bunch of details

or long names.

It would be an excellent idea to have family " trees "

or charts available as to ancestors and offspring

names and whether or not they were symptomatic.

In fact they will do this during the visit and shade

the affected ones, it really paints a picture. So have

all the data you can find when you go.

There is nothing to this and you will walk away much

more informed (and probably with a lot more

questions).

So don't sweat the small stuff!

God Bless and Hugs

Jim Nash in Ohio