Dr. Shilpa Sayana, an internist with 16 years of experience, recommends the Gene Insight pharmacogenetic test before starting psychiatric medications. A simple saliva sample predicts which antidepressants, anxiolytics, or sleep aids will work best for you, and insurance often covers it.
If you're considering taking medication, make sure you take this test first. I'm Dr. Shilpa Sayana, practicing as an internist for almost 16 years with functional medicine for almost a decade. One of the tests I use often in our practice is Gene Insight test. It's just a salivary test. You don't even need any blood work for it. It does help you with understanding what medications would specifically work for your genetics around depression, anxiety, sleep issues. I think it's a great tool covered by insurance to tell you which of these medications would work for you, especially if you're dealing with anxiety and depression and you realized that it's time to consider medication.
