Frequently Asked Questions
What is genetic counseling and how can it benefit me?
Genetic counseling provides personalized insights into how your genetic makeup may influence your health, enabling informed and proactive healthcare decisions. Whether you're seeking guidance related to hereditary cancer, cardiovascular conditions, neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer’s or dementia), pharmacogenomics, preconception planning, pediatric disorders, connective tissue diseases, or the interaction between genetics, lifestyle, and nutrition- genetic counseling can offer meaningful support.
By identifying individual risk factors, genetic counselors can help develop a tailored plan that may include lifestyle accommodations, nutrition strategies, and appropriate screening recommendations, all aimed at optimizing long-term health and well-being.
What areas do your board certified genetic counselors specialize in?
Our practice specializes in:
Cancer Genetics (for patients with personal or family history of cancer and any known genetic mutations in the family relating to cancer)
Alzheimer’s & Dementia Genetics (for patients with family history especially under the age of 65 and seeking proactive steps)
Cardiovascular Genetics (for patients with personal or family history of heart disease under age 60, sudden cardiac death in the family, abnormal lipid panels or cardiac markers without clear explanation)
Nutrigenomics (Advanced Functional Genomics for patients interested in prevention, longevity, and optimization)
Connective Tissue Disorders (Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), or other connective tissue
disorders)
Preconception & Fertility (for patients with recurrent miscarriage or infertility, known genetic conditions or birth defects in the family, and assess carrier status prior to pregnancy)
Pediatric Genetics (for children with developmental delays, Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), unexplained growth issues, neurologic or psychiatric symptoms with suspected genetic link)
Pharmacogenomics (for patients with poor medication response or side effects)
Are your services covered by insurance?
We’re a concierge-style private practice, which means we don’t bill insurance directly for our services. However, some of the genetic tests we offer may be eligible for coverage. We’re happy to walk you through this information in more detail during your Discovery Call. In many cases, you can also use your HSA or FSA, although it is not guaranteed.
How does nutrition and lifestyle play a role in Golden Genetics’ counseling services?
With a strong foundation in nutrition, we believe in the power of diet and lifestyle changes to positively influence your health outcomes. Our approach includes creating personalized, preventative plans based on your genetic makeup to optimize health, longevity, and manage risks associated with family history.
How do I get started with genetic counseling services?
Simply book a discovery call with one of our team members here.
What makes your practice different from traditional hospital settings?
Our private practice offers a more integrative approach to genetic counseling. By combining traditional genetic testing with nutrigenomics and focusing on nutrition and lifestyle modifications, we provide a personalized plan that goes beyond what's typically offered in hospital settings.
Why should one consider carrier screening before trying to conceive and what does this type of testing ?
Preconception genetic carrier screening is an essential step in family planning. Carrier screening is a type of genetic test that checks whether a person carries changes in their genes that could increase the risk of passing on certain inherited conditions to their children. While this testing doesn’t cover every possible genetic disorder, it can identify many of the most common and serious conditions.
Most people who are carriers do not show any signs or symptoms of the condition, so the only way to know carrier status is through genetic testing.
If one partner is found to be a carrier, the next recommended step is to test the other partner. If only one partner carries a gene for a condition, the child may be a carrier as well but is typically not affected. However, if both partners are carriers of the same condition, there is a higher chance the child could inherit the condition and be affected.
Carrier screening can be done for both partners at the same time, but the more common approach is to begin with testing the mother. If she is identified as a carrier, then the father is tested. This stepwise approach can help streamline the process and avoid unnecessary testing.
What are the benefits of starting carrier screening with a board certified genetic counselor?
While most OB/GYN offices offer carrier screening, abnormal results are typically referred to a genetic counselor for further evaluation. This referral process can sometimes take time and may lead to added stress or uncertainty for patients. For this reason, we recommend starting the carrier screening process with genetic counselors from the beginning. This allows for faster, more seamless follow-up if any concerns arise, as patients can continue working directly with the same provider.
We strongly advise against using direct-to-consumer (at-home) carrier tests without professional guidance. These tests can be limited in scope, and interpreting the results accurately often requires specialized knowledge.
