Understanding genetic counseling in ALS
WHY IT MATTERS
If you have ALS, genetic testing and counseling can reveal whether your condition is hereditary, which affects whether your relatives should be screened and what treatment options might work best for you.
Doctors are now recommending that all ALS patients get genetic testing to understand if their disease is inherited. A genetic counselor is a specialist who helps explain what these test results mean and how they might affect family members. Understanding your genetic information can help you and your doctor make better decisions about your care and family planning.
Richard A. Lewis, MD, explains how genetic counseling fits into ALS care and why understanding genetic factors may help guide conversations and decisions. How do you operationalize the new guidelines suggesting genetic testing for all ALS patients? The post Understanding genetic counseling in ALS appeared first on ALS News Today .
ASK YOUR DOCTOR
Ask your ALS specialist at your next appointment whether genetic testing and counseling are right for you, and request a referral to a genetic counselor if you're interested.