How+to+Test+for+Huntington's

A blood test is a good way to test if you have the HD gene, but it cannot tell when symptoms will begin. The three categories of testing are: 1. Presymptomatic- this test is for people who are potentially at risk for Huntington's 2. Confirmatory- determines if people displaying symptoms actually have the disease 3. Prenatal- used to see if a fetus is at risk for Huntington's

A symptomatic test is usually a procedure that involves sessions over a period of a month or more. These sessions are each dedicated to genetic counseling, a neurological exam, interviews, and the results discussion. The purpose of this procedure is to prepare the patient for the results and future testing. It is a good idea to bring a friend or family member to these sessions to offer moral support. Deciding whether to get tested for Huntington's can be difficult, but if symptoms are clearly present or if there is a family history of the disease, getting tested is a good idea. If the test is positive, it can be a very emotional time, as well as a basis for decisions on careers, marriage, families,etc. A prenatal exam can show if the child will inherit the defective gene. This is done by extracting a sample from the fetus to test the DNA; if it is positive, parents can decide on the future of the pregnancy.