How long should generic tests take?

ivorystraws

Hi,

I have a genetic condition which was first confirmed in Beaumont Hospital over 20 years ago but nothing was followed up on since until these recent years in which I've pushed for more details. However, a specialist consultant first took my blood sample to be sent off for genetic testing over 17 months ago!!! Each time I get in contact with this consultant and ask for updates, she tells me that genetic testing can take some time, depending on what's being tested..... but surely no genetic testing can take 17 months!?

What can I do (apart from plauging that consultant for more updates)? Where would genetic testing be carried out here in Ireland?

SerialComplaint

17 months does seem unreasonable - why not lodge a formal complaint;

http://www.beaumont.ie/index.jsp?p=105&n=370

ivorystraws

SerialComplaint wrote: »

17 months does seem unreasonable - why not lodge a formal complaint;

http://www.beaumont.ie/index.jsp?p=105&n=370

That's probably a good idea but this consultant is based in Cork University Hospital so I guess there may be some similar service there?

Knine

Genetic testing can easily take 17 months and sometimes much longer. They reason is that the tests are not all done in Ireland or the UK. Some of them go to other european countries and because the tests are so expensive to run, especially for rarer genetic issues.

They block collect lots of samples and then run the rests every 6 months or so when they have a certain amount, they test them all.

Beechfield Healthcare

Hello,
Have a look at www.23andme.com One of the staff here got results back in 6 weeks. It might not be at consultation level but the results were very comprehensive!


Customer Care
www.beechfieldhealthcare.ie

ivorystraws

Knine wrote: »

Genetic testing can easily take 17 months and sometimes much longer. They reason is that the tests are not all done in Ireland or the UK. Some of them go to other european countries and because the tests are so expensive to run, especially for rarer genetic issues.

They block collect lots of samples and then run the rests every 6 months or so when they have a certain amount, they test them all.

Really? I wasn't aware of that and my consultant definitely didn't explain those details to me... I just thought she was fobbing me off with generic statements (as has been my experience with some medical professionals to date).

If that is the genuine reason for it taking so long, I don't mind as long as I get some accurate results back. I've waited 21 years since first diagnosis so I guess a couple of more months won't make much difference.

Appreciate that information, thanks.

ivorystraws

Beechfield Healthcare wrote: »

Hello,
Have a look at www.23andme.com One of the staff here got results back in 6 weeks. It might not be at consultation level but the results were very comprehensive!


Customer Care
www.beechfieldhealthcare.ie

That's new to me. I didn't know that such services existed. So apart from the 1 year subscription, are there other costs involved?

I'm assuming that such a service would be able to confirm (or deny) the exact genetic condition which I have?