The duration of the results
The duration of the results can vary greatly. It depends on which test is performed. Blood tests usually take less time than molecular genetic methods because the procedure is more complex. If you want an exact time, you should discuss this with your doctor or the laboratory.
How reliable are the results?
The reliability of the results can vary depending on where you have it done. As a rule, tests that are supervised by human geneticists are very reliable. Human geneticists are doctors who have completed their specialist training in genetics.
If one wishes to have a genetic clarification, it is advisable to consult a human geneticist and get advice. They decide which tests should be carried out and cooperate with reputable laboratories. Nowadays, genetic tests can also be bought on the Internet. In this case, however, you do not know which laboratory will carry out the tests and how reliable they are.For this reason this alternative is not particularly recommended.
The costs
It is not possible to make a generally valid statement about the costs. Depending on the medical indication, different test procedures are necessary. For example, a blood test of the mother in prenatal diagnostics is cheaper than an amniocentesis.
In some cases, the costs can also vary depending on the laboratory. However, in rare cases, the costs must be borne by the patients – in most cases they are covered by health insurance. In many cases, the statutory health insurance covers the costs of a human genetic consultation.
There are two regulations where it does not. On the one hand, if there is no medical indication, for example in the case of a DNA family tree test. Here the patient would like to have his DNA analyzed out of self-interest.
On the other hand, special regulations apply if the DNA analysis is to be carried out in connection with fertility treatment. In this case there is a co-payment obligation. If this special regulation applies to you, you should contact your health insurance company for information before the examinations.
Privately insured patients may have to cover part of the costs themselves. However, this depends on the health insurance company. For this reason, you should check with your health insurance company in advance.
