Huntington's Disease Genetic Test: Should I Be Tested
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Should I Be Tested?
The decision to take the test for Huntington's disease is personal. You may have emotional, financial, and family reasons for taking or not taking the test.
You might choose to be tested because:
- You want to know whether you will get the disease so you can prepare yourself and your family if your test is positive. You might choose, for example, to set up financial arrangements in a certain way or change other life plans.
- You want to know because the results will affect whether you marry or have children.
- You think the anxiety of not knowing whether you will get the disease is worse than the certainty of knowing that you will get it.
- Your health insurance will pay for all or most of the test. Or, you can afford to pay for the test yourself.
| Last updated: | November 13, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS |
| Reviewed By: | Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Renee H. Martin, PhD - Medical Genetics |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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