OVERVIEW
Hereditary endocrine disorders affect the endocrine system which is a network of glands that produce and release hormones and help control or coordinate many body processes. Alterations in different types of endocrine glands can lead to varied symptoms. Low release of the hormone cortisol in adrenal glands can lead to adrenal insufficiency. Symptoms include fatigue, stomach upset, dehydration, and skin changes. Other endocrine glands include pituitary gland (Cushing’s disease, Gigantism) and thyroid gland (Hyperthyroidism, Hypothyroidism). Pathogenic variants in the androgen receptor lead to androgen insensitivity syndrome which is characterized by a female phenotype in an individual with an XY karyotype and testes producing age-appropriate normal concentrations of androgens. There is a partial (with predominantly female/male, or ambiguous external genitalia) and milder (with typical male external genitalia) form. Early identification of individuals at risk can help establish the right clinical management plan.
We offer comprehensive and syndrome-specific panels testing for endocrine disorders. The test can offer a molecular genetic diagnosis of an endocrine disorder that is observed or predicted in you/your child or a family member.
IMPORTANCE OF GETTING TESTED
If you or a family member has a risk of an endocrine disorder, identifying the cause can help to take actions to improve the outcome of the disorder. Additionally, family members can be informed and encouraged to also get tested. Our genetic counsellors can provide medical advice.
You have a family history
of endocrine disorders
You have a newborn with mismatch
between the prenatal sex prediction
and the phenotype at birth
You/your child has a clinical diagnosis
and want to confirm
POSSIBLE OUTCOMES OF THE TEST
A molecular genetic diagnostic report outlining the results of the sequencing analysis is provided. Changes in DNA sequences (variants) can be detrimental and lead to the development of a cardiac or aortic disorder, including asymptomatic disorders that develop later in life. We will report pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants as well as variants of unknown significance.
Pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants mean the genetic cause of the observed symptoms has been identified and may help determine the right treatment and management plan.
Variants of unknown significance means there was not enough evidence to classify the variant as either pathogenic or neutral. Annual variant reclassification and testing family members is recommended.
It is important to note that a negative result does not guarantee the absence of a disorder or that the disorder does not have a genetic cause. Genetic testing is an evolving field and may not detect all variants or there may not currently be enough evidence to classify all variants that lead to an inherited disease.
MEDICAL GENETIC COUNSELLING
We provide expert medical genetic counselling as part of a genetic testing journey. Genetic counselling is a process of communication that supports patients and their relatives before and after genetic testing. It is educational, impartial and nondirective. Prior to any genetic test, genetic counsellors will obtain a detailed family history, explain the method of testing that will be used, its risks and benefits, the limitations of the diagnosis and the implications of making a genetic diagnosis (Elliott and Friedman, 2018, Nat Rev Genet 19:735).
Upon receiving the genetic test results, genetic counselling can help the specialist physician and the patient to interpret them. They can be advised of the consequences of the results including the probability of developing the genetic disorder or passing it on to children, as well as ways to prevent, avoid or reduce these risks (Yang and Kim, 2018, Ann Lab Med 38:291). Our goal of counselling is to provide the patient with greater knowledge and thus, a better understanding of the results and the ability to make a more informed decision.
1 ml EDTA Blood
Please note: DO NOT FREEZE. Ship with a frozen ice pack. Prepare the package such that the tube is tightly packed and not loose. Avoid getting the blood tube wet from the ice pack. Place a paper towel in between ice pack and blood tube if necessary. In sub-zero temperatures, include an unfrozen ice pack in the shipping container as insulation.
15-25 working days
DNA is isolated and next generation sequencing is performed on all coding exons and conserved intronic regions. Single base pair changes, small deletions and duplications and copy number variants (CNV) are identified. Sequencing runs result in a Quality Score of >30 (accuracy >99.9%) in at least 75% of all bases with a coverage of >20-fold. CNV detection sensitivity is 76.99% and precision is 62.59% (with GC limitation between 0.4 and 0.6 per target sensitivity is 77.04% and precision is 84.10%). Variant classification is performed following ACMG guidelines (Richards et al. 2015, Genet Med 17:405; Kearney et al. 2011, Genet Med 13:680).
Next generation
sequencing (Illumina)
Twist Human Core
Exome plus Ref Seq
Spikeln
Illumina DRAGEN
Bio-IT Platform
VarSeq by
GoldenHelix
hg38, NCBI GR38
>30 (precision >99,9%)
in min. 75% of bases
99.92-99.93%; confirmation of reported SNV with Sanger
sequencing, data analysis with
SeqPilot
Richards et al. 2015, Genet Med
17:405; Ellard et al. “ACGS Best
Practice Guidelines for Variant
Classification 2020″
MaxEntScan,
SpliceSiteFinder-like,
REVEL
HGMD Professional
release, ClinVar,
gnomAD
OUR TESTS
Genes: AR
Genes: AR, DMRT1, NR5A1, TEX11
Genes: AZF
Genes: ARL6, BBIP1, BBS1, BBS10, BBS12, BBS2, BBS4, BBS5, BBS7, BBS9, IFT27, LZTFL1, MKKS, MKS1, TRIM32, TTC8
Genes: ALMS1, ARL6, BBIP1, BBS1, BBS10, BBS12, BBS2, BBS4, BBS5, BBS7, BBS9, C8orf37, CCDC28B, CEP290, IFT172, IFT27, IFT74, LZTFL1, MKKS, MKS1, NPHP1, SDCCAG8, TMEM67, TRIM32, TTC8, WDPCP
Genes: CYP11B1, CYP11B2, CYP17A1, CYP21A2, HSD3B2
Genes: AIP, CDC73, CDKN1B, MAX, MEN1, PTEN, RET, SDHA, SDHAF2, SDHB, SDHC, SDHD, TMEM127, VHL
Genes: APOB
Genes: APOB, LDLR, LDLRAP1, PCSK9
Genes: APOA1, APOE, LIPC
Genes: APOA5, APOC2, GPIHBP1, LMF1, LPL
Genes: ABCA1, APOA1, LCAT
Genes: XXY
Genes: ABCC8, APPL1, BLK, CEL, GCK, HNF1A, HNF1B, HNF4A, INS, KCNJ11, KLF11, NEUROD1, PAX4, PDX1
Genes: KSR2, LEP, LEPR, MC3R, MC4R, MRAP2, NTRK2, PCSK1, POMC, SH2B1, SIM1
Genes: CDKN1C, DIS3L2, DNMT3A, EED, EZH2, GPC3, HERC1, HIST1H1E, NFIX, NSD1, OFD1
Genes: CASR, CFTR, CPA1, CTRC, PRSS1, SPINK1
Genes: na
Genes: monosomy X
LATEST ARTICLES
Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a rare inherited muscle disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness and degeneration that leads to difficultie...
May 12 is International Nurses Day. It is celebrated on Florence Nightingale’s birthday. She pioneered the field of modern nursing through her dedi...
Hair loss is a common problem that affects millions of men and women around the world. While genetics is believed to be the most significant factor c...
Depression is a serious mental health issue affecting over 280 million people worldwide. Recent research has revealed a potential link between gut he...
If you are unlucky enough to suffer from migraines, you will know that a migraine is not just a bad headache. The headache and accompanying symptoms ...
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological developmental disorder that affects brain development and function. This affects how people learn, b...
Researchers have developed a method called "Mendelian Phenotype Search Engine" (MPSE) to identify which sick infants in the neonatal intensive care u...
Did you know that wisdom teeth are actually an evolutionary leftover from our ancient ancestors that no longer serve their original purpose? These mo...
Azoospermia is a medical condition characterized by the absence of sperm in the ejaculate and is a major cause of male infertility. It affects 1 in 1...
Science has traditionally been a male dominated subject; however, women have also been hard at work in this field for decades. We put together this i...
