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Genetic Testing & Counseling

If you have a family history of cancer, genetic diseases, or medical disorders and are concerned about your risk of developing these medical conditions or passing them to your children, turn to Essentia Health.

Our genetic counselors will work with you and your family to provide education, guidance, and support. This service is available in Duluth, Minnesota and Fargo, North Dakota.

Our genetic counselors offer both in-person and virtual appointments.

Ask for a Referral

You’ll need a referral from your primary care provider or a specialist for this service.

What’s a Genetic Counselor?

Genetic counselors have advanced training in medical genetics and counseling to guide and support patients seeking more information about how inherited diseases and conditions might affect them or their families.

When to See a Genetic Counselor

Ask your doctor for a referral to an Essentia genetic counselor if:
  • You have a close relative with a hereditary cancer, such as breast, ovarian, or colon cancer
  • You’re pregnant and an ultrasound showed something unusual or you have a high-risk pregnancy
  • You or a close relative have a genetic condition or have had genetic testing
  • You are adopted or have limited family history and want to learn about genetic health risks
Your genetic counselor will work closely with your care team to help you understand:
  • Your genetic risks based on your family history
  • Your genetic risks for certain diseases or cancer
  • Whether genetic testing might be right for you
  • What the results of genetic tests may mean for you and your family

Benefits of Genetic Testing

Genetic testing can be done to:

  • Diagnose a disorder, disease, or condition
  • Predict genetic risk for developing a medical issue
  • Determine if you carry a gene for a medical condition you will not develop but may pass to your children
  • Assess genetic risks for couples with infertility and/or conceiving through an assisted reproductive technology, such as vitro fertilization
  • Evaluate babies for genetic conditions and begin treatment immediately

What is Genetic Testing?

Genetic testing is a type of medical test that identifies changes in chromosomes, genes, or proteins. The results of a genetic test can confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition or help determine your risk of developing or passing on a genetic disorder.

If you choose to seek genetic testing, we'll help you determine the test that's right for you and send a sample of your blood, saliva, or cheek swab sample to a lab. Once your results are in, we'll review them with you, address any concerns you may have, and provide emotional support if necessary.

Our genetic counselors offer easy-to-understand information and will work with you to create a preventative plan that outlines the positive steps you can take to address risk factors you can control.

What Common Conditions Can be Tested for?

Outside of family or personal history of gene mutation or genetic conditions, the common hereditary diseases, disorders, or conditions that can be screened for using genetic testing include:

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Anemias
  • Blood Disorders
    • Thalassemia
    • Thrombophilia
  • Cancer
    • Personal history
    • Family history
  • Cardiology
    • Arrhythmia
    • Cardiomyopathy
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Diabetes
  • Cystic fibrosis
  • Down's syndrome
  • Huntington disease
  • Inherited clotting problems
  • Muscular dystrophies
  • Nephrology
    • Kidney disease
    • Polycystic kidney disease
  • Neurology
  • Obstetrics
    • Prenatal & Preconception
      • Prenatal screening
      • Diagnostic prenatal testing
    • Infertility
      • Carrier screening
      • Chromosome analysis
  • Pediatric
    • Developmental delays
    • Autism spectrum disorder
    • Metabolic conditions
  • Thalassemias
  • First Trimester Genetic Screening

    During prenatal genetic counseling, you’ll learn what genetic tests benefit you. Ask about a first-trimester genetic screening that measures the risk of chromosomal abnormalities.

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