Making the decision to attend an appointment for a genetic consultation can be daunting. The Greenwood Genetic Center (GGC) providers and clinical staff will do everything possible to make your experience as smooth and simple as possible. Once your healthcare provider has submitted a referral, we’ll be in touch with next steps.
In order to schedule an appointment with the Greenwood Genetic Center, all patients need a referral from a healthcare provider. GGC only accepts clinical referrals for patients residing in South Carolina.
Greenwood Genetic Center offers general genetics services at all five offices across South Carolina. These clinics offer comprehensive genetic evaluations for patients from birth through adulthood. Referrals are required and can be made for South Carolina patients with symptoms or concerns about a genetic condition by a primary care physician, specialist, or other healthcare provider.
The goal of genetic services is to help those at risk or affected by a genetic disorder.
GGC provides physical exams, genetic counseling, genetic testing, and educational resources for those in need of answers, treatment, and support. Common reasons for genetic referrals include:
The GGC team understands that the possibility of facing a genetic disorder can be stressful. We’re dedicated to patient care and guiding you through every step, from your first visit through the diagnostic testing process and possible treatment options. Here is what you can expect from a typical general genetics clinic:
The term “specialty clinics” refers to clinics where specialists from different areas, including genetics, provide care for a patient during a single visit.
Because many genetic disorders are extremely complex and impact more than one area of a patient’s health and well-being, a specialty clinic may provide the most comprehensive level of care for patients with a rare disease.
The genetic counselors and geneticists who participate in GGC specialty clinics work together with professionals from other specialties to provide a more convenient and cohesive experience for patients and their families.
In a specialty clinic, patients will meet with and be evaluated by more than one specialist during a single visit. This type of collaboration not only reduces stress on the patient, it supports collaboration between the patient’s physicians and other providers. When all consultations are completed in one clinic on the same day, patients can more easily get all of their questions answered and discuss appropriate follow-up and treatment measures with all their clinicians.
Understanding the cause of a disability can lead to better treatments and improved resources. The Greenwood Genetic Center offers genetic evaluations for those served by the SC Office of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (formerly the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs). Collectively, we aim to provide families with an accurate diagnosis, guidance for appropriate interventions and treatments, and information on medical issues, reproductive risks, and future expectations.
A genetic evaluation is one tool that helps you get the best possible medical care for yourself or a family member. Information gathered through this consultation can often lead to finding answers and better ways to manage the challenges faced by your loved one. Some developmental disabilities also impact physical health, and a genetic evaluation can help identify those risks and connect you with providers who specialize in those areas. Here is how you can prepare for your consultation:
Allow about an hour for your appointment.
GGC serves patients throughout the state of South Carolina. Patients who have been referred through OIDD/SCDDSN can be seen at the GGC office nearest their home or by telemedicine. GGC provides telegenetics appointments with the same high-quality level of care that patients receive during in-person visits.
Metabolic genetic diseases are a rare group of disorders that interrupt the normal function of the body’s metabolism. Some of these disorders are often referred to as inborn errors of metabolism. Metabolic genetic diseases often affect the way food and chemicals are broken down in the body. When an enzyme or protein is either missing from the body or does not function as it should, a disorder or defect can occur. Inherited metabolic disorders affect both children and adults. Thousands of inherited metabolic diseases exist, and most are extremely rare.
Children with recurrent, unexplained illness or progressive deterioration in their physical or mental status are often referred for a metabolic genetic evaluation.
Some genetic screenings, such as phenylketonuria or PKU, are automatically done when a baby is born, through newborn screening, also known as the heel-prick test. Patients diagnosed with a metabolic disorder through newborn screening are evaluated, treated, and followed in our metabolic clinic.
At GGC, a metabolic genetic consultation goes beyond diagnosis. Our clinicians are dedicated to patient care and provide services including genetic counseling, genetic testing, dietary counseling and management, psychological evaluations, and ongoing treatment monitoring.
Symptoms that may alert a healthcare professional to the need for a metabolic genetics evaluation include:
During a metabolic consultation, a clinician will spend time asking and answering questions, taking a thorough family history, and providing a physical examination, if needed. They will discuss testing and treatment options and guide you through the testing process. You may also meet with a metabolic dietitian and/or a neuropsychologist during your visit.
Most cancers are not hereditary. For those 5-10% of cancers that are passed from generation to generation, genetic cancer counseling can be a life-saver. The cancer genetic counseling service at the GGC begins with careful evaluation of your medical and family history. If the genetic counselor suspects that the cancer in your family is inherited, they will discuss recommendations for screenings, as well as the risks, benefits, and limitations of genetic testing.
Taking the steps to learn if you are at risk for hereditary cancer takes careful consideration. Through a thorough risk assessment, our genetic counselors determine the likelihood that the cancer in your family is hereditary and what testing, if any, is warranted. Not every patient who receives a consultation decides to have genetic testing. During that decision-making process we will discuss the implications of genetic testing including how the results could impact the need for additional cancer screening and preventive measures.
The genetic counselors at GGC understand the experience can be an emotional one. We provide education, resources, and ongoing support as part of our commitment to patient care.
Participating in cancer genetic counseling does not obligate you to have genetic testing. The goal of genetic counseling is to provide accurate information about risk factors and address any questions or concerns. For those who do proceed with testing, a negative test result does not mean that you will never get cancer. And a positive test result is not a guarantee that cancer will develop. Your genetic counselor will help asses your personal risk following testing.
If you’re already established at one of our five clinical locations, please contact that office. If not, complete the ‘Contact Us’ form and our team will be happy to help.