*Background*:
I had genetic testing done as I have very unusual, extreme side effects on most medications.
As it turns out, in addition to a few other differences, I am classified as a “Poor CYP2D6 Metabolizer”
For those who are versed in pharmacology or genetics:
**CYP2D6**
*4/*41
CYP2D6*4 allele enzyme activity: None
CYP2D6*41 allele enzyme activity: Reduced
This genotype is most consistent with the **poor metabolizer phenotype**. This patient may have reduced enzyme activity as compared to individuals with the normal phenotype.
None of my providers have been overly helpful in explaining what this means exactly in terms of physiology and medication. I have tried learning about it through online lectures but I am not overly versed in chemistry.
In: 2
The “CYP” (pronounced like sip) enzymes hang out in the liver, where they help break down and transform chemicals that arrive in the blood (chemicals like medications). There are lots of different CYP enzymes, each called “CYP-(some letters and numbers)”, and CYP2D6 is just one of them. It’s an important one for breaking down certain medications. So if you are a “poor metabolizer” of CYP2D6 it means that this particular enzyme doesn’t work great in you, so medication might not get broken down as fast as it should, so it can build up in your system if the dose is too high. You should take lower doses of those medicines, or take medicines that are metabolized through a different CYP enzyme.
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