New Alzheimer's Blood Test

[Tacenda]

Recently in the news there was an announcement of a new Alzheimer's blood test out to determine if you have it and it's accuracy is 90 %. It may not be really new, just something that's taken this long to be able to try. 

Many of you might already know my mother had early onset Alzheimer's. She showed signs as early as 60 years of age. Since I've seen all of what she went through I want to take the test so I can best take steps on preparing my future with things I selfishly want to happen. When she was diagnosed, she was past understanding what she had.

I am set to get the blood test this coming Monday and I've had some very emotional times of wondering if I should get it done, and do I want to know. 

What I won't do is tell my siblings about it, nor tell them my outcome. I just don't want my story to affect them in harmful ways. If they see the news and want to get it, fine. But I want no part in altering their lives with the information. 

What do you all think about it, would you want to know? 

BTW, I was surprised that my family doctor was already capable of having me take the test. I thought I'd have to get it at a University that was studying Alzheimer cures etc. 

[Calm]

5 minutes ago, Tacenda said:

What do you all think about it, would you want to know? 

Even if the Alzheimer’s drugs are pretty useless right now, the test if positive can motivate you to live in healthy ways. And you and your doctors will know whether you need to stay up on research to take advantage off what is out there (that is reasonable).  Given your level of anxiety about it that I have seen over the years, I think it a good idea. 
 

Now to decide if I should take it.  Mom’s dementia was not diagnosed as Alzheimer’s, forgetting wasn’t her issue. 

Edited August 2, 2024 by Calm

[Stargazer]

On 8/2/2024 at 6:42 PM, Tacenda said:

What do you all think about it, would you want to know? 

I do believe I would want to know. 

I had been under the impression that Alzheimer's was significantly genetically determinable, but upon looking it up, this appears to be largely not the case. Wiki reports:

The cause for most Alzheimer's cases is still mostly unknown, except for 1–2% of cases where deterministic genetic differences have been identified.

Which relieves some worry I had that my wife might end up going down that road because her mother went down it. And this also removes some feeling of safety I had, since none of my known ancestors have suffered from any kind of dementia.

Edited August 6, 2024 by Stargazer

[Tacenda]

Got my test results, all it said is everything looked normal. But nothing in depth. But hey, gave me some time.