Blood Leukocyte Telomere Length and Genetic Testing
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Blood leukocyte telomere length testing and genetic testing are relatively new tools for diagnosing and treating interstitial lung disease (ILD). Columbia’s clinic is one of the first to implement these tests as part of standard ILD care.
Telomeres are repeated DNA sequences located at the ends of chromosomes. They help maintain the integrity of chromosomal ends during cell division and they shorten with age. People with short telomeres are more susceptible to fibrotic ILD. Telomere length testing can help determine whether you have this risk, which can be genetically inherited.
Telomere length can also impact decisions about the best medication to treat your ILD. Our clinic has an integrated genetic counselor who can initiate genetic testing, if indicated. These tests can only be drawn in the ILD clinic due to the unique processing and counseling required.