Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cypress Bioscience?
Cypress Bioscience is a biotechnology company dedicated to helping patients who suffer from conditions that can cause pain and poor quality of life. By offering Avise personalized medicine services, we provide objective information about your specific condition which can help your doctor make important decisions about your treatment. All Avise testing is performed in San Diego, CA at our certified medical laboratory.
What is the Avise testing process?
You cannot request Avise testing directly, so you will need to find out from your doctor if Avise testing is appropriate for you. Office staff at your doctor’s office will give you instructions on how to get the test performed. In some cases, your blood sample will be collected at your doctor’s office; in other cases, you will need to visit a lab to have your sample drawn. All blood samples for Avise testing are sent to Cypress Bioscience in San Diego, California for processing.
Why did my doctor order Avise testing for me?
Your physician may have ordered Avise testing if you have or are suspected of having rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or, if you have been taking methotrexate for your RA and are not getting enough relief.
Avise PGSM is a specialized blood testing service that measures how well your body metabolizes methotrexate. With Avise PG results, your doctor can decide whether you’re on the right dose of methotrexate, whether you just need to give it more time to work, or if other treatment options need to be considered.
Avise MCVSM
is a specialized lab blood testing service that can help accurately diagnose
RA. In addition, Avise MCV has been shown to be useful in identifying
those individuals who might be prone to more aggressive RA.