Am I crazy? Or should Dr. be testing ft3 also?
Started Armour about 6 weeks ago.
Now I need to test bloods to see where I’m landing. The script calls for total t4 and free t4, TSH, and Total T3.
NO Ft3?!
Isn’t that one of the more important?
I called the nurse and she said Dr. doesn’t need to test it. Just Total T3?
Yes free t3 is the most important one but a lot of doctors insist on not testing it. Ignorance at its finest.
Reverse t3 is important too but if they won’t test ft3 good luck getting rt3 tested.
You may have to just test it on your own.
I’d think it’s similar to testing Free Testosterone?!
Why the hell WOULDN’T he want to test it??! Any clue?
I’m assuming that’s what they’re taught in med school even though ft3 is now thought to be more important, similar to how people used to only test total T and now it’s being realized that free T is more important.
I don’t understand it why they wouldn’t just test it. At worst you get some additional data, I can’t imagine any downsides there
I basically told that to the nurse. I’m the boss here… And I want it tested. Not sure why there would be any push back on it. Flabbergasted actually.
Your doctor is using tests that are obsolete, T3 is obsolete and Free T3 is the more accurate important test you could possibly run because it shows how much thyroid hormone is making it into your cells. Your doctor just hasn’t updated knowledge is awhile and is beginning to fall behind treatment protocols.
Ignorance is commonplace in sick care because unlike a private cash pay practice where positive patient outcomes keep them in business and poorly managed patient’s hurt their business, managed healthcare is under no pressure to deliver and will not lose business because patients are a dime a dozen under insurance networks.
So with managed healthcare there is no pressure to perform and doctors tend to become complacent without much of any consequence, you shouldn’t have to fight with your doctor for proper testing, you are the customer and should demand proper testing.
Your doctor may also be following the lead of someone in charge, like a title of “head of endocrinology” which would mean your doctor is a drone.
If your doctor refuses proper testing, you could tell them your Yelp review will reflect it. This might give them cause for concern.
$25 plus draw fee (usually under $10) so it might be cheaper than your copay:
If it’s a paper script write in ft3.
I add test all the time. Dr gets results and they dont remember what they ordered anyway. Lol
Really? The blood draw people don’t question it??
I do it all the time. Even if hand writing is different. Quest or labcorp NEVER questioned me.
If they ask, tell them the office wrote in additional tests. They do not have time to verify and what do they care.
Dr can have office staff write in labs so handwriting can differ.
If u have the script with check boxes, check away. Lol.
Only concern is if the Dx code covers the additional test. 99% of the time they do since the test u are adding is related to your condition. In other words of u add a food allergy panel - lab will be looking for a dx code related to that.
This is for advanced users - but I’ve added dx codes on scripts to when I ordered the test to see if I was allergic to sesame seed oil ( in cypionate vial)
If it makes you feel any better, mine told me I had mild Graves and still refused to test it. Absolutely would not. Why? Because he’s an asshole! That’s why.