My doc doesn’t fell it necessary to test e2, how do get lab work done elsewhere even if you must pay out of pocket.
I know I need a different trt doc
Well, you should be able to go to a patient service center for one of the major labs and ask for a draw and bloodwork to be done.
I don’t know that for sure.
Take a look here:
http://www.questdiagnostics.com/
I believe they have their test menu on the website along with their PSC locations.
Ooops. Looks like I’m wrong. Looks like they require a doctor to place the order and want you to show up at the PSC with a Quest requisition form.
Sorry.
If you join Life Extension Foundation you can get bloodwork done through them. They use LabCorp. A doctor will fill out the form and then LEF will mail it to you. You go to a LabCorp facility and they draw your blood. LEF will mail you your results in a week.
I don’t know how accurate LabCorp is. I’ve tested E2 through them many times and there is a big difference between LabCorp and Quest in my opinion. You can see my post “Conflicting Numbers From Labs” to see what I’m talking about. Good luck.
[quote]oldpipes wrote:
My doc doesn’t fell it necessary to test e2, how do get lab work done elsewhere even if you must pay out of pocket.
I know I need a different trt doc[/quote]
a lot of doctors forget that they are in the SERVICE industry. Some of them take the attitude that they are doing you a favor. If your doc isnt comfortable providing for your healthcare needs find another
The fault lies just as much with patients as it does with doctors. If you don’t like being walked on, get up off the floor.
FWIW - while my Doc didn’t see the point in testing for some of the things I asked about, in the end he was willing to do whatever I wanted to spend the money on.
I’d consider finding another Doc, even if it’s just for the bloodwork (but if you want legal HRT someone is going to have to write the scrips). If you’re on a health plan surely there’s a website with a search facility… Make some calls. Consider a Doc that deals more with Sport or possibly Geriatric medicine - someone that deals more with hormones…
JMO
Don
Generally, labs will only do blood work with a doctor’s order.
LEF dot ORG will let you buy labs, and they have a doctor who will order them, then you go to a nearby Labcorp for the draw. They send the results to the ordering physician, who sends them to you without diagnosis or interpretation.
[quote]bigdawg011 wrote:
…who sends them to you without diagnosis or interpretation.
[/quote]
So do you know if it’s legitimate to claim this as a “medical expense” on your income tax? Do you know if this can be submitted to insurance for coverage?
I’m not an expert, but my best guess is no to both. In the case of the LEF test, the money you spend goes to LEF, you’re not paying their doctor directly and you’re not his patient. LEF’s primary business is selling vitamins. You can’t claim vitamins as a medical expense and I would venture that the IRS would see ordering anything from LEF as all the same thing.
In the case of insurance, you can call yours and ask them but my insurance only pays for things ordered by my/their doctor. Anything I do on my own is on me.