Cost Efficient Way to get blood tests?

General Discussion
#1

I’ve got a grand on my flex account and will be using it for blood tests. However I live in Washington DC and am not confident that the new Endo (blue cross coveredI will be going to will even consent to all the tests posted on this thread:

propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=92

Has anyone gotten these tests done in an individual lab and paid out of pocket? I’m trying to get a feel for the costs of them to know if it’s better to avoid the doc altogether now and just pay for the tests myself or actually go to the doc and get the first wave under insurance and then try to get the rest independently.

I’ll be posting my previous blood tests over the weekend and hopefully will have some interesting info to share after the new results are back next month.

#2

If you want to pay for tests in USA without doctor’s requisition form, try privatemdlabs.com/

You can get pricing there.

#3

martin,

I’m in the same boat as you on this one. I had my first blood test 3.5 months ago and on Tuesday I’m meeting with the endo dr. I had to wait 3 months to get an apt with an endo dr here.

I’m sure they will want to run their own blood test and compare to the last one. I didn’t specify all of the items on that list for my first test, but I will be sure to do so this time even if I have to pay for it out of pocket.

I am anxious to get my 2nd blood test taken and back. I might have mine by mid October. I am most curious to see if there has been a change in the free T.

My first test was rather limited and only included what my primary care dr thought was fit. I will post a copy of both when I get them back, so that everyone can see them as well.

#4

Thanks Boston, I’ll do the same. Right now I’ve got an appointment with an Endo who requested some initial blood work but limits mostly just to Testosterone (not even free T). I’ll have this work done and I’m meeting with her on the 8th to discuss when I’ll lobby for more tests. Paying out of pocket will get pricey.

#5

Hi MartinM,

I just joined this website. I live in DC as well. Who is the doctor you are going to see. I want to see one now.

Thank you

#6

Sorry and one more question. I stop having propecia 4 days ago after 3 years of having eat. What do you recommend on the way I should stop using it, before seeing the doctor.

Thank you very much

#7

What do you mean by this?

Read FAQ at top of site, it has info on quitting.

propeciahelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7

#8

The first one I saw is the best in the area I’ve heard, Giang Bach, Arlington Hospital. There may be some better ones at Hopkins or GW, I’m not sure. I’m seeing her colleague next week Dr. Go. www.endochrinologygroup.com.

Dr. Bach had said others had come to her with Propecia related issues but she didn’t know how long the side effects would last. She said it was scary. When I saw her last year I was only off for a few months and thought I was crazy, so many things were going wrong with me.

It might be good to get a blood test asap before the propecia is out of your system, check the blood test thread for recommended ones. That way you’ll have a baseline to track your change.