needing private testing in the US

[Tiff567]

Good morning, or afternoon. I am aware this group is not based in the US but thIs group has offered so much advice concerning thyroid issues, more so then any other group I’ve found, For this I am grateful!

I am needing private testing available in the US. My doctor has passed off my request for more detailed testing so I’ll have to do it myself. I did do an Everlywell test in July and the doctor wouldn’t even look at them. She said they are to unreliable.

so before i delve into my details, I know I need the more detailed tests done as well as the specific vitamins.

Anyone here in the US and if so, where to get private testing? Thank you in advance.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Testing in USA

stopthethyroidmadness.com/r...

[Tiff567 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you so very much! I will check that website out and proceed.

[humanbean in reply to SlowDragon]

I have always found this sentence on that link appalling :

Self testing not allowed in these US states NY, NJ, RI, MA or MD, though Ulta has worked it out with Massachusetts, and ZRT only mentions they can’t send to New York and Maryland, and California can only be sent with a doctor’s approval.

and I feel sorry for people who live there with thyroid disease.

[jrbarnes in reply to humanbean]

I'm thankful I don't live in one of those states and can get self testing.

[Tiff567 in reply to jrbarnes]

I also don’t live in those states. It is a shame they make it difficult in those states.

[Batty1 in reply to Tiff567]

It would be helpful to tell us what state you live in.

[Barrett582]

l am in Texas and I use Ulta labs. Here their testing is done through Quest Diagnostics. Ultra’s prices are quite reasonable. Quest is the lab that most doctors use, so your doctor should accept the values. Good luck.

[jrbarnes in reply to Barrett582]

I'm also in Texas and use Ulta labs! Did so this morning. Was in and out of Quest in 5 min with no wait. My results usually arrive in a day and the prices are good. I take advantage of their discounts.

[Tiff567 in reply to Barrett582]

Thank you. I am checking out the various websites. I’m so glad there are options!

[Msmustang1981]

Hello! I live in the US and use MyMedLab.com. They even have panels you can purchase. You can order all of the tests and then go to the lab for drawing (I use Quest). The Quest website now also sells private testing but I find them to be expensive.

[Tiff567 in reply to Msmustang1981]

I’m doing price comparisons so see which is less expensive. Thanks for the info!

[Tiff567]

so to add to my info, I began taking 25mg of levo around Feb of this year. Since then my TSH has gone from 5 to 1. One being the test I just took yesterday. But I still feel tired and my hair is still falling out and I am gaining weight still. Which is why I’d like to get more detailed blood work. Once I do, I will repost those details for further assistance. Thanks again. This forum is great.

[Batty1]

depending on where your located in the US you can get labs done at Walk in labs I have used them several times and had absolutely no issues.

[FearFracture]

I have Hashimoto’s hypothyroidism and I’m in the US. My endocrinologist orders all of my labs through LapCorp.

What tests are you looking for? It might be worth it to ask a different doctor. If it’s your PCP refusing to order the tests, ask for a referral to an endocrinologist to get the proper bloodwork ordered. Also, you might ask your OB/GYN to order the tests. Lastly, if your insurance offers Teladoc as an option, you can set an appt over the phone and request the tests.

[humanbean in reply to FearFracture]

The whole point of using private thyroid testing is to avoid having to see a doctor or get permission from a doctor. People don't usually use insurance to do private testing, they pay out of pocket. Then they aren't constrained to getting only those tests that an insurance company approves of.

Many doctors, for example, only get TSH tested, or TSH plus Free T4. But to really understand your thyroid health and how you might improve it you would need to get testing for TSH, Free T4, and Free T3. In some circumstances you might want to get thyroid antibodies tested. And getting certain vitamins and minerals tested is also vital in many cases because they are commonly low in patients with thyroid disease.

This does mean that people have to start learning how to interpret results of the tests they pay for. But that is why forums like this one are so useful - they can not only do the interpretation for you in some cases but can give you links which will help you to do it yourself.

Be aware though, that the members of this forum cannot be assumed to be doctors. This is a peer-to-peer forum where ordinary people are helping themselves and each other.

[FearFracture in reply to humanbean]

My doctor orders all those tests and most ppl would prefer to have medical tests covered by insurance when possible instead of having to pay out of pocket. Sometimes it’s just a matter of going to the right doctor. That’s why I made the suggestion.

[Tiff567 in reply to FearFracture]

Thank you for the reply. My family doctor has already disregarded my request for further tests and after she sees the results from yesterday, she will not proceed. She offered her logical explanation on my request for why a more detailed test isn’t necessary. Yes, I can go see an endocrinologist , I don’t even need a referral. The backlog in my area for specialists can be a few months. I prefer to get some tests now and see if it’s something to pursue with a specialist.

[FearFracture in reply to Tiff567]

It's unfortunate that we are at the mercy of doctors. I'm not happy with my endocrinologist--his only solution for anything is to write a prescription. I have both Hashimoto's (diagnosed in 2017) and Osteoporosis (diagnosed in 2019, at age 50). I barely had any time after getting my Hashimoto's somewhat under control before getting the osteoporosis diagnosis. LOL. I'm not thrilled with my endocrinologist because he's not proactive at all; however, if I request bloodwork, he will write the order. He seems on top of the thyroid tests to a degree but other than reading a radiologist summary report, he has no clue about osteoporosis. I had an appt with him last week and once again he didn't have my full DEXA report and when I handed him the CD I had of the full DEXA and told him he could make a copy, he told me he didn't have time for that--the doctor didn't have time to stick the CD in his laptop that he was working during my appt to pull up my DEXA report and look at it--ridiculous. Hope you are able to find the tests that you are looking to have done privately.

[Batty1 in reply to FearFracture]

My Endo does not order every thyroid test for me so I have resorted to paying for the one he won’t order (FT3) he doesn’t think it’s important… agh!

[ICE187]

Quest Diagnostics offers private testing. Not sure about Labcorp yet.

[Quest64]

I'm in the US also and love this group. I test myself all the time outside of my doctor's orders. It depends on which state you are in as some states it's not legal. I'm in Texas and it's fine here but like New York I know it's illegal. Where are you?

[Batty1 in reply to Quest64]

Where she is located is a mystery.

[FearFracture in reply to Quest64]

Illegal? What do you mean by that? That it’s illegal to do private testing?

[helvella in reply to FearFracture]

As I am in the UK, I do not understand the issues. But there are several sites which say things like this:

New York has some laws that prevent the two primary blood labs (Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp) from working with direct-to-consumer blood test ordering companies.

selftestable.com/new-york-b...

And I have a vague memory there is or was an issue with posting blood samples in some parts of the USA.

[Tiff567 in reply to helvella]

Things can vary state by state, what’s allowed, pricing, ect. Since we don’t have a national healthcare system.

[Poniesrfun]

palomahealth.com/ offers testing, consultation and prescriptions. A problem with DIY testing is that you still need a physician prescription for meds.

But after firing a few endocrinologists my PCP (an NP) orders my tests for me and orders my meds.

Patti in AZ

[lidoplace]

when in Florida I go to the local walk-in hospital lab which is by far the cheapest and saves time looking for discounts for quest and labcorp on line.