Can I arrange my own lab work?

[pasdetrois]

I've been reading all the threads here about non-statin ways to reduce my cholesterol and have learned alot. I want to try to lower my numbers without prescribed meds. It sounds as if many of you go and get lab tests done without a doc's order? I'd like to do that after one month of my own efforts, as my doc doesn't want to get new lab work until 3 months.

[CobaltBlue]

Originally Posted by pasdetrois

I've been reading all the threads here about non-statin ways to reduce my cholesterol and have learned alot. I want to try to lower my numbers without prescribed meds. It sounds as if many of you go and get lab tests done without a doc's order? I'd like to do that after one month of my own efforts, as my doc doesn't want to get new lab work until 3 months.

pasdetrois,

I haven't seen anyone post in here that they are getting their labs done without a slip from a physician. I think its pcovers, though, that has a home testing kit which allows him to test at anytime. If you look up his posts on it, you will see that there is a good bit of time to time variation. Checking your cholesterol more frequently will probably not give you that much more beneficial info than a quarterly check. Perhaps an analogy would be if someone weighs themself once a week versus, say 3 times a day--any benefit gained from the measurement is overshadowed by the nuisance of having to perform so many repetitive measurements.

[ARIZONA73]

For the purpose of monitoring cholesterol, I really don't see any point in having lab work done on a monthly basis.

As far as having your own blood tests done without the consent of a physician, apparently it can be done. Salvatore954 mentioned this in the Lipoprotein(a) thread on August 31st. He said that he orders all his own blood work, and doesn't even go to a doctor.

[zip2play]

pasdetrois,

A couple thoughts.
Yep, pcovers gets strips (like glucose or keto test strips for diabetics) that test for each lipid component separately with a drop of blood...It's several dollars each so the method isn't cheap unless testing for one component (like HDL which is VERY useful info.)

Unfortunately for labwork you need a vial or two of blood so you need a phlebotomist too draw it...or a friendly non-squeamish nurse/spouse... I'll ask next time I'm near a Quest lab if they'll take blood "off the street.".

BIG drwaback for many is that with insurance the test is free if ordered by a physician and probably a couple hundred bucks if not!!!!!!!!!!!

As Arizona says, you don't need it often unless you are testing efficacy of supplements. Annual lipid testing would allow for only one addition or subraction a year...slow go!
(that's why we all love our guinea pig, pcovers.)

[Willk46]

In the Sacramento area that I live there is a chain of labs called "The Lab". They do a lipid panel for $35. You can usually call late that evening or the next AM and get your results right over the phone.