how to get cheap blood work?

[chamoso]

Any website that offers cheap blood work?

Most websites I see are like $200 or more... Really want to test my Estradiol levels.

Thanks.

 

[Thrasymachus]

PrivateMDlabs.com

Testing done through Quest.

I think you should be able to get what and a few extra tests for less than $120. There's lots of panels to read through to figure out what would be the cheapest way to get all your labs done in one shot to maximize savings.

 

[chamoso]

PrivateMDlabs.com

Testing done through Quest.

I think you should be able to get what and a few extra tests for less than $120. There's lots of panels to read through to figure out what would be the cheapest way to get all your labs done in one shot to maximize savings.

which one is the exact one for estrogen levels? all the ones i see there are like $300 or more? thanks.

 

[Thrasymachus]

Link: scroll down until you see the above test.

Private MD - Buy Lab Tests Online

Order lab tests online safely and securely. Tests include STD tests, Male and Female Adult Wellness tests, Cholesterol tests and more.

www.privatemdlabs.com

 

[chamoso]

thank you so much!!!!

 

[AHomie]

thank you so much!!!!

Make sure you look around for a 15% off coupon. They usually have one

 

[MrMetal]

Marek health

 

[AHomie]

https://www.privatemdlabs.com/lp/hormone_lipid.php Here is a good test that includes lipids

 

[Middleage]

Anyone have experience with the mail in finger prick tests? Seems very simple, just wonder if any good?

 

[Thrasymachus]

Anyone have experience with the mail in finger prick tests? Seems very simple, just wonder if any good?

Capillary samples are a horrible way to collect and test blood.

For whole blood testing like CBC/D you almost always get microclots in the EDTA sample which causes platelet aggregation and that lowers counts for platelets and wbcs and in general causes wonky results for all the other parameters.

For plasma testing for Chem, Lipid, T, E2,.......and so on, you almost always get a sample that is so small with fribrin clots that it causes the analyzer to short sample an already insufficient sample volume. Analyzers these days use very small sample volume, but you need to have a full sized sample (3+mls) to make sure there was sufficient anticoagulant coming in contact with the blood to prevent plasma clotting.

Elizabeth Holmes the gal that thought she could revolutionize the world with micro sample testing, was clueless that this simply can't be done with any accuracy. There is no substitute for someone sticking a needle in a vein and drawing off 4 ml Edta, Heparin, and a clot top or non-additive tube, this way you have plenty of sample to work with, you can ream out the sample for clots and if the analyzer has abnormal results you can run repeat abnormal tests. The only types of routine capillary testing is usually done on newborns for heel sticks to check blood type for RH testing and direct antiglobulin, PKU, Total bilirubin testing to check for jaundice caused by elevated bilirubin, capillary blood gases.

 

[Luxferro]

You can go to Viking Alternative or HormonesForMe. They have the ability to generate a lab order. If you have insurance you can take the lab order to a Quest and pay with insurance. I’ve been getting 0 cost blood work this way.

 

[Middleage]

Capillary samples are a horrible way to collect and test blood.

For whole blood testing like CBC/D you almost always get microclots in the EDTA sample which causes platelet aggregation and that lowers counts for platelets and wbcs and in general causes wonky results for all the other parameters.

For plasma testing for Chem, Lipid, T, E2,.......and so on, you almost always get a sample that is so small with fribrin clots that it causes the analyzer to short sample an already insufficient sample volume. Analyzers these days use very small sample volume, but you need to have a full sized sample (3+mls) to make sure there was sufficient anticoagulant coming in contact with the blood to prevent plasma clotting.

Elizabeth Holmes the gal that thought she could revolutionize the world with micro sample testing, was clueless that this simply can't be done with any accuracy. There is no substitute for someone sticking a needle in a vein and drawing off 4 ml Edta, Heparin, and a clot top or non-additive tube, this way you have plenty of sample to work with, you can ream out the sample for clots and if the analyzer has abnormal results you can run repeat abnormal tests. The only types of routine capillary testing is usually done on newborns for heel sticks to check blood type for RH testing and direct antiglobulin, PKU, Total bilirubin testing to check for jaundice caused by elevated bilirubin, capillary blood gases.

Thank You so much for taking the time for this reply. I learned more with it than I could have ever done on my own.
I had a quick question to add. I've seen a few online clinics/tests saying it's a saliva test? Just spit in a small vial and send in. I can't believe this would be even close, but would really love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks so much.
PS: I should add 'Why' I keep looking for a shortcut.
Many years ago, I had a really bad IV drug problem. DESTROYED my veins(the accessable ones). They always have major issues trying to get one. Mostly a doctor w/ ultrasound has to try. If IV is needed, they go in my neck.
Eventually they'll get the blood, but it's a horrible process and reminder of horrid decisions. So... Obviously, I avoid it when possible.
Honestly, I go if I must, but any other method would be such a relief. Oh well.
BTW, I quit all that nonsense over 10yrs ago. Unfortunately, so much scar tissue prevents veins from returning/healing as before.

 

[rootrobot]

Marek Health has better prices than Private MD Labs on pretty much everything I think, goes through Labcorp

Labs

FIND THE RIGHT LABS TO ANALYZE YOUR HEALTH Marek helps you start the process to find a diagnostic location and learn more about your health. Receive lab requisition

marekhealth.com

 

[Thrasymachus]

Thank You so much for taking the time for this reply. I learned more with it than I could have ever done on my own.
I had a quick question to add. I've seen a few online clinics/tests saying it's a saliva test? Just spit in a small vial and send in. I can't believe this would be even close, but would really love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks so much.
PS: I should add 'Why' I keep looking for a shortcut.
Many years ago, I had a really bad IV drug problem. DESTROYED my veins(the accessable ones). They always have major issues trying to get one. Mostly a doctor w/ ultrasound has to try. If IV is needed, they go in my neck.
Eventually they'll get the blood, but it's a horrible process and reminder of horrid decisions. So... Obviously, I avoid it when possible.
Honestly, I go if I must, but any other method would be such a relief. Oh well.
BTW, I quit all that nonsense over 10yrs ago. Unfortunately, so much scar tissue prevents veins from returning/healing as before.

For IV drug users you almost always have to go off the beaten path to find usable veins.

I've drawn blood under armpits, chest area, over the top of patients eyebrow. A blood pressure leg cuff up high can show veins where drug users usually don't try.

If all else fails and blood draws are infrequent then I use to just draw from the brachial artery which isn't too bad if you go in slow with a straight shot 12ml syringe to avoid artery spasm and don't dig at all and make sure you pack it down with lots of gauze and nonstick dressing to avoid hematoma.

There is no substitute for blood testing. I've never personally performed any sort of saliva testing so I can't comment how it compares with blood, but I gotta think the accuracy would be very questionable.

 

[Thrasymachus]

Marek Health has better prices than Private MD Labs on pretty much everything I think, goes through Labcorp

Labs

FIND THE RIGHT LABS TO ANALYZE YOUR HEALTH Marek helps you start the process to find a diagnostic location and learn more about your health. Receive lab requisition

marekhealth.com

That's a nice find. Self service labs for prices far cheaper than I've seen anywhere else through labcorp, can't get better than that. I'm gonna try them for my next labs.

 

[OldBenkenobi]

I've done a decent amount of research to find the cheapest and broadest testing.

I use Ulta Labs for Testosterone (ultrasensitive total and free) with SHBG and Estradiol (ultrasensitive for only $34). Sign up for emails and you'll get 20% too. I then use Marek Health for everything else. It usually costs me around 160$ and it covers everything you can imagine (lipid panel, CBC panel, LH, FSH, PSA etc.)

Also good to note that the Estradiol test is ultrasensitive if you're a man because lower levels can not accurately be read with a standard test.

 

[rootrobot]

@OldBenkenobi Good tip thanks.

 

[Luxferro]

Guys if you have insurance you can just use my suggestion. I get Total T (LC/MS), Free T, ultrasensitive E2, SHBG, Pregnenolone, Progesterone, IGF1, DHEA, Prolactin, Lipids, and CBC for $0 cost out of pocket each month.

 

[Thrasymachus]

Guys if you have insurance you can just use my suggestion. I get Total T (LC/MS), Free T, ultrasensitive E2, SHBG, Pregnenolone, Progesterone, IGF1, DHEA, Prolactin, Lipids, and CBC for $0 cost out of pocket each month.

Unfortunately not all insurance plans are that generous.

And honestly I would question a standing lab order every month for those specific labs. I don't know of too many insurance companies that aren't gonna take a look at that set of labs and ask what's going on, as this seems to be elective testing and not really medically necessary at such a frequent interval.

Most will run labs at 0,3,6, 12 and then every 12 months after that if you're under a doctors care for hormone replacement.

And of course there are those like myself that prefer to pay out of pocket for labs using online orders to avoid my medical records ever being known by anyone except for me. So no one is gonna be able to pull up my patient chart and find my labs that have often been trashed in the past due to pushing myself past where I should have.

 

[Luxferro]

Unfortunately not all insurance plans are that generous.

And honestly I would question a standing lab order every month for those specific labs. I don't know of too many insurance companies that aren't gonna take a look at that set of labs and ask what's going on, as this seems to be elective testing and not really medically necessary at such a frequent interval.

Most will run labs at 0,3,6, 12 and then every 12 months after that if you're under a doctors care for hormone replacement.

And of course there are those like myself that prefer to pay out of pocket for labs using online orders to avoid my medical records ever being known by anyone except for me. So no one is gonna be able to pull up my patient chart and find my labs that have often been trashed in the past due to pushing myself past where I should have.

Fair point. I get this blood work through a doctor at a TRT clinic. Insurance hasn’t asked me any questions thus far. I can understand the part about not wanting it on your records but the docs at these TRT clinics manage so many patients it’s not like they even look at your blood work TBH