Lab Costs for Hormone Test in US?

[Jaclyn Sweet]

Hello,

This is my first post here, I've been lurking for a while, great community, thanks for all the useful info!

I'm a 28 year old MTF transgendered person, I'm thinking about starting HRT to transition. The first thing I need to do is get an idea of where my hormone levels are at now (haven't ever taken any hormones) so my doctor has an idea of what HRT regimen I should be on.

I have natural A cup breasts so I suspect that my estrogen levels are already higher than normal without treatment, or possibly I could be chromosomally XXY.

I have insurance but it has a really high deductible, so it won't be good for much other than help with surgeries and a little off prescriptions. For office visits and labwork I'll be on my own.

I was planning on going in for a routine physical, so the office visit part is covered, and just "happen to mention" my gynecomastia so that they'll do lab tests on my hormone levels.

I am just wondering, what's an average cost for a standard hormone test in the US? I'll be paying for it entirely out of pocket.

Thanks in advance for any responses.

[Alainaluvsu]

Let's see, as per Willis Knighton in Louisiana:

Prolactin Assay-FC = $81.81
Testosterone Total  = $108.99
Thyroid Stimulat Horm (TSH) = 70.92
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) = $44.61
Routine Venipuncture = $9.00
Estradiol - WK =  $117.96
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Total = $433.29

My next test  is only calling for Prolactin, Total T, CMP, and Estradiol, so I can save 70 dollars or so... bringing that total to around $360

I honestly think I'm getting screwed somehow... but idk.

[Jamie D]

Some insurance plans do not cover lab tests without a diagnosis (IDC code). Some plans don't cover transistion-related costs.

When I have my blood hormone levels checked, I ask the doctor to code them as IDC code 611.1 - Gynecomastia.

[Alainaluvsu]

Some insurance plans do not cover lab tests without a diagnosis (IDC code). Some plans don't cover transistion-related costs.

When I have my blood hormone levels checked, I ask the doctor to code them as IDC code 611.1 - Gynecomastia.

Im going to do this. Thank you so much!!!

[Cadence Jean]

The last time that I had estradiol, t levels, and a CMP(Comprehensive Metabolic Panel - makes sure your body systems are running fine), it ran me like $150-$200, inc the blood draw.  That's in west mich.  I'm sure prices vary by state and location.

[Tyler]

All of my lab costs were completely covered by my insurance company

[Cadence Jean]

Will you please adopt me?

All of my lab costs were completely covered by my insurance company

[Tammy Hope]

yet another thing I'll have to do without i guess.

[michelle666]

How often do you have to have the tests done?

[Alainaluvsu]

How often do you have to have the tests done?

Depends on the doctor. I get mine done once every 3 months. But we have yet to determine the right dosage I should be on. Perhaps when my levels normalize, it'll be down to once or twice a year.

[michelle666]

Depends on the doctor. I get mine done once every 3 months. But we have yet to determine the right dosage I should be on. Perhaps when my levels normalize, it'll be down to once or twice a year.

Thats not too bad, I can handle 400 or so every few months. I was worried that it was a couple of times a month.

[Alainaluvsu]

At first it may be once a month as the doctor tries to figure out how rapidly your endocrine system reacts to the hormones. Mine is consistent with the 3 month rule, but she is doing what she wants to do.

Keep in mind that the tests may change. For example, what I listed was my first test. My second test was only for prolactin, total testosterone, estradiol, and CMP. The thyroid test was excluded since it tested normal. Since my prolactin, and metabolic levels were very consistent, and my testosterone remains very effectively suppressed, she is only going to test for estradiol and liver panel. In other words, my first test was $433, my second test will probably be around $360, and my 3rd test will probably be less than $200.

I may point out that I'm under 30 (slightly) with no medical history at a healthy weight. My doctor is also very understanding about trans issues and knows how money can be with us. If you are more of a medical risk, or you get a doctor that couldn't give less of a crap about your personal life, you may find yourself paying for more tests.

Also, that $400 a month doesn't include the doctors visit... my endo costs an extra $410 a visit. This stuff is not cheap at all.

[Cadence Jean]

Also, that $400 a month doesn't include the doctors visit... my endo costs an extra $410 a visit. This stuff is not cheap at all.

Holy ->-bleeped-<-!  My endo charges something like $110 for my checkup visits.  I had the same charge pattern with my lab tests - mucho labs and expense the first time, less the second time, and last time he only checked E levels because we only changed my E dosage.  For the E draw and lab work, I'm looking at ~$80.  Not bad, if I get that done every six months or so.

[Alainaluvsu]

Holy ->-bleeped-<-!  My endo charges something like $110 for my checkup visits.  I had the same charge pattern with my lab tests - mucho labs and expense the first time, less the second time, and last time he only checked E levels because we only changed my E dosage.  For the E draw and lab work, I'm looking at ~$80.  Not bad, if I get that done every six months or so.

Ugh I'm jealous.. 110 for an endo visit? I guess in the end, my endo is wonderful. She costs sooo much, but she writes me doctors notes getting me out of awful work, helps me formulate "medical stories" to tell people to explain the physical changes, and is going to do things like find someone who will perform an orchiectomy even though I haven't done any RL time... under the premise that I stop taking anti androgens. If it weren't for these things, I'd probably go to a GP or something.

[Joelene9]

  What happened to Jaclyn, the starter of this thread?  It has been a month now with the only posting here on Susan's.  Fishing?  Too shy or unsure?  Jaclyn, I hope you are getting help!  Hugs!
  Joelene.

[Alainaluvsu]

I hope my cost layout didn't scare her... if it did.. well, transition is costly...

[Joelene9]

I hope my cost layout didn't scare her... if it did.. well, transition is costly...

It was costly when I was 28, no job and just starting out in the civilian sector.     Today the costs for the HRT treatment and testing cost less than the expensive antidepressant pills that was prescribed to me!  They no worky. 
  Joelene

[michelle666]

Ugh I'm jealous.. 110 for an endo visit? I guess in the end, my endo is wonderful. She costs sooo much, but she writes me doctors notes getting me out of awful work, helps me formulate "medical stories" to tell people to explain the physical changes, and is going to do things like find someone who will perform an orchiectomy even though I haven't done any RL time... under the premise that I stop taking anti androgens. If it weren't for these things, I'd probably go to a GP or something.

What kind of "medical stories" do you use? I've been thinking about how I'm going to explain the physical changes before I'm 100% out if people ask.

[Alainaluvsu]

What kind of "medical stories" do you use? I've been thinking about how I'm going to explain the physical changes before I'm 100% out if people ask.

We formulated testicular cancer. Tumor(s) in the testicles would cause high estradiol levels, effectively suppressing testosterone. It would also explain my eventual orchiectomy.

[Jeneva]

What kind of "medical stories" do you use? I've been thinking about how I'm going to explain the physical changes before I'm 100% out if people ask.

We formulated testicular cancer. Tumor(s) in the testicles would cause high estradiol levels, effectively suppressing testosterone. It would also explain my eventual orchiectomy.

  People are actually going to ask you something personal like that?  Why do you even have to answer it?  Ignore the rude question and move on.  Don't make up a lie because then when you come out they will remember that you lied to them and it will be so much more likely you lose them.