Getting my blood tested myself..?

[KamTheMan]

Hey everyone. I recently moved, and while my NP has been very helpful in getting me a script to last the next few months, I was still supposed to get my levels checked right around now. But my sudden move messed that up. And I don't know if I'll be able to make it back to Colorado this winter with how much I plan to be working. Anyways, because of my size/body type I'm worried my dose might still be too low, so I'd really like to get it checked as soon as possible. Does anyone have experience with scheduling to just get your levels checked with like a GP? And does anyone know the standard costs just to check my T levels? I really appreciate any help with this.

[Bimmer Guy]

Hey everyone. I recently moved, and while my NP has been very helpful in getting me a script to last the next few months, I was still supposed to get my levels checked right around now. But my sudden move messed that up. And I don't know if I'll be able to make it back to Colorado this winter with how much I plan to be working. Anyways, because of my size/body type I'm worried my dose might still be too low, so I'd really like to get it checked as soon as possible. Does anyone have experience with scheduling to just get your levels checked with like a GP? And does anyone know the standard costs just to check my T levels? I really appreciate any help with this.

I assume you don't have insurance?

I would call your NP and see if she would be willing to mail you a script for the lab work.  She will then get the results and talk with you by telephone.  That skips over everything. 

[FTMax]

I believe - and I may have understood this wrong - but my doctor told me if I was ever traveling domestically around the time when I needed to get my levels checked out, that she would just need to forward my paperwork to the nearest LabCorp location and I could drop in and get it tested for whatever their co-pay is with my insurance. Yours may be different. The lab attached to the clinic I go to is run by LabCorp, so they may have some kind of agreement there.

[Randi]

http://www.privatemdlabs.com/

These folks will order the tests for you and let you receive the results online.
They use your local LabCorp office.

[KamTheMan]

http://www.privatemdlabs.com/

These folks will order the tests for you and let you receive the results online.
They use your local LabCorp office.

Hey very cool thank you! Does anyone know what specific tests I should select?

[aleon515]

Hey very cool thank you! Does anyone know what specific tests I should select?

If you are strapped for cash, the most important tests are blood count and liver function. You should get your cholesterol checked but not every time perhaps. The two kind of trickiest conditions are liver damage and high red blood count.

--Jay

[KamTheMan]

If you are strapped for cash, the most important tests are blood count and liver function. You should get your cholesterol checked but not every time perhaps. The two kind of trickiest conditions are liver damage and high red blood count.

--Jay

Thanks Jay! Definitely gonna get those three checked because I haven't had blood work done since my two month mark, before my dose was doubled. For my T levels though, am I gonna check my 'total' levels? And when would be the best time. I'm currently on weekly injections, so should I try to get tested halfway between shots?

[xsmithersx]

I've had my levels checked at my local "ANY LAB TEST NOW" place. Do you have those in your area? Its a walk-in and they email you your results.

[Bimmer Guy]

Thanks Jay! Definitely gonna get those three checked because I haven't had blood work done since my two month mark, before my dose was doubled. For my T levels though, am I gonna check my 'total' levels? And when would be the best time. I'm currently on weekly injections, so should I try to get tested halfway between shots?

Yes, between shots.