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You can order your own blood work tests without going to a doctor, has anyone here ever done that?

 
Vision Thing
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12/03/2013 10:17 AM

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You can order your own blood work tests without going to a doctor, has anyone here ever done that?
There's this site where you can order blood analysis tests without having to see a doctor:

[link to directlabs.com (secure)]

There's a participating lab very close to me, very convenient.

I could order the test online, and go get blood drawn nearby, and have the results sent to me.

They have a December special for sixty bucks to get ten basic analysis done.

I haven't been to a doctor in 22 years, should I do it?

I can't really afford the sixty bucks but I wonder if it's a good idea to spring for it anyway.

Last Edited by Vision Thing on 01/02/2014 09:59 AM
LisaDiane

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12/03/2013 11:38 AM
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Re: You can order your own blood work tests without going to a doctor, has anyone here ever done that?
I checked the website and it offers a very good comprehensive test for $59 where it is normally $597. By paying cash, you can save tons of money and see what is up with your body.

Well worth it.
LisaDiane
LisaDiane

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12/03/2013 11:42 AM
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Re: You can order your own blood work tests without going to a doctor, has anyone here ever done that?
I checked the website and it offers a very good comprehensive test for $59 where it is normally $597. By paying cash, you can save tons of money and see what is up with your body.

Well worth it.
 Quoting: LisaDiane


Direct labs must own Lab Corp ( which is throughout my state.) I had no idea that they now take cash patients saving you hundreds if not thousands of dollars. They must have done this in response to the highly successful franchise "Any Lab Test Now".

I have used ALTN on numerous occasions to take control of my health. I have found issues that the doctors have not found.
LisaDiane
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12/03/2013 11:43 AM
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Re: You can order your own blood work tests without going to a doctor, has anyone here ever done that?
Do it, it might be important!
Anonymous Coward
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12/03/2013 11:49 AM
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Re: You can order your own blood work tests without going to a doctor, has anyone here ever done that?
How about just testing your own blood?
Anonymous Coward
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12/03/2013 12:00 PM
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Re: You can order your own blood work tests without going to a doctor, has anyone here ever done that?
Thank you SO MUCH for this info!!!! I didn't know about this and it will really help me. Thanks a bunch!smile_hear
Anonymous Coward
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12/03/2013 12:04 PM
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Re: You can order your own blood work tests without going to a doctor, has anyone here ever done that?
How would you read the damn results?

Then treat yourself?
Anonymous Coward
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12/03/2013 12:26 PM
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Re: You can order your own blood work tests without going to a doctor, has anyone here ever done that?
How would you read the damn results?

Then treat yourself?
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 22674132

The results of blood tests are always given alongside normal ranges. If any results are out of range, high, or low, you do further research.
Vision Thing  (OP)

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12/03/2013 05:09 PM

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Re: You can order your own blood work tests without going to a doctor, has anyone here ever done that?
How would you read the damn results?

Then treat yourself?
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 22674132


I've been taking care of my own health for 22 years without a doctor, this just gives me more information to work with.
Vision Thing  (OP)

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United States
12/03/2013 05:11 PM

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Re: You can order your own blood work tests without going to a doctor, has anyone here ever done that?
Thanks for the replies you guys, and the encouragement.

I had never heard of this either, hope it helps someone.

Seems like it's taking someone out of the loop, not sure if insurance companies are totally out of the loop. I haven't gotten as far as reading the fine print.

Paying up front without an intermediary must be more private than using a (nonexistent) insurance company and doctor's office?
Vision Thing  (OP)

User ID: 12855271
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12/31/2013 01:08 PM

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Re: You can order your own blood work tests without going to a doctor, has anyone here ever done that?
Today is the last day to order this test for 59.00 which is normally 97.00.

I had thought I wasn't going to do it (don't really have the money) but now that the special is running out, I might pop for it.

Here's the description of all the stuff it covers:

[link to www.directlabs.com (secure)]

You can add other tests a la carte, like if I wanted to check my hormone levels, or get a more in depth thyroid profile, or something.
Anonymous Coward
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Ireland
12/31/2013 02:18 PM
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Re: You can order your own blood work tests without going to a doctor, has anyone here ever done that?
Go for it OP - sounds like a great deal.

You yanks have excellent lab options - europe is so expensive for the type of order online labs.

Hormones i would get saliva tested rather than blood.
Blood gives whole values of that hormone and not the free values available for use in the body.
It's akin to measuring how much food is in the city compared to the amount of food in your fridge ;-)

Saliva Estrogen (E2), Progesterone, Testosterone, DHEAs, Cortisol is a good panel to go for.
Anonymous Coward
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12/31/2013 02:37 PM
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Re: You can order your own blood work tests without going to a doctor, has anyone here ever done that?
Hey awesome find! I'm in for a set of tests. Hope nothings outta wack cause followups under obumercare could REALLY suck balls
Vision Thing  (OP)

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12/31/2013 07:13 PM

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Re: You can order your own blood work tests without going to a doctor, has anyone here ever done that?
Thanks for those last couple of encouraging posts you guys.

I did go ahead and make the order, 59.00 that was a deal that I couldn't pass up. Normally I wouldn't care about any of this medical stuff, would just keep going the way I've been going with good faith in my good health. But what the heck I'm not getting any younger and it's been decades since I had anything checked out.

I really like the idea of bypassing all the middlemen, bypassing the doctor's office, the insurance company, the bureaucracy.

It's just information. I've been a vegetarian for more than half my life, many decades, who knows maybe I have some horrible anemia problem and don't know it, right?

Most likely I am healthy as a horse just like always but would be nice to know, to tell my relatives that are always badgering me about why I don't pay for medical insurance that I can't afford and don't want.
Anonymous Coward
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01/01/2014 10:36 AM
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Re: You can order your own blood work tests without going to a doctor, has anyone here ever done that?
you have to have a specific thing you are testing the blood for. There is no generic 'blood test'.
Anonymous Coward
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01/01/2014 10:57 AM
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Re: You can order your own blood work tests without going to a doctor, has anyone here ever done that?
If you are low income and haven't been to a doc, look into your local community health clinic. Fees are VERY low (check your eligibility on their web-site and documentation you need to prove income). Many do in-house blood work by their own Doctors so save money for all in that manner. And, no delay in blood work plus they know how to read the results.
Vision Thing  (OP)

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United States
01/02/2014 09:58 AM

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Re: You can order your own blood work tests without going to a doctor, has anyone here ever done that?
you have to have a specific thing you are testing the blood for. There is no generic 'blood test'.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 51897514


This is what the one I ordered covers, it is called "Comprehensive Wellness Profile", I'm sure I stated that earlier:

[link to www.directlabs.com (secure)]


Complete Blood Count

WBC—White blood cells are the body's primary defense against disease. White blood cells help fight infection.
RBC—Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to and carbon dioxide away from all cells.
Hemoglobin—A chemical compound inside red cells that transports oxygen through the blood stream to all cells of the body. Oxygen is needed for healthy organs. Hemoglobin gives the red color to blood.
Hematocrit—Hematocrit measures the amount of space red blood cells take up in the blood.
MCV—MCV reflects the size of red blood cells by expressing the volume occupied by a single red blood cell.
MCH Mean—Corpuscular Hemoglobin is one way to measure the average hemoglobin concentration within red blood cells.
MCHC—MCHC measures the average concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells. It is most valuable in evaluating therapy for anemia because Hemoglobin and Hemotacrit are used, not R.B.C., in the calculation.
RDW—Red cell distribution width (RDW) is a calculation of the variation in the size of your RBC's.
Platelets—Blood cell particles involved with the forming of blood clots.
Neutrophils, Lymphocytes, Monocytes, Eosinophils, and Basophils deal with white blood cell function. Important to the body's defense against infection and also important in the assessment of nutritional status. These tests are based upon percentages.
Neutrophils (Absolute), Lymphocytes (Absolute), Monocytes (Absolute), Eosinophils (Absolute), and Basophils (Absolute) deal with white blood cell function. Important to the body's defense against infection and also important in the assessment of nutritional status. These tests are based upon total count.
Immature Granulocytes and Immature Grans (Abs) deal with white blood cell function. These tests check the maturity, percentage and total count, of immature neutrophils, which can be neutrophilic, acidophilic, or basophilic in nature.
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Thyroid Panel

Total T-4 (Thyroxine)-Thyroxine is the thyroid function that contains four atoms of iodine. It is the measurement of the total T4 concentration in the blood stream.
T-3 uptake-This test is an indirect measurement of unsaturated thyroxine binding globulin in the blood.
Free—Thyroxine Index (FTI) T-7-This index is a calculation used to correct the estimated total thyroxine for the amount of thyroxine binding globulin present. It uses the T4 value and the T-uptake ration.
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)-TSH, produced by the anterior pituitary gland, causes the release and distribution of stored thyroid hormones.
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Lipid Profile

Cholesterol, Total—Cholesterol is a critical fat that is a structural component of cell membrane and plasma lipoproteins, and is important in the synthesis of steroid hormones, glucocorticoids, and bile acids. Mostly synthesized in the liver, some is absorbed through diet, especially one high in saturated fats.
HDL Cholesterol—High-density lipoproteins are believed to take cholesterol away from cells and transport it back to the liver for processing or removal. They have become known as the "good" cholesterol.
LDL Cholesterol—Low-density lipoproteins contain the greatest percentage of cholesterol and may be responsible for depositing cholesterol on the artery walls. For that reason, they are known as the "bad" cholesterol.
Cholesterol/HDL Ratio—This ratio is calculated by dividing the total cholesterol by the HDL cholesterol and is used for determining relative risk for developing cardiovascular heart disease.
Triglycerides—Triglycerides are fat in the blood responsible for providing energy to the cells of the body.
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Liver Profile

Protein, Total—Proteins are the most abundant compound in serum. The protein makeup of the individual is of important diagnostic significance because of protein's involvement in enzymes, hormones, and antibodies as well as osmotic pressure balance, maintaining acid-base balance, and as a reserve source of nutrition for the body's tissues and muscles.
Albumin, Serum—Albumin is the major constituent of serum protein (usually over 50%). It is manufactured by the liver from the amino acids taken from the diet. It helps in osmotic pressure regulation, nutrient transport, and waste removal.
Globulin, Total—Globulin, a larger protein than albumin, has many diverse functions such as, the carrier of some hormones, lipids, metals, and antibodies.
Albumin/Globulin Ratio—Calculated by dividing the albumin by the globulin.
Bilirubin, Total—A byproduct of the breakdown of hemoglobin from red blood cells in the liver, bilirubin is a good indication of the liver's function. Excreted into the bile, bilirubin gives the bile its pigmentation.
Alkaline Phosphatase—A body protein important in diagnosing proper bone and liver functions.
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)—An enzyme found mostly in the heart, muscles, liver, kidney, brain, and red blood cells.
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST or SGOT)—An enzyme found in skeletal and heart muscle, liver and other organs.
Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT or SGPT)—An enzyme found primarily in the liver.
GGT—Also known as Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, GGT helps detect liver and bile duct injury.
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Kidney Panel

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)—A by-product of protein metabolism eliminated through the kidneys.
Creatinine, Serum—Creatinine is the waste product of muscle metabolism. Its level is a reflection of the body's muscle mass.
Uric Acid—Another by-product of protein metabolism eliminated through the kidneys.
BUN/Creatinine—Ratio calculated by dividing the BUN by the Creatinine.
Glomerular Filtration (eGFR)—Provides an assessment of the filtering capacity of the kidney.
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Iron

Iron, Total—Iron is necessary for the formation of some proteins, hemoglobin, myoglobulin, and cytochrome. Also, it is necessary for oxygen transport, cellular respiration, and peroxide deactivation.
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Fluids, Electrolytes & Minerals

Chloride, Serum—Similar to sodium, it helps to maintain the body's electrolyte balance.
Potassium—Helps to control the nerves and muscles.
Sodium, Serum—One of the major salts in the body fluid; sodium is important in the body's water balance and the electrical activity of nerves and muscles.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)—CO2 level is related to the respiratory exchange of carbon dioxide in the lungs; is part of the body's buffering system. Generally when used with other electrolytes, it is a good indicator of acidity and alkalinity.
Calcium—A mineral essential for development and maintenance of healthy bones and teeth. It is important also for the normal function of muscles, nerves and blood clotting.
Phosphorus—Together with calcium, it is essential for healthy development of bones and teeth. Associated with hormone imbalance, bone disease and kidney disease. It is found mainly in bones and teeth.
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Glucose

Glucose— Glucose, formed by the digestion of carbohydrates and the conversion of glycogen by the liver, is the primary source of energy for most cells. It is regulated by insulin, glucagon, thyroid hormone, liver enzymes, and adrenal hormones.
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GLP