Vitamin D Testing

[Barb135]

I asked my pcp for a lab order to get my calcium, vitamin D and PTH tested.  He refused, saying that it was totally unnecessary (typical of this doctor).  

I know a lab near my house that will test the calcium without a lab order - it just won't be covered by insurance because the insurance co. requires us to use a specific lab.  For $35, I'm not concerned about that...

I found an advertisement for a "blood spot test" that I can order online.  Has anyone done this type of test? Is it accurate?

[ChitChatNine]

I don't know if the spot test for home is accurate or not .. mine was thru LabCorp and about $300 ....

I'm going to try and post on Dr. Lupo's forum but not sure if I can get in or not and maybe he can help us out here.

C~

[Smilerdeb]

You are on the right road Babr.
Sometimes (actually many times lol) we have to 'go against' what the Docs tell us and take our own health into our own hands.
My attitude was.....I am living in he// now so what difference does it make if I become my own advocate and take matters into my own hands.
Too many years and too much time is 'lost' listening to some Docs who know nothing about thyroid issues and only go by 'textbook reference'.
I believe we are all different and we all have different genes, different symptoms.
Go with your 'gut feeling; and do the test.....
At least one way or another , you will be prepared for the new Doc in September, armed with results.

It is NOT your fault and I get so frustrated when I hear Docs telling people they are 'fat' due to diet when it actual fact...it is hormone related.
Docs 'accept' menopause symptoms so why cant they accept thyroid symptoms.
T4 med only works for some (me included) but I am also of the belief that it doesnt work for everyone.
Whatever it takes to feel better and feel normal..do it.

We only have one life and a lot of the years are wasted on Doctors garbage.

I am on a T4 med but I do know that if it hadnt worked for me or if it fails me in the future, I wont hesitate in searching for the med that DOES work for me.
I always referred to my thyroid issues as 'my journey'.....I still do.
Although my journey is now over 9for the time being at least) but if I ever have to take that 'journey ' again........I will be at the front of the queue waiting for the starting point.
I wont settle for 2nd best.
I wanted 'peace of mind' and I got it but it took me a long time and a lot of wasted years.
Dont waste those years....do what you have too.

And NEVER settle for 2nd best.
Hugs

[Barb135]

Well, Deb, I probably need for you to come be my health care advocate (((hugs to you))), cuz I'm certain that you wouldn't mind kicking some .. (ahem) rear ends ....lol  ......I'm one of those people who has patience that SEEMS to go on forever because I just KNOW people are going realize their mistakes eventually......lol - but, as my kids used to say "Mom goes and goes and goes, but when mom's had enough, she's had enough and you better not be in her way".  Oh just for your info, they DID both arrive into their 30's totally intact and aside from a couple of autoimmune diseases (son with type 1 diabetes since age 10, daughter with lupus) they are both doing fine.........lol  Then here's mom with Hashi's and pernicious anemia - hmm, guess we have something going here, huh??

I think I'm going to order the blood spot (home) test and not worry about the doctor any more.  I'm tired of fighting and being made to feel like this is all MY fault and that just because I don't get better by following HIS orders, then *I* have to be doing something wrong, because of course, the precious synthroid "does it all"........yeah, right......Oh, golly, did I sound a bit hostile there??  Sorry 'bout that.......

I am due for my annual physical in Sept and have already picked out a new doctor for that.  It's just that I don't want to wait that long to get these tests done.  If I can get the calcium done at the lab near my house and do the home test for vitamin D, I will have a pretty good idea of what is what and can then go to the new pcp with all the results......... Does that make sense??

[Smilerdeb]

Gees..what a Doctor!
I'd be up for Murder by now lol !
Tell him that you have lost faith in him as both a friend and a Doctor.
That will hit hard (hehehe).
Demand the tests and tell him....'let me worry about the costs and Insurance. You just do your job and I'll do mine".

I wouldve spat the dummy by now....
How can you be so patient?

I would try the 'home test'....really what do you have to lose?
We have no bother here in Australia for requests for different tests.......USA is very primitive in that aspect.
Good job I dont live there or I'd be in Long Bay Jail lol :)

[Barb135]

Deb, you are a darling.......I guess I COULD have pregnancy symptoms even though I've had a full hysterectomy couldn't I?

Actually, I have probably seen this doctor for the last time because I'm tired of fighting him every step of the way, when other doctors have gotten me some of the tests that HE refused on grounds that the insurance company wouldn't pay.  Well, guess what???? If insurance doesn't pay, *I* do........

If the "cure all" synthroid doesn't get rid of the symptoms, he has no suggestions left, other than to assume it's a matter of simple hypochondria; or else *I* am doing something wrong, like putting on the "feed bag" too often or not taking it off soon enough........ Oh and I forgot - I need to "MOVE MORE" - yep, he told me that too even AFTER I showed him my pedometer that had 8 miles on it for THAT day and it was only the middle of the day......

I've been told that I shouldn't give up on this doctor because as pcp's go, he is one of the best in our area ----- what a scary thought........

[Smilerdeb]

Barb...how are you supposed to feel well or even attempt to get well if you are hitting a brick wall with your Doctor everytime?
Sorry...but I'd be opening my big mouth and telling him exactly what I thought of him.
I would tell him that YOU are paying for the tests and not HIM so whats the problem?
As for him thinking its hypochrondria...tell him that if you was a hyochondriac, you'd think you were pregnant but havent asked for a pregnancy test lol.
See what he says to that lol.

[Barb135]

CC9 - is that "spot test" an accurate test?  The cost was just under $100, which I don't mind paying, but only if it's a legitimate test to run.  

LazyMoose - I know what you mean about our "system" right now, but THAT isn't the problem in MY case.  The problem *I* have is the pcp, which I think I'm getting ready to fire.  I have had to fight him every step of the way with this thyroid thing.  I feel rotten and stressed enough, without having to fight the doctor.  

He DID check my B12 a couple of years ago, but only because I had had to go to walk in clinic for a list of other symptoms.  And yes, I was low on it and have since been dx'd with pernicious anemia and take a B12 injection every 2 weeks.  

I have had osteopenia for years and although my recent DEXA showed that there was actually been some slight rebuilding of my bone over the past couple of years, even though I DO still have osteopenia.  I THINK that's why he refused the tests though - the idea that I have not lost any more bone density, so whatever WAS going on, must be okay now...

BTW - my pcp has NEVER treated me for any of this stuff based on symptoms - it's always the lab report.  If it's "normal" on the lab report, there's nothing wrong, no matter what I feel like...................

[ChitChatNine]

The Vit D test was pretty costly .  . . but if you have symptoms he really cannot say no  is what I think.  I'd ask your Endo .. they do it much more readily and mine is overseeing my treatment on it, but my PCP picked up on it.

C~

[LazyMoose]

$35 is a good deal!

Docs don't seem to like to do vitamin testing for some reason. Most do calcium as part of a physical though (mine does). My endo finally tested B12, and yes I was low. I asked for the D test, answer was no. Go figure.

Our medical system doesn't do preventive, it waits till your on the death bed, will cost you more at that time!  Seems to be all about all about the $ cha-ching. Sorry, kind of steamed about our system right now.

[Barb135]

Calcium levels were checked 5/08 with level at 9.8 (range 8.6-10.2), so I was at the "high normal" level.  My pcp believes that "normal is normal" no matter where you fall in the range on ANY blood work.. He also says that insurance doesn't allow all that testing, however, I've never had a problem getting them to pay before... I felt these tests were justified because I have had osteopenia for some years now -- but obviously, that's just MY thoughts and again, pcp doesn't agree.  

Oh - I should mention that last year shortly after I was dx'd with hypO, my pcp pretty much pegged me as a hypochondriac because his precious synthroid wasn't working for me....... HE said "You are on synthroid, THAT is all you need and THAT will take care of ALL your problems" and when it didn't, HE decided that I was a hypochondriac.  

Fortunately, I got sent to an endo (not by the pcp) and HE (the endo) saw that things weren't working the way they should and changed my thyroid meds - now on levothyroxin and cytomel.  I will see the endo again at the end of Aug and can ask him for the tests, but just thought that since I have a lot of the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, it might be worth checking into and maybe get a jump on it, if there is a problem there.    

[Totie]

What is the reasoning your doctor will not test those levels? Most doctors test that when patient is complaining of certain symptoms.

Where they checked at all at any time?