Questions on blood work.

[DroxYung]

Hello, I plan on starting my first cycle soon it will consist of test-e, arimidex and a pct of nolva only. I have had pubertal gyno since i was younger, nothing major just some mild glandular tissue and i wanted to get the following blood tests done:

• 3.1 LH (luteinizing hormone)
• 3.2 FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)
• 3.3 Total testosterone.
• 3.4 Free testosterone.
• 3.5 Estradiol.

Was wondering. Could i get these covered under my insurance if i simply asked my doctor to approve them for me? Has anyone else had success doing this?

Thanks in advance

 

[Sworder]

Hello, I plan on starting my first cycle soon it will consist of test-e, arimidex and a pct of nolva only. I have had pubertal gyno since i was younger, nothing major just some mild glandular tissue and i wanted to get the following blood tests done:

• 3.1 LH (luteinizing hormone)
• 3.2 FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)
• 3.3 Total testosterone.
• 3.4 Free testosterone.
• 3.5 Estradiol.

Was wondering. Could i get these covered under my insurance if i simply asked my doctor to approve them for me? Has anyone else had success doing this?

Thanks in advance

I wouldn't "simply" ask him to get them approved. You have to manipulate the doc a little bit and tell him you have had a bunch of low T symptoms and then ask him if he thinks that low T could be an issue then ask him if it is a good idea to get those tests done as many endo doctors will order those tests. At least that is my experience. It can be done, depends on your doctor. If not just go to private md labs and order the tests.

 

[mike4796]

Hello, I plan on starting my first cycle soon it will consist of test-e, arimidex and a pct of nolva only. I have had pubertal gyno since i was younger, nothing major just some mild glandular tissue and i wanted to get the following blood tests done:

• 3.1 LH (luteinizing hormone)
• 3.2 FSH (follicle stimulating hormone)
• 3.3 Total testosterone.
• 3.4 Free testosterone.
• 3.5 Estradiol.

Was wondering. Could i get these covered under my insurance if i simply asked my doctor to approve them for me? Has anyone else had success doing this?

Thanks in advance

also i would highly recommend a urologist or an endocrinologist. any testosterone related issues is a long shot when it comes to general physicians/family doctors

 

[Dr JIM]

also i would highly recommend a urologist or an endocrinologist. any testosterone related issues is a long shot when it comes to general physicians/family doctors

Labs are cheap and most insurance companies pay for them (less your deductible) wo hesitation.

TRT now that’s another matter!

Why, bc TRT criteria are so loosely defined according to many blogs, forums, and men’s health clinics just about anyone may be suffering from “low T” and as such are potential TRT candidates.

Now we are talking about MILLIONS in therapy and follow up fees, much of it wo proven benefit
on medical grounds.

Besides now one has ever died from “low T”, and as such is considerd elective therapy by many insurance companies.

 

[DroxYung]

Labs are cheap and most insurance companies pay for them wo hesitation.

TRT now that’s another matter!

Why, bc TRT criteria are so loosely defined according to many blogs, forums, and men’s health clinics just about anyone may be suffering from “low T” and as such are potential TRT candidates.

Now we are talking about MILLIONS in therapy and follow up fees!

Besides now one has ever died from “low T”, and as such is considerd elective therapy by many insurance companies.

UPDATE: I have just learned that i live in a state that restricts direct lab to patient blood testing. (New York) which is complete and utter BS. I must have a refferal by a doctor i really dont want to go to my doctor and try to convince them to write me in for these tests. Really dont know what else to do at this point. I guess i could just fake the symptoms of low T, and see if they might write me in. I guess its worth a shot

 

[Dr JIM]

IDK your age but it’s very unlikely
any 25yo , has symptoms that are
consistent or compatible with low T levels. That’s bc in the absence of AIH most males experience peak TT levels bt the age of 18 - 28.

My advice save your money and see a doc for whatever complaint/s you may have, and let his/her judgement and experience guide diagnostic testing.

If all the tests come back normal
simply ask hey doc you think I may have low T?

To which he SHOULD reply; “what makes you think that” and then
list your symptoms.

Finally while some may opine the worst thing you can do is nothing,
conducting assays absent the fund of knowledge required to interpret them in a meaningful manner and/or blindly rendering “therapy” based upon a few lab tests is almost always MUCH WORSE IME.

Good luck.
Jim

 

[DroxYung]

IDK your age but it’s very unlikely
any 25yo , has symptoms that are
consistent or compatible with low T levels. That’s bc in the absence of AIH most males experience peak TT levels bt the age of 18 - 28.

My advice save your money and see a doc for whatever complaint/s you may have, and let his/her judgement and experience guide diagnostic testing.

If all the tests come back normal
simply ask hey doc you think I may have low T?

To which he SHOULD reply; “what makes you think that” and then
list your symptoms.

Finally while some may opine the worst thing you can do is nothing,
conducting assays absent the fund of knowledge required to interpret them in a meaningful manner and/or blindly rendering “therapy” based upon a few lab tests is almost always MUCH WORSE IME.

Good luck.
Jim

Right I get that. I am 26 years old have 5 years of training under my belt. I am deffinitley over qualified to start a begginer cycle such as test-e 400mg/wk. I am just concerned that i will not be able to get blood tests frequently in my state, and i don’t want my jnability to get blood work done stop me from doing my first cycle. Just wondering if id be okay just to go ahead and do it without knowing my baselines. And vary my ai as needed if that would be safe enough to prevent any further gyno

 

[Inquiring Mind]

Right I get that. I am 26 years old have 5 years of training under my belt. I am deffinitley over qualified to start a begginer cycle such as test-e 400mg/wk. I am just concerned that i will not be able to get blood tests frequently in my state, and i don’t want my jnability to get blood work done stop me from doing my first cycle. Just wondering if id be okay just to go ahead and do it without knowing my baselines. And vary my ai as needed if that would be safe enough to prevent any further gyno

What is your relationship like with your primary doc? Reason i ask is that my current primary is very open minded and his atitude is F the insurance companies. I asked him to check everything you listed and he added PSA and TSH in there as well. Then agan, i am in my 40's so maybe its not uncommon to test all those for men my age.
Nevertheless, if your doctor is comfortable answering questions, then i would ask. Worse case he says no??? What do you have to lose?

 

[DroxYung]

What is your relationship like with your primary doc? Reason i ask is that my current primary is very open minded and his atitude is F the insurance companies. I asked him to check everything you listed and he added PSA and TSH in there as well. Then agan, i am in my 40's so maybe its not uncommon to test all those for men my age.
Nevertheless, if your doctor is comfortable answering questions, then i would ask. Worse case he says no??? What do you have to lose?

Thats a very good point. And my doctor is a she, and she seems
very judgemental about some of the shit i brought up. Like for one i brought up my gyno and claimed it was “the way im built” which is utter horseshit. Is it possible to ask my doctor to schedule these tests for me anyways if I could pay for them out of pocket? Isnt that the whole issue anyways with this is that it has to be of “medical concern” to be covered by my insurance? I dont see why i cant get these tests done if i pay for them. Its my blood afterall

 

[Inquiring Mind]

Thats a very good point. And my doctor is a she, and she seems
very judgemental about some of the shit i brought up. Like for one i brought up my gyno and claimed it was “the way im built” which is utter horseshit. Is it possible to ask my doctor to schedule these tests for me anyways if I could pay for them out of pocket? Isnt that the whole issue anyways with this is that it has to be of “medical concern” to be covered by my insurance? I dont see why i cant get these tests done if i pay for them. Its my blood afterall

You know doctors don't call the shots (no pun intended), Big pharma does. In the same vein (again, no pun intended) insurance companies also dictate what they will cover and they typically rely on per-existing conditions and all the request tests prior that would naturally accompany and justify a procedure, such as blood work, in order to issue payment for. With that said, you are not asking for gyno surgery, you asking for a test to look into it. Many, many men have gyno from puberty. Some never address it, some eventually address it. You fall into the latter is all she needs to be worried about. IF they discover glad development, well now you have the evidence necessary for the insurance company to one day, if deemed necessary, to pay for gyno surgery. Lets hope you never have to go down that road, just discussing the matter in full.

In answer to your question, you should freely ask, and she should issue the blood requisite. As to self-pay, places like Quest, have a simple policy, if your insurance fails to cover any part of the payment, you are liable for it. All they need to draw your blood is a requisite from your doctor. So, yes, you can self pay, in the scenario as described above.

Hey bro, if your getting shit from your doctor, find another. It's all about the bottom line with them, and so should it be for you. Your not asking for money, they are, and your ready, willing and able to issue payment, all you want and deserve is a supportive doctor. Don't settle for less. Life is to short for bullshit.

Good luck my brother!