posted
Ok, So I dont have insurance because I quit working to go back to full time studying as a Grad student. My question is, is there any way that I could get blood work done to confirm if I do have lyme disease?
I do have some money in the bank. I could probably spend about $500 or a little more on lab testing but from what I understand they only test with Drs referrals at igenex. What is an alternative route that I could take? Could I just show up and ask them at quest for a lyme test?
Or can I just send my blood to igenex without a Dr's referral. My mom is certified to draw blood so she could easily draw blood but would I be able to send it to igenex? If not can I just get a standard test at quest?
Posts: 21 | From El Paso, Texas | Registered: Jan 2011
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You could get a Lyme western blot through Quest or LabCorp, but they aren't nearly as accurate as IGeneX. And this is your health here, so you really don't want to mess around.
I do remember IGeneX having some kind of financial-aid form you can fill out... maybe someone else can comment more on this, or you could call them and ask.
Posts: 340 | From san francisco, ca | Registered: Nov 2010
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posted
A doctor needs to request bloodtests. IGeneX can send you a free testkit. They now have a discount,
something like 75% off for those who qualify as low income. www.IGeneX.com, 1-800-832-3200. You can talk to them by phone if you want.
You need to decide if you want to test for Lyme only, with the IgM and IgG Western blot antibody tests, or whether you also want to test for the co-infections - babesia, bartonella and ehrlichia.
I went ahead and tested for them all, but I had googled symptoms for all the infections and saw that I matched Lyme symptoms only,
and indeed, that's the way the tests came back, reflecting exactly what I matched in symptoms.
The test results go back to the doctor who ordered the test. It's nice if you have a doctor who knows what they're doing, but in my experience, any doctor,
even one who knows nothing about the subject, can check off the tests. They do not have to be your treating doctor. Mine did it out of sheer curiosity, not because he knew anything.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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posted
Interesting question - I suppose you should call IGeneX and ask - 1-800-832-3200. Test results get returned to the ordering physician.
Can I say this again - any doctor can order the tests, even if they know nothing about Lyme and are not expected to do anything about it once they get the test results back.
Taking the pressure off of them like that might help you find a primary care person or chiropractor here that will do it for you.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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