Hello- first time posting, so glad I found this discussion.
My doc wants me to get the Igenex Western blot test, but my local LabCorp and Quest refuse to draw the blood even though I offered to pay. They told me that they won't do it if it's not their test sent to their lab.
Any suggestions where I can go to have my blood drawn? I know I have to do it on a Monday or Tuesday... I live near Annapolis/Baltimore if that helps.
Any help greatly appreciated-
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- You might call Igenex and ask them of labs they receive from.
Any hospital lab should work - but it's important from the moment drawn to the time Fed Ex picks it up that it is handled precisely according to directions.
I can see why you may have trouble in Baltimore as Johns Hopkins is very much against lyme disease. Seems odd, though, that if your doctor orders it, for the out-patient labs to refuse. But, with that attitude, it's probably best to go elsewhere, anyway. You wouldn't want to force them and run the risk that they foul up procedure in processing.
IGENEX - just all them. Pacific Time zone. -
Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :
I always go to my local hospital and they have never charged me.
Posted by lymebytes (Member # 11830) on :
Labcorp is the preferred Lab. Although call Igenex and ask for them to send you a blood test kit, they are free and they send them out freely. It includes the tubes to draw the blood, and Fedex overnight prepaid sticker/envelope.
Posted by littlebit27 (Member # 24477) on :
I did it at my PCP's office. He doesn't believe in Lyme and doesn't think it exists here but had no problem pulling the blood.
I was so anal about how they were handling it, I didn't want it to get messed up. The nurse took it away to spin it and said it had to clot first. I said it doesn't say that on the paper. She said blood always has to clot before you spin it. I sure hope she was right, that's a lot of money to just be throwing up because someone messed it up.
Posted by Need Lots of Help (Member # 18603) on :
I went to my local hospital and they did not charge me either. But, I did have to tell them to spin one of the vials....I called Igenex before I left the hospital to make sure everything was right.
Good luck!
Posted by springshowers (Member # 19863) on :
Just adding a note here.
Did everyone know that Medicare pays for the Igenex testing?
They did for me. Maybe this is already common knowledge. But just in case.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :