posted
Wondering, What would the rational be for a LLMD to rely on Quest results over Igenex results?
Posts: 23 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Most doctors don't understand Lyme well enough to know that it is imperative to use a reputable lab. Often you have to request IgeneX. I did. If he sends it to Quest you may be wasting your money (if you have to pay anything) as most of their tests return negative.
Sadie
Posts: 115 | From new york | Registered: May 2006
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
For plain ole blood work (CBC's, etc.), Quest is fine.
However, for testing related to tickborne diseases, no possible way!!!!
In a recent Lyme Times is an article where they experimentally sent out some POSITIVE blood samples to various labs (Quest included, I'm sure) and half of them (Yeah, that's fully 50%) got it wrong, i.e., found that the person didn't even HAVE lyme! Even though beforehand, the blood was totally documented to be positive.
Now, would a true LLMD want to take a chance on that with his patients?
Nuh-uh.
That's why I'd be extremely suspicious of any "LLMD" attempting to send my blood to Quest over IGeneX unless he gave me some really compelling reason.
IGeneX meets the strictest of standards and believe me, they've been under the microscope plenty (to make a bad pun!). They do NOT give all positive results, contrary to what various ducks will tell you.
Ask questions, and be well!
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Funny, I thought there would be at least some defense for Quest. I've very recently been told by two LLMD's that they use Quest. This post and the interesting Marcie post is definitely anti Quest.
Posts: 23 | From PA | Registered: Jan 2003
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cantgiveupyet
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 8165
posted
Im in PA too and went to two llmd that use quest.
they also Both take insurance in some form and are governed by the insurance company as to which lab to use.
I was once told by an ID duck that you could send pond water to igenex and it would be positive....my reply, ok then why was my blood not positive and showed bands.
he then said bands, everyone has bands show up.
they have answers for everything.
Ive tested negative on all quest WB....but have many IND bands thru Igenex.
-------------------- "Say it straight simple and with a smile."
"Thus the task is, not so much to see what no one has seen yet, But to think what nobody has thought yet, About what everybody sees."
-Schopenhauer
pos babs, bart, igenex WB igm/igg Posts: 3156 | From Lyme limbo | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
It's all about what the insurance companies require. My husband has never had a positive lyme test from any lab, including Quest, MDL labs and Igenex.
His last Igenex test had more positive bands after treating with ABX and probably would eventually show positive.
But we're currently seeing a doctor who only uses Quest.
Posts: 160 | From Abington, PA, USA | Registered: May 2005
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lymeinhell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4622
posted
Good News for UnitedHealth members! Buh bye Quest!!
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Lab testing company Quest Diagnostics Inc. (DGX.N: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Tuesday it will no longer be the national provider for insurer UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH.N: Quote, Profile, Research), losing a major contract to rival Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings (LH.N: Quote, Profile, Research)
The news sent Quest shares down more than 13 percent, their biggest one-day percentage slide ever, due to concerns about the potential fallout on its earnings outlook.
But shares of Laboratory Corp. jumped more than 4 percent, their biggest one-day percentage gain in nearly a year.
UnitedHealth accounts for about 7 percent of Quest's annual revenue and is its biggest customer. Quest said it will continue to provide some lab services in certain markets to some UnitedHealth members, but could not estimate the full financial impact of the contract loss.
"We feel there has been a degradation of UnitedHealth's relationship ... which limits earnings visibility in the intermediate term," Merrill Lynch analyst Tom Gallucci said in a research note. He cut his rating on Quest shares to "neutral" from "buy."
UnitedHealth is one of the biggest U.S. health insurers, with 28 million members mostly through employer health plans.
Earlier on Tuesday, Laboratory Corp. said it entered into a 10-year deal with UnitedHealth to start in 2007, making it United's "exclusive national provider." It said the contract would generate $3 billion in revenue over the life of the deal.
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
Those of you in PA- could you Pm me the names of the doctors who you use for lyme. I'm in Bethlehem and know of none except Dr. C and Dr. B out of Philly. I was going to Dr. B in NY but he is closing now. With all I have been through though I truly believe the good LLMDs do use Igenex - perhaps if my first LLMDs used Igenex they would have picked up the Babesia that Dr. B found. Thanks.
Posts: 238 | From Bethlehem, PA | Registered: Oct 2004
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