Even though I have the right lab test #, I'm getting stonewalled by the lab about the Stricker-CD-57. They refuse to send it to the lab in NC (where Dr. S has his Stricker CD-57 panels sent).
I spoke to his lab & they said it is a special test. My lab claims they do the same thing. (I doubt it, but maybe I'm wrong???.)
The only way they will do it is if my dr. tells them why. This is bad because my dr. was used to using Quest. His nurse told me she thinks it is the same test.
What is a good reason my dr. can tell the lab dr. to send this out-of-house?
Kayda
Posts: 582 | From midwest | Registered: Nov 2006
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I had to pay out of pocket to get it done at Lab Corp (I think that was the lab) rather than local.
My LLMD said that what little research they have has been done with the one lab and it is better to have it done there if you want to compare your number.
As for what you can tell you doctor???
It was a much cheaper test than any of the others I paid for at Igenex. I think the CD57 was $120. My LLMD gave me the request and I went to the local Lab Corp (that maight not be the right place) anyway they billed me.
-------------------- Lucy Posts: 342 | From Hawaii | Registered: Nov 2005
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Had a CD 57 done at Quest and what a nightmare. The personnel ther didn't know the codes etc and seemed to be having difficulty. So, when the doctor recd the test it of course hadn't been done correctly with odd results. He didn't trust the test and asked me to do it with Lab Corp.
Didn't have any troubles with Lab Corp and my doctor was much happier with the tests. My son's was unfortunately low at 20.
My insurance covers Lab Corp and Quest without any payment being required from me. Check with your insurance company. I know they are all different.
Posts: 547 | From Maryland | Registered: Mar 2005
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I've had 2 done and both with Labcorp. Insurance covers it. So I agree with Dunkirk, check with your ins. co to confirm.
My first one was 21 and the last was 27 basically a 7-9 month period.
The one thing to know, all labs use a different scale for the CD-57 results. I'm trying to find out the scale this lab uses to be sure I'm doing better
because I read a post that says the CD 57 needs to be 150 to be considered normal again. If that's the case then I've got a long way to go when I'm already 90% better....??
Check with your doc and lab for written documentation.....hmm might be on the lab paperwork, though....I'll have to look again.
Anyway, you get my point. Regards, Karl
-------------------- Uncommon inner strength must defy gravity! 5/4/06 MS. Lyme, Babesiosis, Chlamydia Pneumoniae -respiratory infection. 9 mos./9 antis. 85-90% better. Now on Factive, Doxy, Rifampin. Used, Mino, Azithro, Mepron, Rocephin, Tini, Diflucan. Posts: 51 | From CT | Registered: Jan 2007
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At the ILADS conference in philly, dr. b said that only labcorp should be used for the cd-57 test to insure accuracy. (I paid 150 out of pocket for it too- waiting for results)
Good luck Kim
-------------------- We are spiritual beings on a human journey...
Well, you may be wondering if the CD-57 was done. No! it still is not done! My local lab was bought by Labcorp. Now, they refuse to send it to NC Labcorp because they are "contracted" and can do it in-house.
I found out they don't even draw it right (2 lavender tops), the real Stricker test is 1 lavender & 1 yellow. My dr.'s office caved & said it could be done there.
I called Dr. S's office, but i'm not a patient & they can't help me. I emailed both him and Labcorp. My dr. says he's tried to call, too. Now I've left messages for Dr. S to call my dr. & told my dr. that I left a mssge for him.
I am so sick of this!!!!!! There are no rights for patients anymore!
Kayda
Posts: 582 | From midwest | Registered: Nov 2006
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I will try to find my exact info. with the address, etc.
Did your dr. or Labcorp say "WHY" it had to be sent there? If I have a reason "WHY" then my local lab will send it to the other lab. So far, they won't accept the reason that they don't do it right ('cause they think they do.)
Thanks, I will look up that info for you.
Kayda
Posts: 582 | From midwest | Registered: Nov 2006
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My LLMD has come to the conclusion that CD57 is not a reliable marker for Lyme disease. She has healthy patients with low CD57 and very very sick patients with high CD57 numbers.
She no longer suggests it for diagnostic purposes.
I think I will just skip it then. Since it is so unreliable & since my insurance probably won't pay it anyway!
My LLMD determines how he treats based on this test. He considers it the "gold standard". He will probably be mad at me for not getting it done, but oh well.
Kayda
Posts: 582 | From midwest | Registered: Nov 2006
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He should treat according either to your clinical symptoms and /or Igenex Lyme testing -which actually is more expensive than Labcorp CD57 unfortunately.
But he should also treat according to your response to treatment.
It's my personal opinion that treating and testing for Lyme disease is a crap shoot. But I'm willing to hang in there and keep trying.
Good Luck-I was told early on,too , that CD57 was important-but now my LLMD has switched gears. Go figure.
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