Poll:Number of doctors you see regularly

[meierlde]

Do they have DIY for A1C?

I also want to know about a whole bunch of other "stuff", the whole metabolic panel, kidney and liver functions, etc... Potassium, sodium, calcium, uranium, plutonium, etc... What do you mean they don't test for radioactive stuff? Well, they should.

Ah, throw in some blood cell counts too, the red cells and all the different types of white cells, whatever they are called (can't remember, which is why I never ever thought of becoming a doctor).

These tests are pretty cheap. I think my last test was $30 or something like that, all inclusive. Heck, for me to draw someone's blood, I would charge $100 just for that (and poke about 10 holes to get the job done).

Aic is available at least at Wal-Mart and also amazon. Many sites you can find on the web offer a bunch of lab tests, but not that it is cash on the barrel head period no insurance allowed and you can get any test you like. Look for wellness blood tests on line. The only issue if you order the tests without a physician involved insurance won't pay. (but then unless its a preventitive test, the cost is a lot less than hospitals charge. (Partly because they don't have to wait 2 months to get paid)

 

[NW-Bound]

Many sites you can find on the web offer a bunch of lab tests...

Blood tests through the Web? I draw my own blood and send the tubes through the mail?

I look, and it turns out that indeed there are places that will send you a lab order for you to take to a local lab, where they draw your blood. OK, that makes more sense. Never thought of that. I just learned something.

But then, why can't I write my own lab order, and scribble down something on a little sheet of paper like my doctor does?

Anyway, who needs doctors anymore if a blood test is all that he wants, like in my case. All I need now is to be able to write my own prescription if needed, then I am set. Screw high insurance premium. Who needs subsidy?

Ugh, self-surgery is a bit more involved, if not impossible in most cases. However, one can form a club, and club members can help each other out.

 

[2017ish]

1 for me. 1 for DW. 56/55.

But, DW is doc and we are healthy ...

 

[meierlde]

Blood tests through the Web? I draw my own blood and send the tubes through the mail?

I look, and it turns out that indeed there are places that will send you a lab order for you to take to the local lab. OK, that makes more sense. Never thought of that. I just learned something.

But then, why can't I write my own lab order, and scribble down something on a little sheet of paper like my doctor does?

Anyway, who needs doctors anymore if a blood test is all that he wants, like in my case. All I need now is to be able to write my own prescription if needed, then I am set. Screw high insurance premium. Who needs subsidy?

Ugh, self-surgery is a bit more involved, if not impossible in most cases. However, one can form a club, and club members can help each other out.

The labs have a number of locations where they draw blood, (look at web site for details). But the point is the only reason for a doctors order it appears is to get the bill paid by insurance. (Since insurance only pays when it is medically necessary, which a doctors order demonstrates)
But for some common tests such as blood glucose etc A1c the supplies area available if finger prick amounts are needed.
One interesting issue was that there was a company Theranos who was going to do most tests with just a drop of blood but it turn out their tests did not yield reliable results.

 

[NW-Bound]

On a more serious note, posters who believe that they are healthy should still have an annual checkup at the minimum.

Or, at least they can go on the Web and order their own blood test. Many people have onset diabetes without knowing it. Diabetes is quite common, same as high blood pressure, and knowing it early is important. A complete metabolic panel test is cheap.

One of my younger brothers never went to a doctor. Recently, his wife volunteered that he once felt shaky while at work, and it turned out to be hypoglycemia. So, that turned out to be the impetus for him to exercise and take better care of himself; earlier we saw that he suddenly shed some weight and complimented him on that.

My wife and I often talked about how his family with two young children (he married late) and a young non-working wife would be in financial ruin if his high income stopped. But he thought he was invincible, and they went on spending money freely without any care. Good thing he realized that they were vulnerable. Better late than never.

 

[unclemick]

Two. Eye Doc and a Family Doc for my six month preventative checkups. The prevent is free now covered under Medicare after 22 years of ER and I pay a little for the eye Doc.

heh heh heh - should add a Dentist on a more regular basis for teeth cleaning/checkups as I'm more lax there.

 

[Alan]

PCP once a year plus heart doc to monitor my A-fib. Also do a Fecal Blood Test once per year through the mail. (NHS sends a test kit, I do 3 samples and mail it back, results come through a couple of weeks later).

DW sees PCP once per year, FBT once a year plus mammogram and pap smear. She also has an eye issue and sees an ophthalmologist once per year.

 

[exnavynuke]

PCP every 6 months (+ blood work). Eye doc supposed to be once a year, but don't do that every year like I should. Fortunately, both eyes still in good shape as of this year's exam.

I was the "see the doc when dying" kinda person when I was younger. Fortunately, the Navy forced me to get checkups and my 10 year physical found my diabetes so I could start getting that under control.

 

[donheff]

I put 1-2 although I could potentially go with three. I see the GP annually. My cardiologist roped me in by inserting a monitor to see if I have Afib. Turns out I don't but the monitor is still there so I see him annually until I decide to get it out. Gotta have surgery to remove a bladder tone and anticipate yearlies with the urologist after that. Gettin older and can see why we retirees are teh source of the bulk of medical expenditures.

 

[athena53]

I see my PCP one year, gyno the next. I'm on zero prescriptions and in great shape but at this age (63) I still want to do the recommended tests to make sure nothing's gone awry. Occasionally I visit the Doc In a Box for poison ivy.

 

[kcowan]

PCP
Cardiologist
Screening blood/urine tests
Retina specialist
all yearly.

 

[Dawg52]

I'm going to see a a nurse practitioner next week for my annual physical. Her office is close by and she can run all my blood work and take BP which is all my previous doc basically did. I have a couple of friends who go there and they are always out of there in about an hour. Hoping I have the same luck. I also go to a dermatologist, dentist and eye doc. Just normal stuff.

 

[grasshopper]

Blood tests through the Web? I draw my own blood and send the tubes through the mail?

I look, and it turns out that indeed there are places that will send you a lab order for you to take to a local lab, where they draw your blood. OK, that makes more sense. Never thought of that. I just learned something.

But then, why can't I write my own lab order, and scribble down something on a little sheet of paper like my doctor does?

Anyway, who needs doctors anymore if a blood test is all that he wants, like in my case. All I need now is to be able to write my own prescription if needed, then I am set. Screw high insurance premium. Who needs subsidy?

Ugh, self-surgery is a bit more involved, if not impossible in most cases. However, one can form a club, and club members can help each other out.

Arizona law allows you to order laboratory testing from a licensed clinical laboratory without your doctor's request. This is referred to as direct access testing and Sonora Quest Laboratories offers a menu of patient ordered lab tests through our My Lab ReQuest™ offering. You can also do this at selected AZ Safeway's.

 

[NW-Bound]

Arizona law allows you to order laboratory testing from a licensed clinical laboratory without your doctor's request. This is referred to as direct access testing and Sonora Quest Laboratories offers a menu of patient ordered lab tests through our My Lab ReQuest™ offering. You can also do this at selected AZ Safeway's.

Thanks! Just checked out their Web site.

Sonora Lab is where we go to have our blood drawn and tested. My wife goes to their Web site all the time to make appointments in order to reduce the wait time. She never told me about seeing direct access being offered.

 

[NW-Bound]

Interesting to see all the tests that they offer, and also what they charge.

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP): $17
Expanded Health Profile, CMP + Lipid Panel: $37
Complete Health Profile: $83

Dirt cheap, I'll say. No need to get insurance involved, as that is about the same rate I get through them, IIRC.

See: https://www.sonoraquest.com/uploads/docs/MyLabReQuestRequisition-Final-Interactive_101016.pdf.

 

[Car-Guy]

Do they have DIY for A1C?

A1C test kits are available at Walgreens for about $40 dollars. No prescription required. You get a throw away meter and everything you need for two test all in one box. Just add a little blood. Results at home in about 5 minutes. A family member uses these kits at home once every 3 months and her doctor has been accepting the results without additional A1C testing in the office.

Be sure to check the expiration date on the box before buying/using.

 

[Another Reader]

Last year I would have selected none. Staying away from the medical vultures was my plan. This year everything went haywire, and I can no longer check that box. Hoping to get back to the original plan next year.

 

[Car-Guy]

If I could get off BP meds (need a doctor to write the prescriptions), I'd quit going until I felt I had a need.

 

[Walt34]

Until a bit over 2 years ago it was just the PCP and gastroenterologist (had an ulcer once, long since healed). Then the afib started, several different treatments for that until I got a cardiac ablation, which seems to have worked. So now I see a cardiologist and an electrophysiologist every six months.

 

[rodi]

When I donate blood I get some minimal blood work for free. (And I get a juicebox when I'm done.) They let me know Iron, Cholesteral, and blood sugar on the blood bank website about 3 days after the donation.

Iron is actually faster - if you're anemic, you are barred from donating right there.

 

[Freedom56]

I see a doctor once per year for an annual check-up with blood tests. I stay in shape by biking about 100-120 miles per week (sometimes more) with my wife. Since I started cycling just before retirement, my resting pulse dropped from the high 70's to the mid 50's.

 

[NW-Bound]

A1C test kits are available at Walgreens for about $40 dollars. No prescription required. You get a throw away meter and everything you need for two test all in one box. Just add a little blood. Results at home in about 5 minutes. A family member uses these kits at home once every 3 months and her doctor has been accepting the results without additional A1C testing in the office.

Be sure to check the expiration date on the box before buying/using.

Interesting. I did not know such kit exists. So, that's $20/test. Sounds inexpensive.

But then, I look at the Sonora Lab pricing for self-ordered tests (see post#40), and see this.

Diabetes Management Panel – includes Glucose & A1c: $21.

I wonder what is included in the panel, but that looks better than the DIY kit. Diabetics who actively control their diet can readily monitor the progress with this self-ordered test. I am not afflicted, but wonder if other people know about the availability of all this self-help stuff.

 

[braumeister]

But then, I look at the Sonora Lab pricing for self-ordered tests (see post#40)

Their prices are all quite low compared to other places where you can order your own tests.

For example, here is one of the biggest:
https://requestatest.com

Sonora Lab's $21 for the glucose/A1C test is a far cry from the $52 (currently on sale) price at RequestATest.

 

[ls99]

None, once a year a nurse practitioner for "wellness check"

 

[NW-Bound]

A visit to an NP for a wellness check is the same as one to a doctor. That ought to count as one.

My doctor does not do anything more that an NP could (the stethoscope listening, the abdomen pressing, the fondling and poking, etc...). And indeed, many doctors use PAs to handle most office visits.