Vit D level check

WellWater

I have been advising my friends to have their levels checked when they get their blood test done.  I am having one done next week and asked my cardiologist to request my levels are checked at this time.

 One gal told me yesterday that when she asked her doctor about it he told her it was an EXPENSIVE add-on expense to do the level testing and if she was willing to pay for it herself, he'd write the order.

Is this true?

mmm5

No that is ridiculous, I work for a lab it is no more than$50 and with her dx, her insurance company should pay, we rarely have denials for Vit D.

It is an important test for us.

mmm5

No that is ridiculous, I work for a lab it is no more than$50 and with her dx, her insurance company should pay, we rarely have denials for Vit D.

It is an important test for us.

Anonymous

I have not heard that from my doctors, but I had mine checked after I was diagnosed, so maybe that is why it was covered, or not discussed?  I had it checked twice - once at diagnosis (11/08) and then in 11/09.

WellWater

Thanks......I was hoping it wasn't true.  She does NOT have a dx of cancer so perhaps that is why her doc thought it would not be covered?

Rose_wood

I asked my onc about Vit D, and he was like, it's the new thing but if you want it done I'll write a script for it the next time (which he did).  But I was concerned because of what I've read and if I hadn't brought it up or insisted, he would have never mentioned it.  Now what happens when he gets the results, who knows.

WellWater

Well, of course the new information re bisphonates MAYBE helping to reduce BC is big news.  This means that the makers of Fosamax, Boniva, etc., can enjoy a new upswing in scripts written for women who are perhaps ostepenia and would not have gone on the drug but since the results of this study (and which company came up with it?) are being spred to the doctors, well it will be a new tool.

Very few doctors are mentioning Vit D levels as being significant in the prevention of cancer and we all know why that is.  I just hate seeing the test being denied to women who are not dx'd because this could be huge in prevention for them.  MHO only of course.

 PS - I have been on Fosamax for more than 10 years........I was not so lucky as to have it prevent my occurence of BC

SharaD

Sounds like your friend's Onc is just covering up for his own shortcomings.  "Oh, I didn't order it because it is expensive" sounds better than "Oh, I forgot to order that, it's something we're supposed to be checking now but I'm about 5 years behind the times on everything concerning health and nutrition, just like all of my fellow doctors!". 

nene2059

She may not be able to get the onc to write it if she has not been diagnosed but another dr. can order it and put another reason for the test.  My onc did not seem to think much about checking Vitamin D level either but after the CYP2D6 test showed that I was a poor Tamoxifen metabolizer and I had to have a TAH/BSO my gyno ordered the D test and put "menopausal symptoms" as the reason for my insurance.  Is your friend menopausal?  If so her PCP or gyno could order it for her.  The bottom line is that we should not have to beg for tests that we want but if one dr. is hesitant find another door. That is a plus to having so many doctors...they rarely agree with each other and one will agree with you!  Best of luck.

rreynolds1

Hi All,

The doc just needs to put a reason for the test.  My friend had it done when she was losing hair and couldn't lose weight.  He ordered the thyroid at the same time.  Her thyroid was fine but her D level was 18!  Her hair has stopped falling out and she dropped 15 lbs. in 6 weeks. 

Roseann

Anonymous

My onc thinks it's important.  As to what she thinks is the goal to reach, I don't know.  Also, my pcp ordered the test when I asked him to and I had him order it the two times a year I saw him.  I wanted to monitor my levels.  He didn't know what he was doing.  The first time he said, "what would be the dx?"  I forgot what I suggested to him but it was covered by the insurance company.

It's amazing how many docs have not gotten on the bandwagon about this "vitamin."

Edited to add..make sure you ask for the correct test.