Most Americans are unaware that they are able to obtain discount lab tests. Most Americans have learned the only way to obtain a laboratory test is through a prescription by their physician. Today, many Americans are now learning they are able to obtain the same tests formerly ordered by their physician by visiting one of several websites that will allow them to purchase discount lab tests directly. By purchasing the lab test directly, you are able to obtain discount lab tests, rather than paying full retail price.
There are many categories of discount lab tests
Health & Wellness, Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Heart Hearth and STD Health. Some of the more popular discount lab tests are tests such as Comprehensive Metabolic Profile. The Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) blood test is a frequently ordered panel of blood tests that gives your doctor important information about the current status of your kidneys, liver, and electrolyte and acid/base balance as well as of your blood sugar and blood proteins. Abnormal results, and especially combinations of abnormal results, can indicate a problem that needs to be addressed. The CMP is typically a group of 14 specific tests that have been approved, named, and assigned a CPT code (a Current Procedural Terminology number) as a panel by Medicare, although labs may adjust the number of tests up or down. Since the majority of insurance companies also use these names and CPT codes in their claim processing, this grouping of tests has become standardized throughout the United States.
Additional discount lab tests are Estradiol, PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) and C-Reactive Protein.
Estradiol is a type of hormone called estrogen. This test can be used for conditions suspected such as amenorrhea, early puberty or hypogonadism.
The following are possible reasons why this test may be done:
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Absent or decreased secretion of sex hormones
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Cancer
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Early-onset puberty
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Finding of ovulation
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Hypothalamic amenorrhea
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Polycystic ovaries
PSA is a protein produced by the prostate. Most of the PSA that the prostate produces is released into the semen, but small amounts are also released into the bloodstream.?Patients with prostate cancer frequently have altered ratios of the two forms of PSA and low levels of free PSA and high levels of cPSA (PSA bound to a protein).?The PSA blood test and digital rectal exam (DRE) are ordered to screen for prostate cancer. If either the PSA or the DRE are found to be abnormal, then the doctor may choose to follow this testing with a prostate biopsy and perhaps imaging tests, such as an ultrasound. If the DRE is normal but the PSA is moderately elevated, the doctor may order a free PSA test to look at the ratio of free to total PSA. This can help to distinguish between prostate cancer and other non-cancer causes of elevated PSA.
The C-reactive protein (CRP) test is a blood test that measures the amount of a protein called C-reactive protein in your blood. C-reactive protein test measures general levels of inflammation in the body. High levels of CRP are caused by infections and long-term diseases. But a CRP test cannot show where the inflammation is or what is causing it. Other tests are needed to find the cause and location.
By obtaining discount lab tests directly, the consumer is able to monitor his/her own health proactively and is able to provide the results of the tests to their physician. This is empowering to the consumer, and together the physician and consumer are able to construct a health and wellness plan for the consumer. Many Americans may see their workplace insurance change as a result of the Affordable Care Act which was written into law in May 2010. Many may see their deductibles rise as the employers attempt to reduce healthcare costs. As a result of the increased deductibles, many Americans will seek discount lab tests opposed to paying full retail to minimize out of pocket costs. Healthcare reform will be challenging to the consumer and the healthcare provider on many fronts. A great resource to learn more about lab testing is labtestonline.org. The former model of doctor ordered lab prescriptions will be challenged as the consumer will begin to take more control of their own healthcare and finding reliable discount lab tests is the first step in empowering the consumer.