Question for USA DIYers

[MaudeB]

Hi,

I have a friend who is able to procure her medications from InHouse in the US. She usually is present in New England during the week and would like to know if there is a private lab who could do her tests (drawing blood and all). Since she DIY, she obviously can't get a referral from a Québec doctor and there is no way you can get tested w/o a prescription...

Can someone point us in the right direction as to where to look for and maybe an idea of the costs involved ? She has an address in Vermont.

Thanks !

Maude

[LeaP]

I'm not supportive of self-medication for most, but better at least to be tested.

You do not need a doctor to authorize tests. Simply call the labs and ask which will take walk-ins without a doctor's prescription. You can also check out the labs that specifically are in this segment of the business, such as "anylabtestnow.com"

Be prepared to pay through the nose. And get (your friend) a doctor.

[Aimee20]

Usually going the doctor route and whatnot is not only safer but less expensive. Personally my prescriptions are under $30/month and after the first few appointment intervals at the months it's typically every six months for blood draws. Many if these appointments are covered by insurance that excludes transgender care as long as the office codes the billing correctly.

[I Am Paula]

If you are going to buy hormones from odd sources, AND have your bloodwork done, why on earth not go about it the legit way, and have a Dr. prescribe, and monitor? It seems like extra work, and expense, not to mention a safety factor.

[LeaP]

Speaking of cost, the last full set of bloodwork tests was over $500 at full cost. Insurance covered most of it. That was a complete metabolic panel (CMP) plus hormones, and I think prolactin was an add-on also. The thing is, you need a lot of what's in the CMP to properly monitor things - NOT just the hormones levels - not by a long shot. And it takes some knowledge and experience to interpret the results besides.

[Cheryl123]

Planned Parenthood in Burlington (according to their website) will provide testing as well as HRT. Call them for costs, which is often based on ability to pay. And have your friend consider getting hormones through Planned Parenthood, assuming they do indeed provide the service. Most HRT drugs are now generic which makes them very cheap to buy with a prescription. InHouse doesn't provide generic and charges super premium prices for their brand name drugs.