Re: lab schedule-3 months too long?

[Guest guest]

Hey, all,

Amy's doctor has recently begun seeing her every three months. At first I

thought this was good, indicating that she is more stable, and while that may be

true, I'm now concerned that 3 months is too long to monitor labs.

Opinions, anyone? How should I approach the doc about labs being done more

often, and how could I work around my insurance, who wants to charge me an

extra co-pay if I go in for just labs?

Amy's Pam

[Guest guest]

Pam,

My arrangement with the doc is that he always gives me an extra lab slip;

then, if I'm in doubt about things I get the labs done sooner, and we talk

on the phone about the results.

Terry

> From: burbackpack@...

> Reply-To: graves_support

> Date: Tue, 16 Sep 2003 13:46:00 EDT

> To: graves_support

> Subject: Re: lab schedule-3 months too long?

>

> Hey, all,

>

> Amy's doctor has recently begun seeing her every three months. At first I

> thought this was good, indicating that she is more stable, and while that may

> be

> true, I'm now concerned that 3 months is too long to monitor labs.

>

> Opinions, anyone? How should I approach the doc about labs being done more

> often, and how could I work around my insurance, who wants to charge me an

> extra co-pay if I go in for just labs?

>

> Amy's Pam

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Amy's Pam,

Why not simply find the complete package insert for the antithyroid drug...

Which CLEARLY states labs MUST be done.

That does not mean ALL of them. I did my FT 4 and was able to do the others

less often once I was closer to stable. Them I was told the same thing you

are being told. Less labs period. Well that was when all my BIG problems

started. So of course THEN ... I was told it was something else, not

thyroid you know. :-(

The insurance company does not see the difference between this drug and all

the others they have on their list. Say some one was on a beta blocker ,

birth control pill, cholesterol lowering drug, etc. ... well then labs every

4 to 6 weeks would certainly be unnecessary and silly to be paying for.

-Pam L-

3 1/2 years Graves', TED, and PTU. Remission due to SLOW reduction of PTU

(despite an incompetent endo ! ), improved lifestyle, excellent nutrition,

herbs, and looking at the big picture.

Pills alone only help the symptoms. We must help our bodies to heal.

[Guest guest]

Hi Pam,

Like Amy, Lillie has just been given a longer time between

appointments (2 months). However, the doctor always gives us a

prescription for labs to have on hand, so we can get them done when we

want. She recommended a 6 week gap til the next labs, but depending on

how Lillie's feeling, we'll probably get them sooner. Then, like

Terry, we'll call the doctor for results and comments and

recommendations.

I also took it as a good sign, that she thinks Lillie is more stable.

About the insurance -- maybe if you discuss it with your doc, he

(she?) can advocate for you with the insurance company.

Hope you and Amy and the rest of your family are doing OK,

-

> Hey, all,

>

> Amy's doctor has recently begun seeing her every three months. At

first I

> thought this was good, indicating that she is more stable, and while

that may be

> true, I'm now concerned that 3 months is too long to monitor labs.

>

> Opinions, anyone? How should I approach the doc about labs being

done more

> often, and how could I work around my insurance, who wants to charge

me an

> extra co-pay if I go in for just labs?

>

> Amy's Pam

>

>

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have be

[Guest guest]

Hi, ,

Thanks for the input. We're all doing pretty well. Our family just returned

from a two-week vacation and Amy handled it well, even doing some rock

climbing on a tough mountain. This is something she couldn't have handled a

year

ago.

Glad to hear that things are going well with Lillie!

Pam

In a message dated 9/16/2003 3:55:59 PM Central Daylight Time, harcho@...

writes:

> Hi Pam,

> Like Amy, Lillie has just been given a longer time between

> appointments (2 months). However, the doctor always gives us a

> prescription for labs to have on hand, so we can get them done when we

> want. She recommended a 6 week gap til the next labs, but depending on

> how Lillie's feeling, we'll probably get them sooner. Then, like

> Terry, we'll call the doctor for results and comments and

> recommendations.

> I also took it as a good sign, that she thinks Lillie is more stable.

> About the insurance -- maybe if you discuss it with your doc, he

> (she?) can advocate for you with the insurance company.

> Hope you and Amy and the rest of your family are doing OK,

> -