Hi everybody,
I have an appt in the a.m. w/ my GP for my annual physical. I am seeking advice as to what further testing I should request. I've been researching the IGe blood tests but have found differing thoughts on the reliability of the results. Also, at the onset of my symptoms (11/07) there were approximately 10 people in our office that were having varying degrees of my symptoms. I was at my wits end and decided to quit drinking the water out of the cooler in the cafe. It is one that cools the water coming out of the building's water supply. I immediately felt better and started letting my co-workers know and upon their quitting drinking the water they also felt better. The original stool tests that were done in 12/07 came back fine but I believe I read somewhere that parasites etc can sometimes be hard to detect; should I have these tests redone?
Does anyone have the insurance billing codes for Dr. Fine's tests? I thought I would have the staff check and see if my insurance will cover these.
Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!!!
Doctor tomorrow
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- Littlekicker
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:18 pm
- Location: Ohio
Doctor tomorrow
LOL,
Leslie
Leslie
Leslie,
I don't believe that anyone here, (except those who actually have fully-developed celiac disease), has ever derived any benefits from the blood tests designed to detect food allergies. Those tests are designed for full-blown celiac disease, and for histamine type reactions, and food intolerances in the GI tract, of the type that we experience, are a whole different breed of cat, (as they say). The fecal IgA antibody tests at Enerolab, are the only ones that we have found to be sensitive enough to be totally reliable.
Hmmmmmm. That doesn't sound good about the water cooler.
I've read that most parasite tests often yield false negatives, but I don't know much about the tests, in general. I wish that Enterolab would add those tests to their offerings. It would be mighty convenient, while they're working with the samples, anyway. Some members here have had experience with parasite tests - maybe they'll weigh in on this thread.
I paid for my Enterolab tests out of my own pocket, so I don't know anything about insurance billing codes. You might be able to get that information from Enterolab by sending them an e-mail. They're usually pretty responsive to e-mails. I suppose you could also phone them. I've e-mailed them numerous times, and I've also called them a time or two, and I've always received good service.
Good luck with your appointment.
Tex
I don't believe that anyone here, (except those who actually have fully-developed celiac disease), has ever derived any benefits from the blood tests designed to detect food allergies. Those tests are designed for full-blown celiac disease, and for histamine type reactions, and food intolerances in the GI tract, of the type that we experience, are a whole different breed of cat, (as they say). The fecal IgA antibody tests at Enerolab, are the only ones that we have found to be sensitive enough to be totally reliable.
Hmmmmmm. That doesn't sound good about the water cooler.
I've read that most parasite tests often yield false negatives, but I don't know much about the tests, in general. I wish that Enterolab would add those tests to their offerings. It would be mighty convenient, while they're working with the samples, anyway. Some members here have had experience with parasite tests - maybe they'll weigh in on this thread.
I paid for my Enterolab tests out of my own pocket, so I don't know anything about insurance billing codes. You might be able to get that information from Enterolab by sending them an e-mail. They're usually pretty responsive to e-mails. I suppose you could also phone them. I've e-mailed them numerous times, and I've also called them a time or two, and I've always received good service.
Good luck with your appointment.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
- Littlekicker
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:18 pm
- Location: Ohio
-
- Adélie Penguin
- Posts: 158
- Joined: Tue Jun 10, 2008 4:45 pm
- Location: Glendale, Ca.
Leslie, I obtained my test results from Enterolab about 7 Months ago. The insurance codes were listed along with each test on the receipt they e-mailed me. I turned the bill over to Blueshield-HMO of California. They rejected it. I appealed, they rejected my appeal. Perhaps if your doctor orders the tests, you will be reimbursed. Good luck.
Hotrod
Hotrod
- Littlekicker
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:18 pm
- Location: Ohio
Thanks, Hotrod!!!
I asked and the Doc said that he can't even get tests paid for that are medically accepted let alone something like this!! I wasn't surprised by any means. Figured it was worth a try. Will order tests once my finances are in order. Meanwhile I will continue to figure it out on my own (w/ the help of the PP people). My Doc was definitely supportive w/ my decision to discount my GI (who told me it was senseless to follow the GF diet) and follow my own instincts.
Thanks for your input!! Do you have a Hotrod? I'm a big fan of anything that goes fast; think Nascar....
I asked and the Doc said that he can't even get tests paid for that are medically accepted let alone something like this!! I wasn't surprised by any means. Figured it was worth a try. Will order tests once my finances are in order. Meanwhile I will continue to figure it out on my own (w/ the help of the PP people). My Doc was definitely supportive w/ my decision to discount my GI (who told me it was senseless to follow the GF diet) and follow my own instincts.
Thanks for your input!! Do you have a Hotrod? I'm a big fan of anything that goes fast; think Nascar....
LOL,
Leslie
Leslie