Getting bloodwork done, for newbies

Hi guys
Can anyone explain how the bloodwork tests are done?
I have no idea and want to start down that road


Do I just go to my GP and tell him I want it done?
Do I need to go to a dietician? or other specialist?


Any idea what the time frame is and roughly what the costs are?

Go to lancet labs, you can do it yourself if you know what tests you need done. They will ask you for your GP name to send him a copy but you can do it yourself

From my experience, if you go straight to the lab you need to pay cash, but if referred by your doctor, medical aid covers the costs.
Medical aid plan and option dependant though.

Was at lancet last week for bloodwork and they said I could put self referred on medical or cash. I opt for cash but it is possible at lancet to do it on medical

prohunt wrote: Was at lancet last week for bloodwork and they said I could put self referred on medical or cash. I opt for cash but it is possible at lancet to do it on medical

If you dont mind me asking,
What did you test and what did it cost?

AST
ALT
Total testosterone panel
Ferritin
E2

Price was around R1800

your having a laugh...... right?

I was told it would be like 5-6k!


bloody hell, im going next week!

Depends on what you want to test. You can actually email lancet direct and get a quote before you go

You will want fasting insulin, fasting glucose, hb1ac that covers your blood sugar.

Full blood count is a good one.

Free testosterone is a good one on a budget.

Free t4 and t3 and tsh.

Lipogram because you are going fasted.

prohunt wrote: Depends on what you want to test. You can actually email lancet direct and get a quote before you go

Their response
Dear Client

Best woul be for you GP/PHYSICIAN to refer you for these tests.

Regards
Vandetta

I have not mailed the lancet in Ruimsig , hopefully they can assist

That’s strange. Just walk in and tell them it’s self referred and to add your GP to the test results. Works for me every time

Labs won't differ drastically in price.

www.pathcare.co.za/fees-lookup/

You can get an idea of cost here.

Lancet, Ampath, and Pathcare will accommodate to private blood work.

prohunt wrote: That’s strange. Just walk in and tell them it’s self referred and to add your GP to the test results. Works for me every time

I replied telling the lady I dont want to go through my GP as it costs extra

she said they can help. So will be going next week





Regarding the tests, I assume with Fasting I need to go there on an empty stomach? Can I gym before? rather skip the gym that day?

I would just go fasted and skip the morning gym

So they replied,

Gonna be around R3k, for all the tests Empire mentioned.

I will have to split it up into two batches, Which are the most important right now? Im really keen on the test one,

I get the following done 2 times a year:

Full blood count
Testosterone (Free, total, index)
E2
LFT (Liver Function)
PSA (Prostate)
Insulin
TSH (Thyroid)
UE Creatinine
Ferritin

I've never had an issue with any Ampath or Lancet in Centurion, Pretoria area. I usually go in and say I'd like to have some test done without a referral, tick the tests I want done on the form and pay cash. Results available on the ampath app 1-2 days afterwards.

Price Depends on the lab and if individual tests are done or if panels are requested. Panels are more expensive and should be done annually pending your progress, what you are using and where you are in your cycle. Individual tests can be used as indicators to track progress

This is a better collection of tests

Pending what you are using You might need to add a couple extra to cover Kidneys etc

Going to gym before the tests would influence your Glucose - Not advisable Rather skip for the day

Good combination of tests but again not comprehensive. Lipid profile vs Lipogram Vs Ordinary Cholesterol tests - The costs vary tremendously and depending where you are in your cycle you might be able to only do a Cholesterol test which should not be more than a couple of $$

Well thats one way to get your post count up.

So, going in tomorrow, 10pm tonight last feed, nothing till the tests are done
Hb1ac, fasted glucose, fasted insulin. Free testosterone.

Then end feb I will tackle the rest

Obelix wrote: Well thats one way to get your post count up.

So, going in tomorrow, 10pm tonight last feed, nothing till the tests are done
Hb1ac, fasted glucose, fasted insulin. Free testosterone.

Then end feb I will tackle the rest

I'm guessing it's ok to test all that. I don't really know the point of the hb1ac unless you checking for diabetes, but then your glucose wouldn't even register on a monitor and would say high. The insulin is going to be nice to have for future reference as you keep chipping away and trying to get that number just under 5. Good luck, let us know the results. Also it's expected for your testosterone levels to be very low at this point in time, but lets see.

I must say, im kinda shocked by the results. Its worse than I thought it would be , but also less?

Glucose fasting - 6.3mmol/L
S-Cholesterol - 5.4mmol/L
S-LDL Cholesterol 3.7mmol/L
S-HDL Cholesterol 1.2mmol/L
S-Non HDL Cholesterol 4.2mmol/L
S-Chol./HDL ratio 4.5
Triglyceride 1.2mmol/L

Waiting on the other results still. Should be in the morning

Obelix wrote: I must say, im kinda shocked by the results. Its worse than I thought it would be , but also less?

Glucose fasting - 6.3mmol/L
S-Cholesterol - 5.4mmol/L
S-LDL Cholesterol 3.7mmol/L
S-HDL Cholesterol 1.2mmol/L
S-Non HDL Cholesterol 4.2mmol/L
S-Chol./HDL ratio 4.5
Triglyceride 1.2mmol/L

Waiting on the other results still. Should be in the morning

Are you able to do a CAC scan?

Googling what it is, And that tells me , really good chance of no.....
Not yet anyways