Cost of Celiac Panel

plain_old_donut · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 143 Location: MO

My new job has kept me out of the forum loop for a while. I get on now and then to take a peek at how things are going. But I have a question, so I'll jump back in and ask.

Well, I've finally taken the plunge and decided to get tested for CD. I have my test done on Monday morning, along with a test for blood sugar, and my annual thyroid level. The doctor recommended the blood sugar test because he suspects neuropathy in my toes, and I asked him if he could just do the CD panel while he was already poking me. (He didn't fuss because he is also my Dad's dr and knows that Dad has CD.)

Here's the question: when I asked the business office how much the CD panel costs, she told me it would be $106, but she didn't know what individual tests were included. As happy as I am that it's not more, I'm a little concerned that it sounds too cheap to include everything. To put it into perspective, the office visit is $75, and the thyroid is $75ish. I don't know how much the blood sugar is, I wasn't planning on that one.

Does this sound like it's in the normal price range?

Noatak · Joined: 13 Nov 2005 Posts: 494 Location: Massachusetts

That does sound low for a complete CD panel. I paid for mine out of pocket and all the tests, about 5 total, cost almost $400.00. Sounds like the doctor is only doing the very basics, even taking into account lab costs can vary wildly.

The other test that sounded low also is the thyroid level. Many HMO physicians only run a TSH, although there are actually 6 tests total for a complete thyroid screen. It's important to do the complete screen, much like it's important to do the complete panel for CD, to get a clear picture of what's going on. Thyroid antibody is essential if CD is suspected to see if the thyroid damage is due to autoimmune reaction. If you need the names of the tests, I could provide them for you.

ostrich · Joined: 30 Mar 2006 Posts: 4285 Location: Nebraska

I agree. I didn't end up getting the complete panel, and it was around $100. I would check out the complete panel and ask your doc if he's going to do the whole thing. I'd even print it out and show it to him.

P.S. - I'm not sure if it's an issue, but good luck getting the complete panel done. My blood had to be sent fairly far away.
_________________
Ostrich :>--O==={

Did you think that your feet had been bound
By what gravity brings to the ground?

plain_old_donut · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 143 Location: MO

OK, I'm off to the doc with list in hand.

I'm pretty sure when I checked a long time ago, that they also send their celiac stuff to a lab with more experience.

I'll aslo check on the thyroid test to see what's going on there.

Thanks for the input. I'll let you know what happens.

plain_old_donut · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 143 Location: MO

So, here's the deal. It seems that no one knows exactly what tests are in the Celiac Panel. When I finally was able to call Quest labs, where the tests were sent, they were not able to tell me about my particular blood test, because they can't give out patient information. But based on the costs of the different tests they use and what I was charged, I would guess that my "panel" consists of one test - serum IgA, I think. I'll just have to wait until next week to find out.

As for the thyroid test, all they ever measure is TSH. I was diagnosed as hypothyroid 16 years ago when my daughter was small, back in the olden days before normal people had computers in their homes. So I didn't know enough to ask questions about what caused it.

I'll let you know after Aug 27, what test I really had done and what the results are.

Noatak · Joined: 13 Nov 2005 Posts: 494 Location: Massachusetts

Yup, that's all many mainstream doctors do is check the TSH and that's like running one test for Celiac. It does not give you a clear picture of the problem.

I am shortly going to be in a mini-battle with my PCP because that's all she checks too. I found a good, non-HMO physician that does the full thyroid panel and she was the one who discovered my hypothyroid was autoimmune, which changes the way it will be treated. Apparently, the rest of the medical community is slow catching up with this, like they are with Celiac. You absolutely have to know what your T3 and T4 levels are, which are the actual
hormones of the thyroid. You also need the antibody levels because a compromised thyroid that stems from an autoimmune problem is a bit trickier to stabilize and you may have to suppress the TSH more to feel better. Most doctors only look at the TSH number and never even ask a patient how they feel.

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8783 Location: WI, USA

Here's what their website says:

http://www.questdiagnostics.com/hcp/topics/gastroent/celiac.html?gastroent

plain_old_donut · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 143 Location: MO

I have an appointment for Friday. I'm pretty sure we didn't do the (at additional charge) tests, but they sure took plenty of blood. I told them that last time I gave that much blood I got cookies and punch. Wink

plain_old_donut · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 143 Location: MO

Here are the tests I had done and the results.

B12: 456 pg/ml range 200-1100 (normal)

folate, serum: 15.3 ng/ml (nromal >5.4)

TTG Antibody, IGA: <3 U/ml (negative <5 )

IGA, serum: 181 mg/dl range 81-463 (normal)

Gliadin Antibody: (IGA) <3 U/ml (negative <11)

So, unless something important is missing, doc says definitely no CD.

Gotta run, late for work.

cruelshoes · Joined: 23 Sep 2005 Posts: 2679 Location: Washington State

Well, P_O_D, you've been hanging out with us for a while. Have you been GF all this time? If you have, that would throw off the results.....

Congrats on the good looking bloodwork.
_________________
-Colleen
Dx 8/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
10-YO son Dx 11/05 via bloodwork/biopsy
Daughters (12 and 2) have neg. bloodwork

A woman is like a tea bag-you never know how strong she is until she gets in hot water. - Eleanor Roosevelt

plain_old_donut · Joined: 03 Jan 2007 Posts: 143 Location: MO

I have not been GF. My dad has CD and he lives kinda sorta with us (trailer out the back door), and he eats his meals with us. He is he reason that I "hang out" with you guys (and ladies Smile

).

I have many "symptoms" that seem as if they could be CD related, but according to those results, I guess not.

I'm still considering another substantial GF trial when family life settles down. I tried for a couple weeks several months ago, but decided to go back to gluten until after testing. So I guess I'll try again sometime soon.

However, if Dad doesn't stop losing weight, I may consider a GF household, just to eliminate any cc risks involved with a "mixed" kitchen.
He now weighs 115 lbs, fully dressed, jeans, cowboy boots, and hat. He stands about 5' 7', so that's pretty thin.

aklap · Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 8783 Location: WI, USA