This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

How to Order Your Own Tests for Nutrient Levels
http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2016/03/ ... nt-levels/

The People's Pharmacy recommends several services for ordering your own nutrient level tests such as vitamin D3 and Vitamin B12 for example.

• AnyLabTestNow.com
  https://www.anylabtestnow.com/tests/micronutrient-test/
  
  
• HealthTestingCenters.com
  http://www.healthtestingcenters.com/
  
  
• HealthCheckUSA.com
  http://www.healthcheckusa.com/
  
  
• Life Extension
  http://www.lifeextension.com/vitamins-s ... nt-testing
  
  
• SpectraCell Laboratories
  http://www.spectracell.com/patients/pat ... t-testing/
  
  
• WellnessFX.com
  https://www.wellnessfx.com/

Many of these test are covered by medical insurance if you have it an you should check with the lab you choose to see whether it takes your medical insurance. And you may need an Rx from your doctor as well Not all labs listed above necessarily take medical insurance and your insurance provider may require you to use one of their recommended/preferred in-network labs in order for the cost of the tests to be covered by your insurance.

Whether you have insurance or not, the testing is an excellent idea and independent labs are usually very reasonably priced. And the big advantage to using an independent lab is that the results remain confidential (if this is important to you).

recalling also of course, that there are quite a few more nutrient tests of importance for MS patients than just D3 and B12 (regardless of current trendiness in the TiMS discussion)

Loosely related to the topic of testing in general … Feb 2014 article: "This Woman Invented a Way To Run 30 Lab Tests On Only One Drop of Blood" http://www.wired.com/2014/02/elizabeth-holmes-theranos/

Her company, Theranos, has partnered with many Walgreens Wellness Centers (search for one near you at their website) and offers a price menu (https://www.theranos.com/test-menu?ref=our_solution), which includes some nutrient testing at very reasonable prices – ferritin, magnesium, vitamin B12, vitamin D 25-OH. I assume that a doctor's order is still necessary for most tests, although I have not confirmed this – some tests may be available on a walk-in basis, as I know there are labs which do tests on a walk-in basis.


And still more loosely related… In a TV news report recently, I heard about SaveOnMedical (https://www.saveonmedical.com/) which helps patients compare and find affordable medical procedures. At present, it is set up for radiology procedures. The "Find Labs" feature is still to come – I don't know if this will include phlebotomy and lab tests.

As for vitamin D (25-hydroxy D) testing specifically, GrassrootsHealth is offering their test through March 31 for $48.75 (plus $5 shipping) – once you receive the test kit, it requires pricking a finger to obtain a few drops of blood which are put on supplied blotter card and returned by mail. This does NOT require a doctor's order. http://www.grassrootshealth.net/march-2 ... cial-offer

Life Extension Foundation is currently offering a sale on several blood tests. The vitamin D test is now priced at $30.

http://www.lifeextension.com/Vitamins-S ... Blood-Test