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Gina · 01-02-2006, 01:26 PM

One of the best things about using Lab Corp is that if you ask for the serial her-2 and the serial CA 27/29 (and anything other one you want to see over time regularly like the CEA or the CA 15-3 or CA 125....) they also send you these REALLy cool graphs..so you can easily monitor your progress...I like to use the graphs as bio-feedback and then gauge my herceptin dosage and frequency accordingly...very helpful...

Lab Corp is a great lab for these markers. Most insurances...like carefirst and other Blue Cross Blue Shield use them anyway. The Quest results (Medicare uses Quest as their principal lab in this area anyway) can also be used but you don't get the cool graph, or I didn't anyway. The problem with the Specialty Lab is that usually their test is more of just a PASS / FAIL...they will give you the EXACT number your serum her-2 is below 15 but it if is OVER the HIGH value..all they say is HIGH greater than 15 so if you have mets with HIGH levels of serum her-2..it makes it difficult to monitor your progress.

Therefore...I think, anyway, that if you can get access to Labcorp you should send the bloodwork there or better yet..go there and have them draw it in one of their facilities...so its gets frozen right away.

Labcorp has tons of experience and they can also draw the VERY tricky serum Vitamin A test...not for the faint of heart...the technician must be able to hit your vein in the dark by feel--so you will need a top rate phlabotomist, then, he or she must also be coordinated enough to immediately get the blood draw into a special opaque tube as Vitamin A is degraded by any light that might hit it. Ah..yes, had I but one dollar for every blood draw I've seen in my lifetime..well...let's just say, I could practically retire..smile smile smile...

Best luck to all,
Gina

01-02-2006, 01:26 PM	#6
Gina Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 197	I like to use Lab Corp Group also. One of the best things about using Lab Corp is that if you ask for the serial her-2 and the serial CA 27/29 (and anything other one you want to see over time regularly like the CEA or the CA 15-3 or CA 125....) they also send you these REALLy cool graphs..so you can easily monitor your progress...I like to use the graphs as bio-feedback and then gauge my herceptin dosage and frequency accordingly...very helpful... Lab Corp is a great lab for these markers. Most insurances...like carefirst and other Blue Cross Blue Shield use them anyway. The Quest results (Medicare uses Quest as their principal lab in this area anyway) can also be used but you don't get the cool graph, or I didn't anyway. The problem with the Specialty Lab is that usually their test is more of just a PASS / FAIL...they will give you the EXACT number your serum her-2 is below 15 but it if is OVER the HIGH value..all they say is HIGH greater than 15 so if you have mets with HIGH levels of serum her-2..it makes it difficult to monitor your progress. Therefore...I think, anyway, that if you can get access to Labcorp you should send the bloodwork there or better yet..go there and have them draw it in one of their facilities...so its gets frozen right away. Labcorp has tons of experience and they can also draw the VERY tricky serum Vitamin A test...not for the faint of heart...the technician must be able to hit your vein in the dark by feel--so you will need a top rate phlabotomist, then, he or she must also be coordinated enough to immediately get the blood draw into a special opaque tube as Vitamin A is degraded by any light that might hit it. Ah..yes, had I but one dollar for every blood draw I've seen in my lifetime..well...let's just say, I could practically retire..smile smile smile... Best luck to all, Gina