Do they automatically check testosterone levels when you get a complete blood test?

[KingGheedora]

Yeah, just wondering about that. I have sometimes experienced symptoms of low testosterone. Because I went in with a specific illness I totally forgot to ask about this. Would they have noticed this in my CBC and pointed it out?

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I'm unsure about this, but would be interested in the answer as well. I've recently joined a research study that will be taking and analyzing my blood so I wonder if I could ask them for this info.

 

[Special K]

I went to receive the "standard" blood panel tests (STDs, lipid profile, thyroid) and asked about getting testosterone levels checked. The doctor said that unless there is a specific symptom that would lead them to believe I have low testosterone levels, they won't test it, even if I wanted them to just out of curiosity.

You should call your doctor to get their answer, however.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Originally posted by: Special K
I went to receive the "standard" blood panel tests (STDs, lipid profile, thyroid) and asked about getting testosterone levels checked. The doctor said that unless there is a specific symptom that would lead them to believe I have low testosterone levels, they won't test it, even if I wanted them to just out of curiosity.

You should call your doctor to get their answer, however.

Ummm your the patient your paying him tell him to test you or your finding a real doctor.

 

[polarmystery]

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim

Originally posted by: Special K
I went to receive the "standard" blood panel tests (STDs, lipid profile, thyroid) and asked about getting testosterone levels checked. The doctor said that unless there is a specific symptom that would lead them to believe I have low testosterone levels, they won't test it, even if I wanted them to just out of curiosity.

You should call your doctor to get their answer, however.

Ummm your the patient your paying him tell him to test you or your finding a real doctor.

Did you do this on purpose? 😕

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim

Originally posted by: Special K
I went to receive the "standard" blood panel tests (STDs, lipid profile, thyroid) and asked about getting testosterone levels checked. The doctor said that unless there is a specific symptom that would lead them to believe I have low testosterone levels, they won't test it, even if I wanted them to just out of curiosity.

You should call your doctor to get their answer, however.

Ummm your the patient your paying him tell him to test you or your finding a real doctor.

Chances are your insurance is paying him, and they might see medically unnecessary tests in a different light.

 

[soccerballtux]

Originally posted by: Special K
I went to receive the "standard" blood panel tests (STDs, lipid profile, thyroid) and asked about getting testosterone levels checked. The doctor said that unless there is a specific symptom that would lead them to believe I have low testosterone levels, they won't test it, even if I wanted them to just out of curiosity.

You should call your doctor to get their answer, however.

Would loss of libido be one? is this what you're getting at King? I've also wondered this. Maybe I left puberty and that's all.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim

Originally posted by: Special K
I went to receive the "standard" blood panel tests (STDs, lipid profile, thyroid) and asked about getting testosterone levels checked. The doctor said that unless there is a specific symptom that would lead them to believe I have low testosterone levels, they won't test it, even if I wanted them to just out of curiosity.

You should call your doctor to get their answer, however.

Ummm your the patient your paying him tell him to test you or your finding a real doctor.

Chances are your insurance is paying him, and they might see medically unnecessary tests in a different light.

either way that's not for him to decide.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Originally posted by: polarmystery

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim

Originally posted by: Special K
I went to receive the "standard" blood panel tests (STDs, lipid profile, thyroid) and asked about getting testosterone levels checked. The doctor said that unless there is a specific symptom that would lead them to believe I have low testosterone levels, they won't test it, even if I wanted them to just out of curiosity.

You should call your doctor to get their answer, however.

Ummm ur the patient ur paying him tell him to test you or ur finding a real doctor.

Did you do this on purpose? 😕

sorry fixed

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim

Originally posted by: Special K
I went to receive the "standard" blood panel tests (STDs, lipid profile, thyroid) and asked about getting testosterone levels checked. The doctor said that unless there is a specific symptom that would lead them to believe I have low testosterone levels, they won't test it, even if I wanted them to just out of curiosity.

You should call your doctor to get their answer, however.

Ummm your the patient your paying him tell him to test you or your finding a real doctor.

Chances are your insurance is paying him, and they might see medically unnecessary tests in a different light.

either way that's not for him to decide.

That's not really all that true. A doctor can administer treatment as he or she sees fit. They can get in trouble with insurance companies by performing unnecessary tests. There's a lot of strings attached when you start dealing with insurance - I think you'd be surprised. However, if you explain symptoms of lethargy and decreased libido and say that you were researching it and that you think it might be low testosterone then most likely the doctor will run the bloodwork for it.

 

[Sust]

While I understand the "curiosity" part, I think it's important that people see the doctor-patient relationship as a two way street where both parties have to agree on the plan.
Treat the doctor the way you would want to be treated, and dont be afraid to ask questions.

Now then, I'm sure there is a way to get your testosterone level drawn, but there is no way the doc would be able to justify it to insurance unless you had a legitimate reason like your balls were shrinking and you lost all interest in sex. The insurance companies need to be convinced about a doc's course of action, and if they smell something funny then they can refuse payment.

Having said that, I'm sure theres an arrangement where you can tell the doc that you will pay for it yourself if necessary, but know that it might be costly and the doc wont know the price off the top of his head since that price normally varies from lab to lab.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: SociallyChallenged

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim

Originally posted by: Special K
I went to receive the "standard" blood panel tests (STDs, lipid profile, thyroid) and asked about getting testosterone levels checked. The doctor said that unless there is a specific symptom that would lead them to believe I have low testosterone levels, they won't test it, even if I wanted them to just out of curiosity.

You should call your doctor to get their answer, however.

Ummm your the patient your paying him tell him to test you or your finding a real doctor.

Chances are your insurance is paying him, and they might see medically unnecessary tests in a different light.

either way that's not for him to decide.

That's not really all that true. A doctor can administer treatment as he or she sees fit. They can get in trouble with insurance companies by performing unnecessary tests. There's a lot of strings attached when you start dealing with insurance - I think you'd be surprised. However, if you explain symptoms of lethargy and decreased libido and say that you were researching it and that you think it might be low testosterone then most likely the doctor will run the bloodwork for it.

This is pretty much the explanation the doctor gave. My insurance won't cover tests that aren't necessary, and checking testosterone levels just because I'm curious wouldn't likely be covered by insurance.

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim

Originally posted by: Special K
I went to receive the "standard" blood panel tests (STDs, lipid profile, thyroid) and asked about getting testosterone levels checked. The doctor said that unless there is a specific symptom that would lead them to believe I have low testosterone levels, they won't test it, even if I wanted them to just out of curiosity.

You should call your doctor to get their answer, however.

Ummm your the patient your paying him tell him to test you or your finding a real doctor.

Chances are your insurance is paying him, and they might see medically unnecessary tests in a different light.

either way that's not for him to decide.

So when I tell a doctor that I want a liver transplant just because I'm curious about it, he has no right to refuse me? Sometimes I wonder what planet you actually exist on. A doctor spends about a decade of his or her life learning about how to take care of you, he / she is the expert, not you. Sure, it helps to tell them what's wrong and to argue with them sometimes, but jesus christ, a doctor isn't there to do whatever you please just because YOU think it's a good idea.

 

[IceBergSLiM]

Originally posted by: BeauJangles

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: IcebergSlim

Originally posted by: Special K
I went to receive the "standard" blood panel tests (STDs, lipid profile, thyroid) and asked about getting testosterone levels checked. The doctor said that unless there is a specific symptom that would lead them to believe I have low testosterone levels, they won't test it, even if I wanted them to just out of curiosity.

You should call your doctor to get their answer, however.

Ummm your the patient your paying him tell him to test you or your finding a real doctor.

Chances are your insurance is paying him, and they might see medically unnecessary tests in a different light.

either way that's not for him to decide.

So when I tell a doctor that I want a liver transplant just because I'm curious about it, he has no right to refuse me? Sometimes I wonder what planet you actually exist on. A doctor spends about a decade of his or her life learning about how to take care of you, he / she is the expert, not you. Sure, it helps to tell them what's wrong and to argue with them sometimes, but jesus christ, a doctor isn't there to do whatever you please just because YOU think it's a good idea.

please tell me how testing a blood sample for hormones that is being taken for other reasons anyways is in any way equivalent to removing a necessary organ. And if I tell a doctor I want a non intrusive test he will either do it or I will change doctors. I not compromising his integrity or any part of his Hippocratic oath in asking him to perform a non intrusive test.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocratic_oath

If my insurance doesn't cover something(*which happens all the time in the real world btw*) I am billed for it and I pay for it. This isn't even an expensive test anyways its not like I'm demanding some thousand dollar MRI. end of story.

 

[The Sauce]

To answer the question, no, testosterone is not part of a rountine lab panel. It is an expensive test and low testosterone is relatively rare, especially in young people. If someone came to my office and requested a testosterone level I would not do it, in general, unless they had specific symptoms like erectile dysfunction and poor libido. You can get any test you want if you are willing to pay for it yourself (not insurance or medicaid). I would guess that the testosterone test costs a couple of hundreds $$. You want more testosterone? Do some squats and eat your protein. You'll have more testosterone than you know what to do with.

Physicians are the guardians of healthcare expense...to an extent. Everyone I see who strains their back wants their $2000 MRI that same day. Ain't gonna happen. Even if you have insurance, doing unnecessary tests drives up the cost of healthcare for everyone. Don't like it? Get another doctor, wait a month for the appointment and then hear it again from them...or go to medical school and get your degree. Roughly 11-13 years later (and about $400K in debt) you will have your degree and realize that you probably don't need the test.