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A comment on Vitamin D, the Sunshine Supplement, Has Shadowy Money Behind It.

Re:Vitamin D, the Sunshine Supplement, Has Shadowy Money Beh... by fma on Sunday August 19, 2018 @08:44AM (#17794075)
I was tested for vitamins D two years ago and was found to be low. I was told to take an OTC supplement. That test was covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance. I've taken some here and there.

This year, my wife and I got tested again...new insurance (Aetna) and it wasn't covered. We have different doctors, so to the point of the article, doctors are asking for the tests more now. My range is nornal. I don't feel a huge difference, but admittedly I did at first, but could be placebo effect.

So three gripes.

1)Not knowing a test isn't covered before a test is executed

2)Doctors performing test that may not be necessary (per the article)?

3) There is no medical consensus on what is 'nornal'...and the range ised by Quest borders what can be doable?!

Also, my dad who is on medicare got tested too, for the first time last year. He was low. He lives in South Florida and gets plenty of sun from being outdoors.

Sigh.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Vitamin D, the Sunshine Supplement, Has Shadowy Money Beh... by bproven on Sunday August 19, 2018 @10:52AM (#17794506)
If you really want to get the test, you can do it yourself online (usingonline lab test sites) - at least in most states in the US - cost of the D3 blood test is only about $40 if you pay out of pocket. You basically buy the test and arrange a blood draw at a local Quest Diagnostics / LabCorp. The lab then sends you the results directly via email.

If you want you can then bring that to your doctor for guidance

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Vitamin D, the Sunshine Supplement, Has Shadowy Money Beh... by fma on Sunday August 19, 2018 @04:16PM (#17795960)
That's rather interesting. From Google, I guess you're referring to a site like directlabs.com or www.healthlabs.com?

The 'contract rated' for my test ($30?) was less than the pricing those sites are offering, but at least good to know for future if I want to do it outside the doctors visit.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Vitamin D, the Sunshine Supplement, Has Shadowy Money Beh... by bproven on Sunday August 19, 2018 @05:09PM (#17796189)
yeah, basically sites like that. Like you state - a good option if you want to do it outside a doctors visit to check on levels
[ Parent | on HN ]