Cheap Blood Test for Methotextrate | Arthritis Information

I've been taking methotextrate for a couple of months and I need to do a blood test soon to check my liver. Due to financial constraints, I would like to do as few blood tests as I can't afford them all. I think the cmp is absolutely necessary. Do I need to take the cbc too?

Also, does anyone know if there is a cheap place or organization that administers blood tests? I have been having my blood drawn at the hospital and it's about 0 each time, even with my insurance, so expensive. = (

Thanks for any advice.

I wish I had those answers for you, Cindy. Can you talk to your doc and see if he/she can help? I had a doc once that gave me a price break on ov's, gave sample meds and whittled down the labs to only what was absolute when I had financial needs. Our out-of-pocket has gone up this year and it really worries me. Good luck and let us know how it goes!
Waddie
Wow Cindy that's alot of money to shell out yourself for blood tests. I better count my lucky stars I only have a co pay.
I don't think the doctor would order tests unless they were necessary. I would be upfront about your dilema and see what he says about spreading the tests out further.
Hi Cindy,

I think an ALT/SGPT blood test is necessary if on MTX, as MTX can affect the liver, and these tests measure enzymes, that if present may indicate liver damage.

0 every two months is a lot to have to pay for labwork, discuss this with your doctor, perhaps he can can suggest some place other than the hospital that might be less expensive, or, perhaps even a different medication.

Good luck to you.
My RD checks for 3 things for blood work. I have not had blood drawn since October... I know bad, but I lost my lab paper. Then I got another one in December, but still have not made it to the hospital to get it done. I actually forgot about it. Found the labsheet in the car Monday. I was like "oops". Need to find out what day MIL is off school so she can run me by the hospital to get bloodwork.

I forget which 3 I get checked for I know one is hepatic, and the other CBC. The other one I have no idea about. I am on Imuran, NOT MTX. But I believe those were the same 3 tests my old GP tested me for, when I was on MTX, when I did not have insurance and it was only each time.

I hope you can find somewhere or something to help you get bloodwork in your price range.

joonie2009-01-13 20:22:12ALT and AST are the main things to monitor on MTX therapy but kidney functions can also be affected by it. Also, a CBC is probably going to be a good idea with it. I think my standing order from my rheumatologist includes:

CBC

ALT/AST (which is probably included in a basic chemistry profile along with kidney function)

ESR

I have no idea what to recommend to you as far as cheaper lab testing goes. Maybe health fairs if there are any? Is there maybe a low cost clinic or health department that offers basic laboratory testing? I got mine done free when I was in school to be a lab technician and when the values were off I went to the hospital lab to verify results and have something "official" sent to my doc.

Sorry I can't be of more help...but I do understand your situation and feel for you.

Bob

Here I found this off a website that talked about what should be monitored while taking MTX.

Blood tests should be arranged to monitor blood count, liver function and kidney function at least.

Well... Looks like on my labwork sheet that I do not get CBC. I get Comp. Metabolic panel, creatinine - serum & Hepatic function panel. I am on Imuran in place of MTX.

joonie2009-01-13 20:33:47Hi Cindy74,

The local hospital where I live run what they call blood clinics. The hospital lab and all their satellite labs do a blood draw for . They do this about every two months and it's open to everyone with or without insurance. Maybe you could call your local hospital and see if they have such a program. Good Luck...Hiking_gal

That was good advice hiking gal! Hope a hospital near Cindy does this!check out http://healthcheckusa.com

they offer an alternative which is often less expensive

hikinggal - great advice. i called around, but i couldn't find any clinics here. does anyone know of any in the Chicago area?

buckeye - Cool site! I love it ... only for the cbc is great. I can't find cmp (comprehensive metabolic panel) on the list? Is there another name for cmp?

thanks!