Lab Corp.....

I went in to have my every 6 months bloods drawn, and disagreed with the tech about the Vitamin A needing to be light protected at the draw time until testing.  She kept claiming that wasn't so, it only had to be light protected after it was spun and the serum was separated....etc.    She showed me the computer printout of what 'they' said needed to be done...and it didn't say anything about light protection. 

  I came home, went to the Lab Corp web site   (www.labcorp.com) and looked up the tests.  Apparently, Vitamin A as well as E and K have to be light protected.  WTF????   In 6 years, they've never done anything but occasionally wrap a sticker around the A to shut me up.    ALSO, we're supposed to avoid Vit A containing foods for 48 hours prior to testing.  Vit K is supposed to be frozen after the draw....  I'm thinking this lab doesn't do this...she didn't mention (complain) about that to me,  just the number of tubes she had to draw...

Does anyone else have to use LabCorp because of insurance reasons?  Have you had similar experiences with them...?  Has anyone made a blood work FAQ about what to avoid prior?    An oldster, but always needing to learn!   Mary C

I just got a call from Lab Corp saying I need to come back so that they can retake my blood because the Vitamin A wasn't done correctly.  SMH! 

Google dark blood draws.  I read about it on another thread myself.  I had to remind the person doing the blood draws at Kaiser, so it's probably like this where ever you go.  You have to stay on top of the health professionals no matter what you do these days.

Hi Mary!  How ya doin?

I have taken the instruction sheets in with me and given to the lab tech.  First I explain, how important these tests are to me, and that I malabsorb nutrients, blah,blah, blah.

If you read the sections labeled "Container"  it seems to say that if amber tubes with amber tops are used then foil is not needed.

Yeah, I stop A vites for 2 days in advance.  -Jenny

Thanks for the replies...   I think I will bring the instruction sheets with me the next time!  I just hate this being a big waste of my time and having to go for the re-draws....and, no, no amber tubes were used....aarrgghh

Can anyone get me an instruction sheet for the blood draws? Also medicare did not pay for my iron binding test and a few others. does anyone else have problems getting the tests covered?

If my primary orders them, and uses the correct diagnosis codes for obesity, malabsorption, anemia...I haven't had any trouble having them covered   BC/BS Horizon PPS   NJ                  I can look up what codes were on the forms if you need me too.  Just PM me, because the notifications on here don't seem to be working!   Mary C