Questions about B Vitamins & Getting Lab Work done

Ok good got the baseline definition now :)  So I am set there...

I will get all the labs done and see where I am at compared to last time and where I should be, and then get some help adjusting anything I need to....

Barry and I don't recall stopping the viatamins last time, AND he feels for several reasons that stopping them is not necessary...  AND I really want to get them done now.  Rather than having to wait until next Monday or Tuesday....   so I have decided to get them done tomorrow :)  Feels good...

Yes he is a good steward of our money, but it is a pain in my little butt sometimes...  I am glad he is not a spender, I just which he was not quite so tight.  AND I know you are right only I can allow someone to hurt my feelings.  But rather than just feeling it, I said it.  I can choose not to say anything, but I have to learn how not to feel anything and that is the tricky part :)

I know how you know ...  lol

Hugs to you my sweet friend,

Cindy

Right on!  GO on with your self care taking self!  :} 

Brandi Said:

"Barry is a good steward of yall's money, like Fella is a good steward of our money. if it were up to you and me, we would have everything we want and live in a box.  :}  You and me, we are responsible for how we take their words and decide if they are hurtful or not.

Barry wants you healthy, but its a bite out of the budget. That is just a fact.  Its not personal, its the budget man talking.  :}"

Cindy Says:

Ok, now he has gone to bed sad, upset, angry...
He does not think I 'need' all of these tests.  He thinks I am getting more tests done than I need.  And he claims it is not the expense, but I know it is...  He keeps bring up, if I did less of them it would cost less, and maybe when I see what I actually need, it will cost less... that kind of thing."

I love him so much, but sometimes I find it really hard to deal with his extreme frugalness... I don't want to hurt him, I don't want to disappoint him, I don't want to spend the money either, I am not a spender... but I have too.  I really need to get these done.  I need to do what is best for my health.  Burying my head in the sand or trying to please him could really affect my health.

I am going to get everything done that I am supposed to.  But he will not be happy with the bill.  He wants me to wait until I have all of the information and list from everyone, then call and get a quote on what it will cost.  So I guess I won't be getting it done tomorrow.  He also does not feel like going with me.  He has been my rock through this depression, he has been amazing and so kind and patient, but I think he is getting to the end of his rope.  And who can blame him.  I feel bad for him, he has taken on so much of what I normally can do, and all that he already does (he is a VERY hard worker) and now I am asking for more...  poor guy.

I can do this on my own, it will be a challenge in my current state, but I will find a way... I know it is important.

Thanks for listening Brandi...

Big hugs,

Cindy

Just ask him what your health is worth. That should shut him up.

I think it's pretty important to get the full set done for the first couple of years. Then, if you have no problems, you can cut back to only the ones that give people trouble. But, honestly, the basic set that most people get done even if they don't have WLS  is about 75% of the tests so there's not a lot to cut back on.

Thank you...

Ok ladies, thank you so much this is excellent information, on my last labs my B12 was 2400...  so I before I change anythng with any of the supplements I am taking I am going to get my blood work done again.

I am in Belize, and I could not get 'all' of the tests done that I wanted to, and what I did get done cost me US$350.

So what do I 'REALLY NEED' to get checked when I get my full bloodwork done?  Do you always get everything checked?  Or do you select what is most important to have checked?  I would rather not have to put out $350 bucks again, but I iwll if I have to.

Do you pay for it out of pocket or are you covered?

I am going tomorrow so any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Hugs,

Cindy

Cindy, here's a link to the tests LapSF recommends:

http://www.lapsf.com/downloads/Annual%20lab%20testing%20PTC%20SIGNED.pdf

These are the ones I get annually, though I'm a little late this year! It seems like each year, I'm a touch low on something, usually sitll within normal limits, but barely. Once it was B1, once iron...anyway, I do get them all each year, but my insurance does cover it. I would certainly make sure about your D3! I don't know, when was the last time you had full blood work done? If it was all normal and within the last year, maybe you can go two years. I believe Dr. Cirangle gave Diane the go ahead to get it done every two years as she has to pay for them as well....

Lizanne

Gosh I checked about an hour ago and that is when I noticed my B12 was so high...  so I am less concerned about that now....  But I am more concerned about getting my labs done.  I can't beleive it, I got them done at 6 mos and have not got them done again.  So it has been over 1.5 years since they were done.

This is not acceptable, I take all of my viatamins and supplements faithfully, always have, but I need to keep up the labs.

Thanks so much for your help Lizzy I really appreciate it.

Do you stop taking your vits 3 days before you get your lab work done, I was going to go tommorow, but Brandi used to wait 3 days, maybe I will have to wait until next week.  (they only do them on Monday and Tuesday mornings....)

Oh and my D has always been high because of where I live and my long walks, but it might be lower now that I am no longer walking...

Big hugs,

Cindy

All insurance companies are different and programs have different requirements.

I just had my yearly labs done:

cbc with differential

lipid panel

random blood glucose

HgA1c

ALT (liver function test)

AST (liver function test)

Alkaline Phosphotase

TSH, T4, Total T3, Free T4 (I'm on thyroid medication) TSH should be the minimum

Prealbumin (protein marker)

Albumin (protein marker)

BUN, Creatinine (kidney function)

Calcium

PTH (parathyroid hormone)

Vitamin D (25-OH)

Vitamin A

Thiamine

Folate RBC

B-12

Magnesium

phosphorus

Sodium

Potassium

Iron

Ferritin

Transferrin

PT (pro-thrombin time)

PT INR (blood clotting factor)

I think that is it.


Gail

I pay for it out of pocket too. I had my b12 taken in Mexico when I went for my face lift and it was much cheaper.

I take a B complex and sublingual B12 once a week and my labs were good. You can probably order from vitacost.com.. they have very good prices and the shipping is 4.99 if you order $49.00 worth of stuff. I get my protein drinks there too. They have everything you can think of. I don't see why they would not ship to Belize.

I went to Belize last March and you live in very beautiful place!