Question:
Why is my Insurance Co requesting blood work?

I am awaiting insurance approval. The surgeon's office called today saying the Insurance Co is requesting blood work, TSH, CMP and a blood test to check my adrenal gland. Is this a good sign or a bad one? I'm a nervous wreck    — Patty N. (posted on January 15, 2004)

January 15, 2004
It is typical for some insurance companies to ask for bloodwork. They want a TSH to check your thyroid function. It's not something you probably need to worry about.
   — Mandybub

January 15, 2004
My insurance company required the same bloodwork. I was told by my case manager that they would not approve my surgery if I had abnormal thyroid functions.
   — Rose B

January 15, 2004
In preparing for my surgery my surgeon required pre-op blood work. CMP is a blood test that will check for conditions like Diabetes, liver and kidney diseases. TSH is to check your thyroid. These tests seem appropriate to have before getting the surgery. I would not be worried, but I am really in awe that your surgeon did not order these tests to begin with since these tests screen for diseases associated with obesity.
   — Kara J.

January 22, 2004
Like Kara, I am really surprised that this was not part of your must do's before surgery ... Having these blood test results can tell your surgeon if you are having problems that are not known or if you could have problems in the future ... Like liver function problems, high cholesterol, etc ... It's also a good "before" picture ... We are all having this surgery for health reasons so it's good to have blood test results afterward and can see results that way as well ... And we all want to be successful doing it ... So, if there are any problems that these tests can tell the surgeon about, he can put you on some medication to help with those problems right away ... Good luck on your journey!!
   — Amber W.

January 22, 2004
If they are asking for labs they must not have an ouright exclusion. Tsh- thyroid function, to rule out a thyroid problem that may need treatment and be causing weight gain. CMP, complelete metabolic profile, checks electrolytes, kidney function, glucose level , adrenal also would be involved in weight control. all of these are a good idea and quite frankly I am surprised you Dr. didn't want them himself to see that you are in a condition to have surgery or treat any other underlying causes of obesity.
   — **willow**