Testing Overview

Why do doctors recommend tests?

Doctors recommend tests to diagnose or rule out certain conditions, monitor the progression of a disease, or to evaluate the effectiveness of a treatment. Some common reasons for testing include:

1. Symptoms: A doctor may order tests if a patient is experiencing certain symptoms, such as fatigue, pain, or changes in their bowel movements, to help determine the cause.
2. Screening: Certain tests, such as mammograms or colon cancer screenings, are recommended as a preventative measure for people who are at a higher risk of certain diseases.
3. Monitoring: Tests may be used to monitor the progression of a disease or to check for side effects of treatment. For example, a blood test may be done to check a patient''s glucose levels if they have diabetes.
4. Diagnosis: Tests can be used to diagnose a condition. For example, a blood test can be used to diagnose anemia, or a CT scan can be used to diagnose a tumor.
5. Follow-up: After an initial diagnosis, doctors may recommend tests to monitor the patient''s progress and make sure the treatment is working.

It is important to keep in mind that testing is not always necessary, it depends on the patient’s symptoms, medical history and other factors. The doctor will consider these factors when deciding whether or not to recommend a test.

What tests are typically performed in Functional and Integrative Medicine?

Functional and integrative medicine practitioners often use a variety of tests to evaluate patients health and identify underlying imbalances that may be contributing to their symptoms. Some common tests used in functional and integrative medicine include:

1. Blood tests: These may include tests to evaluate nutrient levels, such as vitamin and mineral levels, as well as tests to evaluate hormone levels, such as thyroid hormones, adrenal hormones and sex hormones.
2. Stool testing: These tests can be used to evaluate gut health, including the presence of beneficial bacteria, yeast and parasites, and to look for markers of inflammation and malabsorption.
3. Urine testing: This type of testing is used to evaluate the body's detoxification pathways, and to assess the levels of certain nutrients and minerals in the body.
4. Saliva testing: This type of testing is used to evaluate hormone levels in the body, particularly cortisol and DHEA.
5. Genetic testing: This type of testing can be used to identify genetic variations that may be contributing to certain health conditions.
6. Food intolerance testing: This type of testing helps identify foods that may be causing inflammation or contributing to symptoms.
7. Heavy metal testing: This type of testing is used to evaluate the levels of heavy metals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium in the body.
8. Oxidative stress testing: This type of testing helps identify the level of free radicals in the body.
9. Methylation testing: This type of testing helps identify genetic variations that may be contributing to certain health conditions

It is important to note that not all functional and integrative medicine practitioners use the same tests, and the specific tests used may vary depending on the practitioner and the patient's individual needs.

Which medical  tests are done in your office?

There are a variety of tests which we perform or for which we collect and process samples in our office. Some examples include:

1. Blood tests: These can include complete blood count (CBC) to check for anemia, infection, and other conditions, as well as tests to evaluate cholesterol, glucose, and liver function.
2. Urine tests: These can include urinalysis to check for infection, kidney function, and the presence of glucose or protein in the urine.
3. Stool tests: These can include fecal occult blood tests to check for blood in the stool, which can be a sign of colon cancer or other conditions.
4. Rapid diagnostic tests: These can include strep tests, flu tests, and pregnancy tests.
5. Skin tests: These can include skin tests for allergies, such as the skin prick test.
6. Spirometry: This test measures lung function and can help diagnose conditions such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
7. Electrocardiogram (ECG): This test records the electrical activity of the heart to check for conditions such as arrhythmias.
8. Pulmonary function test (PFT):This test measures how well your lungs are working

Which Tests are typically done by your Gynecologist in your office?

A gynecologist is a doctor who specializes in the female reproductive system and women's health. There are a variety of tests that may be performed by our gynecologist, depending on the patient's specific health concerns. Some examples include:

1. Pap smear: This test is used to screen for cervical cancer and abnormal cells on the cervix.
2. Pelvic exam: During this exam, the gynecologist will visually and manually inspect the pelvic organs, including the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
3. Breast exam: During this exam, the gynecologist will check for lumps or other abnormalities in the breast tissue.
4. HPV test: This test can detect the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a common cause of cervical cancer.
5. Transvaginal ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to create images of the pelvic organs, including the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
6. Colposcopy: This test is used to examine the cervix and vagina in more detail.
7. Culture and sensitivity test: This test is done to detect bacterial infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea.
8. Blood tests: These can include tests for pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other conditions.

It is important to note that not all these tests will be performed on every visit and the specific tests done will depend on the patient's specific health concerns and the gynecologist's recommendations.

How much does the testing cost?

At Patients Medical, we charge a flat fee of $30.00 for standard testing involving blood, stool, and Urine collection.

The samples are processed in the office and then sent to a major outside laboratory like LabCorp or Bio-Reference to do the Testing and send a report to the Doctor.

Standard Lab costs without Insurance:

If you do not have insurance or do not know how much your insurance company will pay for, please contact our office at 1-212-794-8800  before testing is scheduled so we can get you an estimate,  We have successfully many times had the testing labs give discounts on the cost. You will pay the Laboratory directly for any co-pay or other testing costs:

Standard Lab costs with insurance:

Commercial insurance covers most tests, and your standard deductibles apply in that scenario. If you have high-deductible insurance through your employer or buy it separately, you'll be responsible for the deductible. Some plans will reimburse you at the negotiated lab fee on the front end, while others won't until you've met your deductible.

Functional lab Testing and costs:

Specialized tests sent to  functional labs may not be covered by insurance carriers.  Organic acid testing,  allergy, advanced stool testing, salivary, hormone, and adrenal testing fall into this category.

The samples are processed in the office and then sent to vendors ranging from Genova, Doctors Data, ZRT, US Biotech, Heal.me,  Great Plains Labs and Mycometrics, to do the Testing and send a report to the Doctor

The Lab will bill you directly and you will pay the Lab directly for any co-pay or other testing costs. In recommending which Lab to use we focus first to ensure that they can provide the specific testing needed, and secondly which of these offers the lowest cost for the test desired to evaluate your health.

We strongly recommend that you reach out to your insurance provider and inquire what  is the coverage under your policy .

Straight, non-supplemented Medicare offers the most comprehensive coverage by far for our practice, as it covers the majority of functional and routine labs. Supplemental insurance with Medicare, on the other hand, may sometimes "take over" the expense and not cover functional labs.

New York State Testing Restrictions:

New York State Laws limit the functional and integrative medical testing that can be done in New York. These typically apply to Hair and Saliva testing. Before ordering a test, we typically check with the Functional laboratory doing the test to ensure it can be done in New York.