Affordable blood testing labs in Canada?

exploder

exploder

New member
I need to find out about labs where we can get order-online, home-sampled, mail-in blood work done in here in BC and/or Canada. I'm in small town BC with lousy local doctors, and I am just trying to get my basics tested for baseline before starting TRT. I found letsgetchecked online, and people on reddit said they were OK, but I have no idea if they are reasonably priced (seems like there are lots of MUCH cheaper options in the USA). I'm also not impressed that they ship their sample kits out of Ireland, which means slow shipping and poor tracking, I'm waiting over a whole week for my first test kit and have no idea if it's actually moving faster than a snail from basically the other side of the planet.

So how does this work? Do we have good and affordable options in Canada, or are we stuck with private clinics who take blood samples? I also see tia health, which offers online doctors covered by BCmed, who can then give you requisitions, which would clearly make the labs free, so good price.

Am I approaching this wrong, should I be finding an online doc in BC to get the labs instead of thinking complete DIY?
 
I would keep pushing the local doctors to help you out with getting some labs done, have you told them what its for? If so make sure they do realize how important it is for AAS users to get reg bloodwork. I got the same shit from my idiotic feminazi hack 'doctor' even after telling her what it was for, next day called a local clinic and had a male doctor get me everything I asked for regarding bloods in 10 minutes.
 
addy said:
I would keep pushing the local doctors to help you out with getting some labs done, have you told them what its for? If so make sure they do realize how important it is for AAS users to get reg bloodwork. I got the same shit from my idiotic feminazi hack 'doctor' even after telling her what it was for, next day called a local clinic and had a male doctor get me everything I asked for regarding bloods in 10 minutes.
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If you go this route just make sure you know the implications of revealing all to your doctor.
 
SonOfOdin said:
The same people who could get the juice ? If you only had one vehicle the rest of your life, and that vehicle broke down because of lack of maintenance? Your body's the same good sir! Can't lift if your motor stops tickin! There's always a way!

Regards
SonOfOdin
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250 300 though theres better options. Im still not home yet but im hopin to get to after hrs clinic to get a note so i can go to the blood clinic , do the after hrs clinic send your doctor the results or is it considered a private testing?
 
Harley00 said:
250 300 though theres better options. Im still not home yet but im hopin to get to after hrs clinic to get a note so i can go to the blood clinic , do the after hrs clinic send your doctor the results or is it considered a private testing?
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It will be in your record.
 
It been said here already but I use LGC all the time for hormone panels. I wait for a 50% sale and buy a few kits and they last a year. Their service is very good, they always respond, and results are available in about a week. I am not in a Province that has Naturopaths that can order blood. They can suggest it but a GP has to full out the requisition form.
I use my regular doc for blood tests I want done as well.
I have three requisition forms for blood work from my doc and I check what I want done and then meet and discuss. She knows I read the results, keep a copy, and study what all results mean so it isn't a one way conversation prior to the appointment. It took a year to build that trust. If you can talk their language and earn their trust you may get the same treatment. I am lucky to have a doc who gives a shit and has empathy.

The only danger in not revealing AAS use would be if you had a problem related to the use and didn't tell the doctors, it would be a wild goose chase for a potential explanation which could be AAS related and an endo might be able to advise. The opposite can occur to - every issue you may have will get blamed on AAS which isn't a reasonable conclusion for a doctor.
 
Harley00 said:
250 300 though theres better options. Im still not home yet but im hopin to get to after hrs clinic to get a note so i can go to the blood clinic , do the after hrs clinic send your doctor the results or is it considered a private testing?
Click to expand...
Hey @Harley00 - like @Sorbate said, if you go to a clinic and they will ask you who your family physician is. The doctor at the clinic that orders blood will get a copy as will your GP/family physician. If your testosterone comes up very high, they will no doubt call you and want to retest and if still up discuss or send you to an endo if you don't explain why. It becomes part of your permanent file.
Being honest with your doctor can be a good thing most of the time but the biggest issue most BB's have is some doctors will automatically blame steroids for any anomaly and not investigate further.
This is how it works in Atlantic Canada - suspect the same across Canada. Just a suggestion, your taxes pay for these doctors and all results are yours. You have the right to ask for a copy of all reports. I suggest you start your own file and then you can look back with dates, anomalies, etc. and it will help you in the future if you have any issues.
take care,
GR
 
Goldenrod said:
Hey @Harley00 - like @Sorbate said, if you go to a clinic and they will ask you who your family physician is. The doctor at the clinic that orders blood will get a copy as will your GP/family physician. If your testosterone comes up very high, they will no doubt call you and want to retest and if still up discuss or send you to an endo if you don't explain why. It becomes part of your permanent file.
Being honest with your doctor can be a good thing most of the time but the biggest issue most BB's have is some doctors will automatically blame steroids for any anomaly and not investigate further.
This is how it works in Atlantic Canada - suspect the same across Canada. Just a suggestion, your taxes pay for these doctors and all results are yours. You have the right to ask for a copy of all reports. I suggest you start your own file and then you can look back with dates, anomalies, etc. and it will help you in the future if you have any issues.
take care,
GR
Click to expand...
I was in the middle of getting life insurance when i get back. I think there are a few options to go with with without doing the whole physical and tests i just dont wanna screw up a life insurance plan untill i can get my levels right if they arent at momment they could be.or ill just wait till end of year after 15 weeks pct. Then do full checks. They make it so hard when you dont have a good doctor you can communicate to
 
Harley00 said:
Who can afford that much though for a full panel?
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I guess it's where your priorities lie.

I go to my GP for everything excluding hormones. Hormones I use LGC because I dont want any of that on my record. For HCT/HGB go donate blood and they'll tell you.

So $200 for a full hormone panel is a pretty good price really and it means no awkward conversation, its super convenient and you get the results very quickly. Also they usually have 20-40% off all the time (I just paid $180).

It boggles my mind the amount of money guys blow on gear yet have a problem with paying that for bloodwork. The way I see it is that we shouldn't be using our healthcare/walk ins for trying to 'dial in our estrogen' when it's all self inflicted.
 
not trying to start any more debates (lol) but think of all the people who drink themselves to near death with alcohol, should they not be able to get their health checked because its self inflicted? I pay my taxes and Im going to use this socialist system to my advantage if need be. Now with that out of the way, I understand for people who want life insurance that mentioning their AAS use is the worst thing you can do, but are there any other repercussions to having AAS use on your medical record? goldenrod has said they might tend to blame any further health issues on it which totally makes sense. Its already on my record now Im just curious.
 
addy said:
I would keep pushing the local doctors to help you out with getting some labs done, have you told them what its for? If so make sure they do realize how important it is for AAS users to get reg bloodwork. I got the same shit from my idiotic feminazi hack 'doctor' even after telling her what it was for, next day called a local clinic and had a male doctor get me everything I asked for regarding bloods in 10 minutes.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the feedback, and LOL at how you so aptly describe your female doc who was ideologically unequipped to support you, I agree that's a very real issue. My very small town has too few doctors, there are seldom free choices, and there are more women than men, lots of whom lean towards thinking in terms of "toxic masculinity". My own doc is a near-retirement tired out pill pusher, runs his office as a prescription mill, and with his hobby being a marathon runner with a holier than thou attitude about fitness, I fully expect his attitude about TRT to be "roids ur bad mkay". I'm willing to try hitting him up for TRT, but not until I have an arsenal of info available. I'm also not willing to settle with not-quite-low-enough numbers condemning me to a life without going optimum T, because the symptoms are painfully obvious that MY body isn't happy with whatever numbers I have.

I think I might try the online out-of-town doctor trick, see if I can get lucky finding someone willing to order more comprehensive labs than the basic LGC panel I already ordered. No harm in it, and free is a good price.
 
Harley00 said:
Who can afford that much though for a full panel?
Click to expand...

SonOfOdin said:
The same people who could get the juice ?
Click to expand...

Its only maybe 200 for a 6 month supply of UGL T400 and pins to do TRT. The labs end up being by far the most expensive part of DIY TRT, if you want comprehensive panels done. The cheapest fully private option seems to be letsgetchecked, at least for a basic T panel. Price of more comprehensive labs might well be the strongest reason why having even bad doc willing to order full labs, can be a basic necessity.
 
ABMonkey said:
I guess it's where your priorities lie.

I go to my GP for everything excluding hormones. Hormones I use LGC because I dont want any of that on my record. For HCT/HGB go donate blood and they'll tell you.

So $200 for a full hormone panel is a pretty good price really and it means no awkward conversation, its super convenient and you get the results very quickly. Also they usually have 20-40% off all the time (I just paid $180).

It boggles my mind the amount of money guys blow on gear yet have a problem with paying that for bloodwork. The way I see it is that we shouldn't be using our healthcare/walk ins for trying to 'dial in our estrogen' when it's all self inflicted.
Click to expand...

I guess I'm with @addy when it comes to not having any qualms about the system paying for my labs, especially when all I'm doing here is the simplest of TRT optimization. Hell, the system should be thanking me, because there's a mile long list of sickness I'm about to prevent here, which should cost VASTLY less than labs now and then to make sure I'm on track.

Besides, I thought the argument for letting estrogen be what it will naturally be were pretty much airtight, at least for simple TRT. Not trying to start an argument here, more asking in case I'm missing something.
 
Goldenrod said:
It been said here already but I use LGC all the time for hormone panels. I wait for a 50% sale and buy a few kits and they last a year. Their service is very good, they always respond, and results are available in about a week. I am not in a Province that has Naturopaths that can order blood. They can suggest it but a GP has to full out the requisition form.
I use my regular doc for blood tests I want done as well.
I have three requisition forms for blood work from my doc and I check what I want done and then meet and discuss. She knows I read the results, keep a copy, and study what all results mean so it isn't a one way conversation prior to the appointment. It took a year to build that trust. If you can talk their language and earn their trust you may get the same treatment. I am lucky to have a doc who gives a shit and has empathy.

The only danger in not revealing AAS use would be if you had a problem related to the use and didn't tell the doctors, it would be a wild goose chase for a potential explanation which could be AAS related and an endo might be able to advise. The opposite can occur to - every issue you may have will get blamed on AAS which isn't a reasonable conclusion for a doctor.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the confirmation that LGC is legit and good, the great tips, and for the inspiring approach as to what kind of relationship to try to build with a doctor. In my small town, I know I'm going to be digging deeper than my doc, and need to be the person with the TRT knowhow and current knowledge, but it would be good to have a doc on board to watch my back on all the other health stuff.
 
Goldenrod said:
Hey @Harley00 - like @Sorbate said, if you go to a clinic and they will ask you who your family physician is. The doctor at the clinic that orders blood will get a copy as will your GP/family physician. If your testosterone comes up very high, they will no doubt call you and want to retest and if still up discuss or send you to an endo if you don't explain why. It becomes part of your permanent file.
Being honest with your doctor can be a good thing most of the time but the biggest issue most BB's have is some doctors will automatically blame steroids for any anomaly and not investigate further.
This is how it works in Atlantic Canada - suspect the same across Canada. Just a suggestion, your taxes pay for these doctors and all results are yours. You have the right to ask for a copy of all reports. I suggest you start your own file and then you can look back with dates, anomalies, etc. and it will help you in the future if you have any issues.
take care,
GR
Click to expand...

If you were to answer that you don't have a family Dr, then they wouldn't send it anywhere. Personally I "recently moved to your fine community and have not been able to find a family Dr yet" which makes complete sense of course (and the home address on my DL is my parents place if you must know.)

But yeah if you give anyone your carecard # for billing it will be on your record should an authorized person go diggin...
 
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