BHRT & Weight Management Testing

Saliva testing is an accurate form of testing showing what is “bioavailable”. This is not the same for serum testing, so some experts consider this testing more accurate. This test is done at your home. The test kit comes with a prepaid UPS label and once the sample is collected, you ship it directly to the lab for analysis. This testing can be done without a provider’s order. Insurance does not pay for this testing, but a health savings plan can be used to pay if a provider does order the kit.

Blood spot testing is another accurate form of testing for levels that are “bioavailable” using capillary blood. This test is also done in your home with a test kit that contains all you need to collect the sample. If testing thyroid levels, this is the test that will be used. Medicare will pay for this type of testing with a provider’s order. As with saliva, other insurance will not pay, but with a provider’s order, a health savings plan can be used to pay for it.

Serum testing would be done in a lab setting whether at a self-standing lab or at your provider’s office. It would require an order from your provider. Insurance may be more likely to pay for this type of testing, although out of pocket costs can be more than the cost of saliva or blood spot test kits. If you do know that your cost will be less with serum, the pharmacist would be happy to request the labs that need to be ordered by your provider. This does of course depend on the office and provider.

Urine testing is another alternative and can be very helpful in finding out how your hormones are metabolizing. Patient’s with a family history of breast cancer may be particularly interested in this testing and the pharmacist will be glad to review the value in this test.