Checking iron levels

[AbigailGrace]

What's the easiest way to have my iron checked? So far, we are UPing except for an U/S at 20ish weeks. But as I have been low on iron before, I thought it might be a good idea to check. Any thoughts on how/where to go without having to be a new patient somewhere and spend a fortune?

[Sailor]

As odd as this will sound, you can do blood tests online. By that, I mean, you pay a fee online, they make an appointment for you (at your convenience) to come into a lab center near you. They draw the blood. 48 hours later, you get your results via email (or regular mail, if your prefer).

You can pick and choose what type of blood tests you want, what you want them to look for, etc. The blood tests come with an explanation.

I've used healthcheckUSA in the past with excellent results. I've also used directlabs and labtestsonline.

We're also UPing ... so it's what I've done to check. Depending on the type of test, as well as where I went, the fees ranged from 50 to 75 to 150.

[AbigailGrace]

Originally Posted by Sailor

As odd as this will sound, you can do blood tests online. By that, I mean, you pay a fee online, they make an appointment for you (at your convenience) to come into a lab center near you. They draw the blood. 48 hours later, you get your results via email (or regular mail, if your prefer).

You can pick and choose what type of blood tests you want, what you want them to look for, etc. The blood tests come with an explanation.

I've used healthcheckUSA in the past with excellent results. I've also used directlabs and labtestsonline.

We're also UPing ... so it's what I've done to check. Depending on the type of test, as well as where I went, the fees ranged from 50 to 75 to 150.

THat's so odd...I've never heard of doing it online. Thanx. I'm curious to know, though, if there's an easy place around here locally. I may just have to call around.

[Serenyd]

http://www.inhishands.com/html/statsite.html

a bit expensive, but you may be able to find a used on ebay, craigslist, ect.

We have a lab here locally, I've used to get bloodwork done for various reasons, and they don't require a doctor's order. Call around.

[Sailor]

The online places have labs everywhere. I'm sure you could find a local one, if you go that route. In fact, you can put in your zip code on their websites and they'll give you a list of their local labs.

Dp and I use them frequently as he's obsessed with his oxygen levels and red blood cells (he's a cyclist). Meanwhile, I want to make sure that I'm eating well and everything is OK across the board nutritionally speaking. Dp gets them done every 6 months, I do it once a year.

[Kidzaplenty]

Could you go to the health department or the WIC office? I think they can do them there.

[onelilguysmommy]

WIC is an easy one (as in it isn't you request and hope it won't cost a lot, they demand to and it is free) but if you don't qualify then the health dept.

[AbigailGrace]

Originally Posted by onelilguysmommy

WIC is an easy one (as in it isn't you request and hope it won't cost a lot, they demand to and it is free) but if you don't qualify then the health dept.

I did go to WIC for the first time a couple of months ago and all they said was my iron was a little low, but that was normal in the first trimester. Do you know how often they'll test it? CAn I request that they test it?