Blood work timing: before vs. during oral contraceptive use

Hi everyone!

I just had my gynecological appointment at a private clinic, and they told me I need to get some full blood work done before I start taking the unknown birth control pill.

It’s all noted down in my medical records.

Does anyone know if I can get my blood drawn at any local community health center? If so, does anyone know what the typical costs are? I know I can always go to private clinics, but I wanted to check my options.

Thanks in advance!🙂

If you bring a referral to the community health center, there shouldn't be any cost beyond a possible copay. It’s best to just call ahead and ask. That’s what I always do—I hate wasting my time walking there for nothing.

As far as I know, private gynecologists aren't able to issue referrals. I'll look into this and find out for sure, thanks!

Exactly, it’s not possible. You don't have a primary care doctor to just write you a referral, right?
I'm not sure what the costs are, but you should give them a call.

Unfortunately, I don't have one. That’s actually why I was asking—to see if I could just go to a community health center to get my blood drawn instead.

If they offer those tests at the community health center, I don't see any issue with it. Just pay the fee and get them done.
I'd suggest checking with some private labs too. If the price difference isn't massive, going private is much easier—you don't have to wake up at dawn or wait around forever. I believe they can even fax you the results if you can't pick them up in person.

ironscout15 said:Look, if that community health center offers those tests, I don't see the issue—just pay the fee and get them done.
Honestly, check out some private labs too. If the price difference isn't massive, going private is way better since you don't have to roll out of bed at dawn or wait an eternity in a waiting room. I bet they can even fax you the results if you can't make it in person.

If she goes the private route, the results will be ready in a heartbeat—no crowds, no need for a referral from a doctor—but she’ll be paying through the nose for it, given these are full-blown panels before starting birth control. Stick to the community health center.

I gave the community health center a call, and they told me the exam would cost at most $50, whether I go today or tomorrow. Meanwhile, when I checked with some private labs, they were quoting me closer to $150.

Maria Ward said:So I gave the community health center a ring, and they told me the exam would cost at most $50, and I could grab the results today or tomorrow. But then I checked with some private labs, and they’re saying it’ll be closer to $150.

Actually, I think you've got the wrong idea. I always go to Labor in Washington, D.C. for my bloodwork, and their fee is $73. You can get everything done the very same day if you go after 1 PM, and they can just shoot the results over to your email or fax them... Just make sure you head in before noon to get your blood drawn—the main thing is you have to be fasting.

Thanks for the heads-up! I actually checked in with Breyer and my unknown contact.

Maria Ward said:Thanks for the heads-up! I actually checked in with Breyer and that unknown place.

Oh, I totally forgot to ask—are you just looking for a standard CBC? Because, you know, $73 but testing hormones is a whole different ballgame; it's basically $40 per hormone. That unknown place is great, honestly, but Labor is really the specialist when it comes to bloodwork. Even my vet sends dog blood samples there for analysis!

Just a heads-up, going to the unknown community health center is $27 if you don't have a referral.

I'm looking to get a liver panel, transaminase levels, a lipid profile, and a coagulation test.

Hey everyone!

I’m honestly pretty confused about paying for certain tests right now, so I have a few questions.

1. I got a referral for a coagulation profile at the American Red Cross blood center. Do I need to pay anything there? (I don't have supplemental insurance, so if I do have to pay, does anyone know roughly how much?)
2. I also have to go get blood and urine samples taken at a local community health center based on an internal referral. Will I be charged for that too?

I'm completely lost after reading these posts: 😁 😁 😁

If you were given a referral that specifies a particular clinic, just go there and you won't have to pay a dime. Your gynecologist handles all the referrals and prescriptions for what you need—and things like breast exams or mammograms are covered, so there's no cost to you. Good luck!

Ugh, I’ve got a question too, and I’m seriously hoping some New York City locals can help me out! Since I’m working in NYC from 8 AM to 4 PM and staying in an apartment here, I can't just go get bloodwork done back home—I need somewhere local where I can just walk in without a referral. All I need is a quick check on my liver and cholesterol levels.

Where is the cheapest and most convenient spot (ideally near Fifth Avenue or the Potomac area) to get this done so I can actually make it to work by 8 AM?😢 Maybe the Črnomerec Community Health Center or some private clinic around there?

Laura Ramirez10 said:I've got a question too—any help from women living in New York City would be appreciated! Since I work in NYC from 8:00 to 4:00 and my apartment is also in the city, I can't get bloodwork done where I actually live. I need to find somewhere I can go without a referral; I just need to check my liver and cholesterol levels.

Where's the cheapest and closest spot (near Fifth Avenue or Potomac) to get this done so I can make it to work by 8:00?😢 Maybe the Črnomerec Community Health Center or some private clinic nearby?

You can do it here.

hollowseal8 said:hey there!

I’m a little lost right now regarding paying for certain tests, so I have a few questions.

1. I got a referral for a coagulation profile at the American Red Cross, do I have to pay anything there? (I don't have supplemental insurance, so if I do, does anyone know roughly how much it costs?)
2. I also need to go get blood and urine samples done at a local community health center—I was given an internal referral—do I need to pay for that too?

I'm honestly pretty confused after reading through these posts😁 😁 😁

If I recall correctly from when I used to work there, you do have to pay, though I can't for the life of me remember the exact amount; as for the internal referral, there’s no charge for that!

Does anyone know what time they stop taking blood at the Siget Community Health Center?

Chris Howard2 said:Does anyone happen to know what time they stop drawing blood at the Siget Community Health Center?

I called them just the other day and I think they do it between 7:00 and 9:00 AM. It’s probably best to give them a quick ring to confirm, though, since I can't be absolutely certain.😉

Just finished my OBGYN appointment at a private clinic and they told me I need a full blood panel—so I was thinking about hitting up a private lab, maybe somewhere like Labor or an unknown provider.
I need a CBC, CMP, liver panel, lipid profile, coagulation panel, and beta-HCG.
Anyone know what the damage is gonna be... like, what’s the total cost looking like for all that?