Lots of questions.  I’ll try to answer them all at once.

 

If you are interested in filter paper testing for 17-OHP, there are several steps you’ll need to complete.

 

First, contact your endo for orders.  You need to decide what times of day to do the finger sticks.  Immediately upon awakening is an obvious one, but the rest will depend on your meds schedule and observations of how you feel during the day.  You’ll also need to check that your endo is on board with the whole idea of filter paper testing.  Ours was excited and open, but others may not be.

 

Now call Pediatrix.  Dr. Bob Grier (866) 463-6436 ext 163 was wonderful to work with.  He’ll send out the testing supplies you’ll need, along with a UPS next-day envelope to return the papers.

 

The process is simple.  Once you’ve decided on times, you simply prick the finger (a Tenderfoot lancet worked well for us) and let a drop of blood saturate a circle on the filter paper.  The instructions on the form are clear.  Be sure to note the time on the paper, especially if you are doing multiple samples.  The paper must dry for 3-4 hours in a dark, dry place (closet), and then the paper is put into a cellophane envelope (provided).  For each time of the day you want a 17-OHP value, repeat on a new filter paper.  We checked three times throughout the day, but your endo may want more or less.

 

After the last paper is dry, take the whole package to UPS and send it off.  Results are reported in ng/ml, and should be available about 24 hours after the package is received.

 

I experimented on my own fingers before I went after my daughter’s.  I tried it both with and without Ela-max, and for me it didn’t matter a bit.  Within minutes, I couldn’t feel the spot I’d cut.  I think the key is a really sharp disposable lancet.  Compared to a visit to the lab for a blood draw, it was a picnic.

 

Insurance – aaack!  We have a Preferred Provider insurance plan, so they won’t pay unless our “preferred” hospital orders the test.  We’ve done a lot of business at that hospital, so they were happy to help.  They outsourced the test to Pediatrix, just as they do with our urine testing to Mayo.  The hospital never actually touched the child or the blood, but they did provide the disposable lancet.  An alternative would be to pay for the test and submit the receipt to your insurance company.  If your other labs are covered, there’s no reason this wouldn’t be.  When we had 17-OHP done with venous blood, it ran about $120 per test.  Filter paper testing is about half that per test, with the total dependant on how many samples you want to run.

 

The process at Pediatrix is in place, so theoretically you can start immediately.  For us, the delays came with interacting with our endo and getting the insurance figured out.

 

Sandra - I also tried to work with our state lab.  Newborn testing is their mandate, and they don’t have the resources to handle individual case management testing.  I gave up.  Working with Pediatrix has the advantage of providing availability all over the US, instead of just in individual states. 

 

Any more questions?

 

LauraK