Pratoman,
What a crummy ordeal. In a moment, let me tell you what happened to me early in my PCa journey. You'll laugh (or cry).
But for now, if you want to get the uPSA from LabCorp, here is a little info on it. This (I think) is the test you will be getting get:
/www.labcorp.com/test-menu/33776/prostate-specific-antigen-psa-ultrasensitiveI have had uPSA blood draws at four different LabCorp offices in three different cities across the country. They have always been professional. I do not think an appt. is required, but you can make one if desired (check LabCorp website for
locations, hrs. etc. near you). I have never had to wait > 30 minutes for the lab tech to get me into the draw room. I have *never* *not received* results next day. However, let's be very clear on this. I get my uPSA by going through an online service that has an arrangement with LabCorp, and I pay OOP to the online service. LabCorp posts results to the online service's site that then allows me to use my personal identifying info to access my results next day under my account. In your case, you are getting a script
from your doc (may be insurance covered), and the LabCorp site says for this case:
"Your test results will be posted to your LabCorp Patient™ portal account two to seven days after the information is reported to your doctor. Depending on the complexity of the tests, results may be sent to your doctor the day after your specimen is submitted for testing, or it could take several days to complete the tests and send the results to your doctor. You should contact your doctor's office if you have any question about
the availability of test results, or you can continue to check your LabCorp Patient™ portal account, as results are posted based on a fixed schedule as indicated above.'
So here they are apparently putting another "gate" in the way of you getting *your* info. Anyway, just don't want you to feel blindsided if this occurs. It may go faster than it sounds on paper. Don't know.
Also, note on my last two draws, the LabCorp office person asked me if I wanted either of these: (a) mail results to my address and/or (b) fax results to me or my doctor (do not remember which--I do not have a fax machine anyway). I have waived these because, again, I just log into my online provider account and get my results there next day.
If you are concerned about
turnaround, as I would be, might be worth a few phone calls ahead or visit to local LabCorp and/or provider to plan it out so you can just refuse to try that way or at least be aware of turnaround going that route.
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My ordeal:
In early 2012, at yearly check-up, my personal doc got DRE+ and saw a 1.0 rise in PSA since prior year's. He said he was a little concerned and wanted a recheck in six months. I was a *lot* concerned, and followed up with another doc in the city where I was working at an Air Force base. He agreed to order an MRI. I got it in city where I worked. Waited a few days for 2nd doc's call with results. Never came, so I called his office. When he got on the line, sounded like he kinda forgot my case altogether. He said, "let me go get the report". I am sitting in my car in a parking lot next to one of the runways (out of office for privacy). He comes back and says, "looks like you've got a tumor about
size of a plum". My life flashed before my eyes. A longggg 10-15 secs or so passed. Then, the doc comes back on line and says, "No, wait, I read it wrong, that's not the tumor size, that's the prostate size--there is just a small area of indication for a follow up biopsy". Relieved, but also angry that the call went this way. Took me rest of workday to calm down. Few times in my life I have been that frightened.