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Oops!  I sent the previous post without a subject.  Here's my second try.
Sorry!

  _____

From: richabec [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, January 03, 2006 12:21 AM
To: [log in to unmask] Stjohns. Edu ([log in to unmask])
Subject:

Normally, when we have our antibodies checked I have the test drawn at a
Quest Lab and then mailed to Prometheus.  I have been convinced by the
celiac community that Prometheus is the way to go.

This week when I took my son for his yearly check, Quest refused to mail it
off.  They said they have a new machine that does the Celiac tests and they
will no longer mail them out.  I left and went to a different lab that will
still mail it out after drawing blood for the test.

My question is:  Does anyone have any information about whether or not this
new machine means that Quest is becoming more reliable in doing the celiac
panel?

 My doctor really doesn't have info that I trust on this issue.  He agrees
to the Prometheus lab just to pacify me.  He seems to think that Quest is
cheaper, but they actually aren't cheaper for me.  Even though insurance
pays less since they are out of network my net cost is less.  However, I was
a bit alarmed that it was harder to find a cooperative lab this time.  As
more docs request this test I assume more labs will run it and I just don't
know whether to trust them or not.

Any opinions out there?

Becky

* Visit the Celiac Web Page at www.enabling.org/ia/celiac/index.html *