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Which Labs tell you subspecies and load for MAC
Hi,
I read on this forum that after an initial analysis that labs can send sample to Jewish Health in Colorado.
Does anyone know if Cedars Sinai test for subspecies and load?
There is someone on here who goes to Cedar Sinai in Los Angeles, but I cannot figure out your handle.
I am going to go to see Dr. Robert Wolf, pulmonologist at Cedars LA in late November, but want to know in the mean time if they Cedars LA can tell me those answers.
Thank you very much,
Cynthia 69
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Hey Cynthia!
I would like to know that as well! I travel 3 hours to specialist so my doc sends sputum orders to local LabCorp for me. On most recent testing they found that my MAC was negative but the culture showed positive for NEW mycobacterium abscessus. I asked doc about subspecies and colony counts and he said he doubted LabCorp did that because his own facility didn’t even do that. I just submitted another sample and would VERY much appreciate if anyone could tell me how to navigate getting that tested further. It is TORTURE for me to get up a sample ( very hard and few). Thanks for the question!!
Dee
Hi Dee - Sometimes the easiest route is a direct one.
You can contact LabCorp direct through their Websit and pose your question. Here is a link:
https://www.labcorp.com/help/contact-info-for-patient/patient-inquiry
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1 ReactionThank you Sue!!
Dee
Question: Are there specific treatments that should or can be done during a MAC "flare up"? Should one go to see their physician when they have a "flare up" or do you just have to deal with it until you get over it because there is no additional treatment other than your usual airway clearance ( aerobika, albuterol & saline nebs, cough, etc)?
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1 ReactionI'm going to throw that out to the group - everyone is different.
Click here to go to the new discussion
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/how-do-you-handle-a-flare-up-or-exacerbation/
Sue
Hi Dee,
I wrote to LabCorp and they did not answer me. I went to a LabCorp facility very close to me and the lady there said to call to call client services. I called client services and the person looked at the test they provide and he said they only go as low as species, not subspecies.
I am still trying to find a lab besides Jewish Health who test for subspecies and load.
Best,
Cynthia69
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2 ReactionsHi Dee,
I just spoke to someone in Cedar Sinai Med Ctr Dept of Path Lab Med and asked her about subspecies for MAC. She told me that she has processed many request for Dr. Wolf, the pulmonologist I am going to see at Cedar Sinai Los Angeles and he has never requested a subspecies and she did not understand my question about load.
I don't think they do it. Maybe no one does it but Jewish Health and someone on this thread said they charge $400 for it.
Best,
Cynthia
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1 ReactionDoes NJH does independent testing or do you have to be their patient in order to get the testing done? I too, interested in finding subspecies and load? My portal never shows it.
Hi @cynthia69. I saw my pulmonary folks on Tuesday. I asked about sputum testing. Below is my question and the response by the nurse practitioner.
Do they check sputum for subspecies and colony counts? CRNP said they check for chronic bronchial, MAC and fungus. They usually get if it's low, moderate or high. It doesn't change specific treatment as long as patient is feeling well, imaging is stable... If anything changes, i.e. difficulty breathing, more fatigue... Typically they like to do a CT yearly just to see if there are any significant changes.
Hope that is helpful. Faye
Can you elaborate on what you mean by “flare ups”