1. < MAC & Bronchiectasis

Can I send sputum to NJH if not their patient?

Posted by fdixon63 @fdixon63, Feb 3 12:59pm

I just watched a video about the importance of knowing what species shows up in your sputum to more accurately prescribe treatment. I have MAC and more recently abscessus. I'm on my 3rd pulmonary doctor--the second and current one actually specializing in bronc and MAC. I've asked if their lab lists species and I was told, "No, our lab does not test for species." Can an individual send a specimen to NJH (or any other lab) to run these tests?
This is frustrating. Any insight or guidance? I'm not on treatment presently. Thanks.

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Mentor
Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Feb 3 1:34pm

@fdixon63
Mayo's lab does do testing for other clinics. Not sure about individuals. I would check with your provider and ask if he is willing to send specimens to Mayo Laboratories. I am sure there is some logistics for shipping and billing.

General info: https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/

REPLY
1 reply
lilianna | @lilianna | Feb 4 8:14am

My first sputum test was sent by my pulmonologist to NJH in Denver. I don’t have this on me, but if you go online and search NJH Denver mycobacterium lab you can find a phone number. Some time ago I was able to call, leave a message and they called me back- and ask. May be you could do it with a doctors order.

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mariegrace | @mariegrace | Feb 4 8:35am

My pulmonologist sent my specimen to Jewish to run sensitivities to MAC. It took weeks to get results.

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bayarea58 | @bayarea58 | Feb 4 10:06am

I am with an hmo in California and I was told by one of my doctors that for susceptibility testing they send to NJH. But the MAC sputum testing itself was not (though the hmo lab did test to species level). As another poster has mentioned their sample was also sent to NJH for susceptibility, I am assuming that the susceptibility testing may be something specific that is done by limited labs. But I agree with another poster, I would call the NJH lab and ask. I would be interested in their answer as well.

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fdixon63 | @fdixon63 | Feb 4 2:00pm
In reply to @roch "@fdixon63 Mayo's lab does do testing for other clinics. Not sure about individuals. I would check..." + (show)
@roch

@fdixon63
Mayo's lab does do testing for other clinics. Not sure about individuals. I would check with your provider and ask if he is willing to send specimens to Mayo Laboratories. I am sure there is some logistics for shipping and billing.

General info: https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/

Jump to this post

Hi Laurie. Thanks for your post. I searched the Mayo lab "catalog" of tests but could not find NTM. The had mycobacterium tuberculosis but not nontuberculosis M. If anyone else can confirm that Mayo will test for it, let me know. As I said in my original post, I've discussed sending sputum to NJH with my pulm doc but he did not seem to want to go that route. I'll press him on next visit. Thanks.

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kdiago1564 | @kdiago1564 | Feb 5 8:09am

@fdixon63 You can definitely have your sputum samples sent to NJH for species ID and I would just advocate for yourself since it's important to know what is happening in your lungs/sputum.

Go to njlabs.org or call them to understand the process for sending samples and which tests you would want to have done. Their number is 800.550.6227. If doing it on your own, I know there is a form you have to fill out but they can walk you through that.

I know at NYU they send all of my sputum samples to NJH for testing so it's not unreasonable to expect something like that so definitely push for either sending your samples to Mayo or NJH.

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1 reply
fdixon63 | @fdixon63 | Feb 5 9:57am
In reply to @kdiago1564 "@fdixon63 You can definitely have your sputum samples sent to NJH for species ID and I..." + (show)
@kdiago1564

@fdixon63 You can definitely have your sputum samples sent to NJH for species ID and I would just advocate for yourself since it's important to know what is happening in your lungs/sputum.

Go to njlabs.org or call them to understand the process for sending samples and which tests you would want to have done. Their number is 800.550.6227. If doing it on your own, I know there is a form you have to fill out but they can walk you through that.

I know at NYU they send all of my sputum samples to NJH for testing so it's not unreasonable to expect something like that so definitely push for either sending your samples to Mayo or NJH.

Jump to this post

Thanks kdiago1564. I'll pursue contacting NJ lab.

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