MSU VDL testing instructions for IGF-1 and IAA

I'm in the process of getting Pumpkin tested for IGF-1 and IAA, since we're currently at 9.5U and will likely need to go even higher. Getting those tests done has been somewhat of a process. In case it helps anyone else out, here's how it's working for me so far:

There are two options for these tests: Idexx and the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Library (MSU VDL). Idexx is a large provider of veterinary diagnostics and handles routine blood testing for a lot of veterinary clinics.

A lot of vets will prefer going through Idexx because Idexx is already integrated with their billing and electronic records systems. I didn't see the price for the IAA test, but the price my vet quoted for the IGF-1 test was over $500. Other people on the board believe that Idexx just reships the samples to MSU VDL. I was too busy at the time to try to figure out the MSU thing on my own, so I went ahead and did the test via Idexx. Idexx lost the sample .

So, for round two I rolled up my sleeves and figured out the MSU VDL approach. They charge $68 for the IGF-1 test and $21 for the IAA test. You have to factor in the cost of the blood draw, and another 50-100 for overnight shipping and packing materials.

Ideally, your vet can set up an account with MSU VDL. If so, then they should be able to handle most of the logistics I cover below. Don't expect to pay $89 for the tests even if your vet deals directly with MSU instead of going through Idexx. Your vet will likely charge to draw the blood, to ship the samples, and some sort of markup to cover their administrative costs.

If your vet doesn't want to set up an account with MSU VDL, then hopefully they will be willing to give you a sample to ship in yourself. That's what the rest of this post covers.

If you go on the MSU VDL site, they'll tell you to open an account. Don't bother trying, that's just for veterinary clinics. You have to go with the self pay option.

The site also tells you the best way to package your sample for shipping is to order packing material from them. Again, don't bother, they only sell packing materials to clinics that have an account with them.

If you call them up, they will strongly discourage you from going the self-pay route. I turned on the waterworks a little and they softened up and walked me through the process.

So, here are the actual steps:

1. Go to the MSU VDL catalog site (currently https://vdl.msu.edu/Bin/Catalog/Catalog.exe) and search for Insulin. That'll return a few options, including Insulin Like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) and Insulin Autoantibodies. These are the two tests you want.
2. For each of those tests, click the Printable Format link and print out the instructions. You'll want to give these to your vet to make sure they're able to handle the instructions. Your vet needs to be able to centrifuge the blood samples to remove the blood cells, just leaving the serum. I don't know if every vet can do this, but it wasn't a problem for mine.
3. Meanwhile, you need packing materials, including an ice pack, a sealable plastic bag, a thermal pouch, and some absorbent materials. I ordered them from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DLX7FGS and https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009W7YA30
4. Go to the MSU VDL site find the endocrinology submittal form (right now it's at https://cvm.msu.edu/assets/documents/VDL/Submittal-Endocrinology-Fillable.pdf). Hopefully your vet can help you fill out the form, but it's mostly self-explanatory. The tests you want are in the right column on the bottom, under Pituitary (IGF-1) and Pancreatic (Insulin Autoantibodies). For clinic name, put down Self Pay.
5. Have the vet do the blood draw and centrifuge the serum out of the blood samples. The best day to do this is either on a Sunday or on a Monday morning so that you can get the sample to MSU for a Tuesday. They only run the IGF-1 tests on Wednesdays.
6. Once you have the samples in vials, wrap them in paper towels, and then put them into a sealable (for example, ziploc) bag. The absorbent material is required in case the vials break in transit. You can read all the requirements for shipping at https://cvm.msu.edu/vdl/submit-a-sample/shipping-requirements-for-submitting-specimens. I summarize them in the next few steps.
7. Tape the bag to a frozen ice pack. Put it all in the freezer until you're ready to ship if you aren't doing it right away.
8. UPS doesn't pick up air shipments on Sundays, and MSU isn't available to receive samples on Saturdays or Sundays, so you should ship on Monday-Thursday only. When you're ready to ship, put the frozen samples into a thermal pouch and then pack it carefully in a box. Write "Exempt Animal Specimens" on the side of the box (this says that the box contains blood samples that are unlikely to contain pathogens).
9. Also include the submittal form from step 4, and a check made out to "MSU VDL" (I confirmed this with them on the phone).
10. Take the sample to your local UPS or fedex store and ship it overnight/next day. UPS Next Day Air (arrives by the end of the day) is fine per the person I talked to at MSU. You don't need to get it there in the morning. If it's the middle of the summer, you might prefer doing that so it isn't sitting in a hot truck all day.
11. By default, MSU will send the results by USPS. They will email the results on request though. The results appear to be ready by the end of the day on the Monday after the test completes, so calling the Tuesday should work.

Here's how the timeline looks:

• Whenever possible, Sunday or Monday morning is ideal: Blood draw at vet, take sample home and put in freezer
• Monday, pack sample on ice and take to UPS before UPS Air pickup time, ship using Next Day Air saver
• Tuesday, sample arrives at MSU
• Wednesday, MSU starts test
• Friday, test completes
• Monday afternoon, MSU endocrinologist completes test report
• Tuesday, if result not received by email call to request email report

 

Shipping pro tip. UPS offers an affordable flat rate shipping service, but they don't make it easy to find. If you go to a UPS store, they'll quote you over $100 (it was $160 from California) for Next Day Air shipping. If you go to ups.com and try to make a shipment, you'll get a similar price.

But, if you google "UPS flat rate" you should end up at https://www.ups.com/us/en/support/shipping-support/shipping-costs-rates/flat-rate-shipping.page. Click the "Ship now" link under "Log In To Ship" and it should take you to https://www.ups.com/ship?src=uis&rateType=sr&loc=en_US. You should see a little checkmark that says "UPS simple rate" on the page. Go through the steps, and then select UPS Next Day Air Saver. It should be around $60 depending on your box size.

You can either print out a shipping label, or get a barcode you can show them at the UPS store to print out a label.

The nice thing about UPS flat rate is that you can use your own box. USPS and FedEx also offer flat rate but you have to use their box. The UPS rate is also much cheaper than the FedEx rate, if you know how to find the UPS rate.

 

For self-pay tests, MSU defaults to sending the results by snail mail (US Postal Service). It's possible writing something on the form that you want them to email the results will help, but I'm not sure.

I ended up calling the Tuesday after the test was started and they emailed me the results. The email showed that the results were generated at the end of the day on Monday. So, Tuesday is probably a good time to check in for results if they haven't gotten in touch with you yet.

 

Just a suggestion - rather than trying to assemble your box, my vet ordered a pre-paid mailer from MSU. It had everything in it except ice packs, so it was a quick drop off (back in 2012 at Fed Ex).

I just reviewed the MSU site info, and they now recommend UPS. Your vet can order the prepaid mailer.

Current prices as of 2/27/2024:
IGF-1 #20005 $72
IAA #20031 $22
Mailer #99220 $30

 

Ohhh I think I love you @Jacques and Pumpkin for posting this, @Grayson & Lu for adding to it , and @Wendy&Neko for pointing me to this post. I am seriously crying right now. THANK YOU