? 4/22 Ember AMPS 365 Fructosamine needed?

We had a very frustrating experience at the vet yesterday. Besides our failed Libre installation, I asked again about getting acromegaly and IAA testing done. (I’d requested pricing for the tests a couple weeks ago.) He said the acro test was $379 and he hadn’t been able find any info on an IAA test. I checked the acro/IAA sticky and it had the test number on there so I gave it to him, so hopefully we can finally get started on that. I’m so frustrated he didn’t let me know sooner. He also said we needed to do a fructosamine test since we hadn’t done one since her diagnosis. I declined since I feel I have enough data on my spreadsheet to show how her glucose is averaging. He pushed back a bit but I held my ground. There isn’t actually a reason it’s needed, is there? It doesn’t show anything other than average glucose over time, right? (I feel like I can’t be too pushy since it’s our rescue’s vet and I can’t jeopardize our ability to use him. But I need to make the right decisions for my Ember girl!) Between her high numbers, the failed Libre, and this, I’m feeling very dejected at the moment.
Safe surfing, all.
4/21 Ember AMPS 404

With all the testing you have done it’s not needed. Sorry your vet is being difficult.

I'm so sorry, Elaine! It's so difficult when our vets don't seem to be working with us. You're doing such a great job caring for precious Ember--she is incredibly fortunate to have you, and there is literally no telling where she would be right now if she didn't have you advocating and caring for her.

I agree, I can’t understand why he feels you need a fructosamine test now….
You test Ember and know where she is with her BG.

Seems that test is silly now and an expense not needed. I understand when they are diagnosing a cat because at that point we weren’t testing. But now you are testing so you do know what’s going on with her glucose.

I’m sorry the vet is being difficult also. I know it’s a fine line you were walking and want to keep a good relationship. Maybe you could explain it’s an expense that you don’t really want to incur right now since you are testing all the time and really have a handle on her numbers.

Yikes, that's quite the markup for the acro test. MSU charges $73 for the IGF-1 test and $25 for the IAA test. Add on the cost of a blood draw and shipping, and that amount quoted seems high. Unless the vet is sending over to Idexx to send to MSU, in which case you get a double markup. Not all vets have an account at MSU.

Save your money on the fructosamine test. You can always say "maybe later" when finances allow.

Wendy&Neko said:

Yikes, that's quite the markup for the acro test. MSU charges $73 for the IGF-1 test and $25 for the IAA test. Add on the cost of a blood draw and shipping, and that amount quoted seems high. Unless the vet is sending over to Idexx to send to MSU, in which case you get a double markup. Not all vets have an account at MSU.

Save your money on the fructosamine test. You can always say "maybe later" when finances allow.

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That's very helpful know that the prices seem high. Our vet usually gives us a rescue discount which is why we use him, so that's even more ridiculous that it's so high. I'm going to check the pricing at the vets where I take my personal cats and see if those numbers are any more reasonable.