More patients are ordering lab tests online, frustrating some doctors
statnews.com••business
Key Points:
- Darren Sidaway, concerned about his health risks, bypassed traditional medical channels and ordered extensive lab tests directly from Goodlabs, a company offering consumer-initiated testing without a doctor's order.
- His self-ordered tests revealed elevated biomarkers linked to insulin resistance and inflammation, prompting him to take proactive steps to manage his health despite skepticism from some medical professionals.
- Sidaway's experience highlights a growing trend of Americans purchasing their own lab and genetic screenings online, often paying out-of-pocket and circumventing insurance and standard medical protocols.
- These consumer-driven tests provide immediate health insights but sometimes conflict with established medical guidelines, leading to mixed reactions from healthcare providers.
- The trend reflects a patient desire for more control and quicker answers in health
