Tomminator just turned 13 and we got to the doc this week for his checkup. We saw a different doctor than norm…she ordered a lipid screen. Is this normal? He’s 13! Or is this some thing they have just come up with to establish a baseline?

He has no problems and is in the 75% for his height, weight…but he is a little snarky…I think he gets that from his mom.

Mike, I haven't done pedi for a very long time, but the current recommendations can be found here, Screening Tests for Infants, Children, and Adolescents

No family history or risk factors: Lipid screening twice, 1st time between 9 and 11 y/o, 2nd time between 17 and 21 y/o.

With family history or risk factors: Also screen twice, but at earlier ages, 1st time between 1 and 8 y/o, 2nd time between 12 and 16 y/o.

Thanks Q. Just what I needed. Baseline vs testing for $.

I’m sure that there probably is such a thing as testing for dollars, but I’d bet dimes to donuts that testing for CYA is a much bigger factor. There is a standard of care. If a doctor tests less than that standard and something bad comes up that might have been caught earlier by the test, that doctor may well be looking at a malpractice claim.

For far too many, bad stuff doesn’t just occasionally happen. If something goes wrong for them, someone has got to pay.

There’s even a term, “defensive medicine.” I’m guessing that means defending the doctor not the patient. I can’t say I blame doctors for being worried about being sued.

^^^the VA most certainly is in business to make money for itself. Which is why I asked. Year and a half ago they said I HAD TO get a physical (and associated tests) before they would see me for my hearing. A year later I get a bill for the physical and separate bills for the labs and building fees etc.

Figured out that they don’t need any of that stuff for me to go to a walk in clinic (hearing) .

Now I’m already a cynical bastard after being a cop , but I didn’t expect my VA visit to fuck my personal insurance over like they did.

So now I ask all kind of questions. Especially when it’s something out in left field like a lipid test for a 13 yo.