So you don't need a doctor to order the test? You just need a doctor to direct you to a lab to draw the blood?
Hi Cort,
I called the VIP a couple of mornings ago and left a message on their answering machine, but I figured they were getting hundreds of calls and I didn't really expect them to call me back. A polite young woman called that afternoon.
When you call, if you request it, they put you on the waiting list for a test kit. They will send you one in four to five weeks. You don't need a doctor's Rx for the test kit; you don't need to pay for it ahead of time. You will pay when you return the test kit to them.
I think she said it's $600 for both tests. She said one test is a PCR for the active virus; the other is a virus culture for latent virus. But I'm not sure I got this straight! Maybe you can do better when you call. Please do better when you call! (And pass along the correct information.) She said both tests are the same as the ones they use at the WPI. I think she said the virus culture is for antibodies. (?)
The test kit will have two green-top tubes, one lavender tube and a serum separator tube. (Again, she spoke fast, and there might be more tubes than that. I'd love to know.)
The test kit will have a requisition form in it. When you get it, maybe you can avoid a trip to the doctor by mailing the form to your doctor for a signature, code, etc., (along with a stamped return addressed envelope). Your doctor will need to mail the form back to you along with a written order for a venipuncture. (Or, of course, you can go to the doctor and get everything done at once.)
Then when you are ready you can go to a lab of your choice. The blood, in at least one of the tubes, has to be centrifuged.
A prepaid FedEx Priority Overnight envelope will be included in the test kit. The $600 you send them (if you do two tests) covers the cost of the postage.
They will probably tell you to call a number and have your kit picked up, but the way I would do it is pack everything up--the blood, requisition, etc.--and head for the nearest authorized FedEx station. You can find authorized centers online. Don't drop your package into a FedEx box. You must give it to some authorized person behind a counter.
I would time the blood draw so that you can get the envelope to FedEx before their last send-off of the day. That way it will be en route in as short a time as possible and get to Reno as quickly as possible.
The results will be mailed two or three weeks later to your doctor, not to you.
The number I called was 775.351.1890.
There is a requisition form for other tests on their website. I imagine the XMRV form will be similar. Just a guess.