What do you pay for an ACTH stimulation test? U.S. Dollars

[Roxee's Dad]

This is a poll to help new members get an idea of what the cost are involved with the diagnosis and on going monitoring of K9cushings via the ACTH Stimulation test.

Information on this test can be found in our Resources Forum:
http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=217

Choice 1 – Choose the price range you have paid
Choice 2 – Choose whether the test was performed by a IMS (Internal Medicine Specialist) or a GP (General Practitioner Vet)


Please also feel free to post any comments. :)

[Harley PoMMom]

I just wanted to add that Harley's stim agent was the gel and the cost was $125.50 by his GP, she also let me take him home after the first draw and bring him back for the second draw, I wanted to let the new members know that this is an option but you must ask your GP/IMS to do this (take your pup home and then bring them back.)

Harley's GP now uses Cortrosyn as their stim agent and the cost was $158.35.

Love and hugs.
Lori

[littleone1]

Corky didn't have the ACTH Stim test this month. He had the LDDS test done in the beginning of this month by his IMS. The cost for that was $203.25. This was done with Cortrosyn.

Terri.

[sunimist]

I would also like to add that our vet charged $72.00 (several years ago) when using the Acthar Gel. That eventually increased to $95.00.
She also used Cortrosyn for testing, and I think she quit using the Acthar Gel altogether at some point. Those stims (Cortrosyn) were anywhere from $110.00 to $150.00.

[recruiter]

$110 in Kansas.

[marie adams]

$158 GP Vet Southern Cal - Orange County

[KjobakerOhio]

$212.00 Columbus, Ohio.
$95.00 is for sitting in their waiting room for 2 hours and 5 minutes with the IMS.

[HarrysMom]

The test was $140, but the price of Cortrosyn was $230. It seems really high.

[frijole]

$125 - done at 4 different vets in Columbus and Lincoln NE. All were the exact same price.

[Rebelsmom]

$275 for Rebel's stim, which seems really high to me.

[Roxy]

$115 at my general vet's. I took Roxy home between draws because she gets really stressed if I have to leave her there.

[foxandhound]

$300 for a basic ACTH and also $300 for an ACTH U of Tenn Full Adrenal Panel. Clearly, some vet offices dont know how to charge for this or what the difference is. This value is for a one-time test, no examination, no IMS. The office staff/vet techs would administer and prepare samples, not the Vet. And, they didnt even know how to prepare the sample, when to take blood draws, and where to send it. It was just plain sad.

The vet office "accidently" submitted our test Antech and maybe thought I wouldnt catch on. A vet got on the phone and told me "your dog has Cushings"...you know, instead of "your dog tested positive for Cushings, but further testing should follow to confirm or rule out this diagnosis." I asked her about the intermediate sex hormones and she told me "they're good", then I asked for values and I was put on hold. A manager came on the phone and after I drilled him, he admitted they sent it to Antch and obviously, there were no reported intermediate values.

They also told me my dog's $150 UP:Cr ratio was missing, then they said they found it and it was normal. When the IMS called them for it, they had no record of it being taken. They tried to say that we didnt purchase it, but I have an invoice and receipt. Be careful with these expensive tests. Make sure you speak to the acual vet tech who will conduct the test, make sure they know how to do this and at what time intervals they should do so. Then, ask for actual print-outs from the labs that complete the testing. Phone in results and vet notes are not sufficient for these tests. Some places are not trustworthy at all.

[MBK]

Hi, Roxee's Dad. You need to add a higher amount category for me. Seems I am paying a record high amount in Pittsburgh, PA. :mad: I just paid $322 for the ACTH test and $88 dollars for .2 ml injection of Cortrosyn, for a grand total of $410 for one test! That is with no examination whatsoever. I never even saw Alivia's IMS. The tech took her back and brought her back out to me! I think I need to start asking around to see if everyone charges such a high amount around here.

[liz]

280.95 in Topeka, Kansas--Liz

[Jenny & Judi in MN]

mine was $99.32 for 2 ACTH tests
$73.14 for the office visit
$ 8.41 for the Cortrosyn Gel

Grand Total $180.87

Fargo, ND

GP

[addy]

We just paid $128 for Cortrosyn .25mg per vial

$73 for ACTH Stim test
$50 for IMS recheck
$43 for renal panel
$29.00 for blood collection

Grand total $323 OUCH:eek::eek::eek:

[Steinwaywolf88]

$250.00, and I we have done this 3 times this year.

[Buffy & Trixie's Mom]

$42.28 for the ACTH injection plus 127.85 for the ACTH Stim test.

Buffy

[newman]

Well... I just paid 273.20 for ACTH stimualation test #119 but total visit was $470.00

[ThreeJacksMom]

Paid $185 last week, just for the test.

[Bailey's Mom]

ACTH $125.37; exam $62; Cortrosyn injection-follow up (this was every time we had the ACTH)$114.50; IDEXXNSAID panel $64.38. That comes to $366. Test was run every 4 weeks for sure and not infrequently at two weeks as well.

[tobybarnum]

$209 at a GP. New York City- not surprising that it's cheaper esewhere, I guess!

[LacubriousDogs]

$315 in total, includes office visit plus test...St. Louis, MO.

[Cyn719]

$198.00 for ATCH and $35 for the 2 hr stay and disposal of needles

[tankers]

57.00 for the test
125.00 for the injection
25.00 for the re-exam

$207 every 2 weeks:eek:

[mypuppy]

and the point of this poll is.....

These doctors are making a killing off these tests.....:mad:

LOL:D

[lulusmom]

and the point of this poll is.....

These doctors are making a killing off these tests.....:mad:

LOL:D

It is much more likely that the manufacture of Cortrosyn, Amphastar, is the entity making a killing. I haven't quite figured out what makes this stimulating agent so dang expensive.

[Wendy Tillotson]

I am paying about $158 for the blood tests and $30 for the cortrosyn and $5 for bio-disposal.

No charge for the stay or anything for a check.

[Wendy Tillotson]

I live in Long Island. I originally was paying over $300.

[Bo's Mom]

Here in South Texas I just paid $250.

[cairncrazy24]

I just paid 441.00 for the UT test and ACTH stim test. :rolleyes:

[K123]

I pay $98.50 for ACTH test in the Detroit area, inclusive of everything.

[Sage]

$220 Sacramento area.

[mattwho]

$390 at an IMS in the Phoenix, AZ area. Checked with the GP and they charge the same, within $15 or so.

Technician (blood draws): $39
ACTH Stim: $157
Cotrosyn inj: $194

Seeing this thread, I feel like I'm getting overcharged.

[JoanneN]

We just had our first one today. It was 208.00
This is an Animal Clinic in Flanders, NJ.

Prior to this place, my vet wanted to charge 300.00 for the ACTH, and 500.00 for an ultrasound before even discussing meds.

[milosmom]

$188 here in ny milosmom
$475 abdominal ultrasound

[cheydogger]

I have a 53-55 lb dog. $164.00 Antech Cortisol Series, $123.70 Cosyntropin per ml. So, it looks like I pay $287.00. This is at The General Vet in Indianapolis.

[NoonelovesmelikeNorman]

Good info. But what other test did they need to do, other blood work - specifcally?, ultrasound? biopsy? and then what is the cost of meds (monthly). How often do you have to have the ACTH test done and other bloodwork?

Thanks! Still working on getting a grant or some way to help get teh diagnosis and treatment for Norman.

Sharon

[kaibosmom]

I pay $120 at the clinic I was at the other day and $175 at our other clinic. This is Canadian $ but we are pretty much on par these days for exchange.

[Lauren]

$195.00 for ACTH and $325.00 for abdominal ultrasound for my Cooper here in NY. Vetoryl $72.00 per month. We've only just begun the process being diagnosed 11/26/12

[infoviewer]

$352.00 for ACTH, THYROID, COMPLETE BLOOD IN TENNESSEE

[gabelle1995]

ACTH alone - equivalent of about 200 US Dollars
ACTH with full blood panel - equivalent of about 600 US Dollars

[smokechaser]

For my dog Precious it was it was $320 for the test so far.

[Chloe's Mom]

$280 for just ACTH in Charlotte, NC

[My sweet Ginger]

$295.00 by IMS.
$177.00 by GP vet.

[Dixie'sMom]

$106.65 - Regular GP. Winston Salem NC. I found out that this is for the gel and that the other medicine is quite a bit more expensive.

[siberianlady]

$131.00 + 1/2 day hospitalization--12.75

[Silliam]

Willy's test was actually cheaper then I thought. I got to a 24 vet hospital as my gp vet. Even tho I am Aussie I converted it to USD

Hospital&nursing daycare at vet $37.50
Synacthen Injection 0.25mg $39.25
Idexx Snap Cortisol $55.82
Idexx Snap Cortisol $55.82
---------------------------------------
Total $189.26

[phxbarb]

I just paid $200 at the vet, 4 days ago. The test came back negative.

[Renee]

I pay $265 for an ACTH, but if I buy the bottle of cortrosyn upfront, then the test is only $110. This is with a general vet. The bottle of cortrosyn (as of 1/2/2015) is $322.67. This gets 5 doses, using the dilution protocols from Dr Peterson.

If my vet had more than one cushings patient that was actively treating and needing testing, then the cost of the cortrosyn could be shared. At the moment Tobey is my vet's only cushings dog undergoing active treatment.

[jlitwak]

I also pay $25.00 for the ACTH test. My dog just had the test for the second time this past Friday afternoon. I am hoping to hear some good news on Monday.:)

[bugsmom]

I pay about 300.00 thru an internal medicine specialist vet, but my other vet was almost expensive and not that thorough. This is in Spokane WA.... who would have thought

[Sweet Peas Momma]

$275.00 is the cost at our vet

[ShibaMom]

Hello, this is my first post :) Will post an intro shortly.

I just paid about 340. (though take away a 10% discount for having so many pets they see - ha)

$181.56 for the IDEXX test (1 pre/1 post) and $150 for the Cortrosyn.

They were going to charge the regular $54 full visit fee, but I said he didn't do anything that day, and I had paid for an exam the week prior, so they just charged a $16 "boarding fee" for the time she stayed there instead.

i got a quote today for the upcoming needs (meds, tests, etc) and it says for the Trilostane, $80 for a month supply if liquid, and $90 if tablets.

Also other tests at her first post-treatment test:
IDEXX Urinalysis ..... $60.24
IDEXX Urine Cortisol:Creatinine Ratio test ..... $122.86

I'm in a Northwest suburb of Chicago.

This poll was a great idea!

Thanks,
Samantha

[KristinT]

I had Chloe's first ACTH stim test with her GP vet today and it was $275. I want to talk to the vet about Dr. Peterson's article on "How to Dilute and Store Cortrosyn..." so hopefully I can save some money in the future since I know ACTH stim tests will be needed every few months to regulate her medication.

Kristin

[Lifesvr7]

Haven't had it done yet, but the estimate was :

Hospital Care- Observe/ Day (just to have him sit there) - $45.00
LO Cortisol ACTH Stim - $152.00
Cortrosyn .25mg/1ml $202.12

Ridiculous Grand Total - $399.12. :eek:


Hopefully, they will cut me a break!

[CalliesMom]

Just to clarify. If a vet is doing the acth tests appropriately, it means 2 weeks, 30 days, 90 days, every 3 months, in addition to running it each time there's a dosage change? I feel like I will go broke. I've already spent so much just for the diagnosis.
I really feel like crying because i would definitely find a way to pay for all of this, if needed.. But it's going to be such a strain at $200+ per test. I'm so overwhelmed right now with Callie not taking to the Trilostane. And then with possibly needing to find a different vet for proper treatment.. I'm Just venting :(

[Renee]

Callie's mom - the cost can be reduced greatly if you 1. follow Dr Peterson's dilution method, and 2. buy the entire bottle of cortrosyn upfront, then you only pay for the lab work while you use up your bottle of cortrosyn. You should be able to get 4-5 doses out of a single bottle.

[Tassysmom]

Cost of stim test in Lacey, WA is $150. However, the drug used for testing is another $150 which makes the entire test $300 (so it's hard for me to take the survey due to the way the question was asked). The material used lasts for 6 months if frozen. During early-days of diagnosis when Tassy (my Border Terrier) was getting tested frequently, we got 4 tests out of a vial. Now that her cortisol is balanced, tests are done in about 4-6 month intervals and we can only get 2 out of a vial. The last test was 6 months after she was stabilized and the material was completely expired. This is a real juggling act to keep costs down. It is a very expensive illness to treat.

[tyry]

We are just outside in Chicago and with our regular vet we pay $210 per test. Jen's IMS is about $280 plus an office visit each time for a total around $350.

[Katbrown2057]

We just had our first ACTH done for our 7 year old Miniature Pinscher, Ty. It cost $420. We were told we need to have another one done in two weeks.

Kat Brown

[Mary Lou]

Sorry I'm late to this thread. Just recently diagnosed with Diabetes and Cushings. We're in Florida and our vet charges 235.00 for the ACTH stimulation. It could be that fees vary according to what part of the U.S. you're in.

[Doggyw/Cushings]

Medical progress exam: $43
ACTH Stim Test $187
Lab Prep Fee $38
Cortrosyn injection $119
4 hour hospitalization $27

Total $414.

[Joan2517]

$195 for ACHT with GP

[MoesMommy]

$200 for ACTH

[pmfpa]

I voted for the $200.00 range. This was purely the ACTH test and blood work associated with this. There was also an exam fee, and a fee for electrolytes which I think would go with most ACTH testing. This brought the test fee up to $312.00. This was internal medicine at a teaching hospital.

[WeLoveAthena]

Low Dose Dex Suppression in house $190.00
Dexamethasone 2mg/ml injection $40.00
__________________________________________
Total $230.00

Confirmed Dx of Cushings on Feb 8, 2016


Vetoryl Rx 60mgs $254.00

Vet wanted her on 120mgs but we asked to start her on 1/2 the amount.

She started the meds on Feb 9th 2016


We dropped her off at 0800 and picked her up at 1730 hours. She was there all day for testing.

She has an appt on the 25 to check 2 week levels on the meds. Not sure what the cost of that will be.

[glfprncs]

TC's last ACTH stim, which was in January, was $250. The cost of the Cotrosyn had almost doubled since his test prior to that, which was in June of 2015. His tests the two years prior to that were $175.

We are in North Augusta, SC, and this was with my local veterinarian.

[onlyg]

$230 and I'm in S Florida.

[ehill102]

In Northern New Jersey:
Medical Progress Exam - $ 40
Blood Pressure - $ 50
Hospitalization - $25
Med Waste - $ 4
Med Administration - $120
ACTH Pre/Post Bloodwork - $187

Whopping total = $426.75

[Help4Bailey]

Bailey's first ACTH Stim test cost $180 but Cortisone injection was $250 = $430. Her subsequent ACTH Stim test cost $180 but Cortisyn injection was only $50 due to the vet being able to use less of the Cortisyn. Much better cost for subsequent testing.

My error, I originally selected both $50 and $250 thinking this was the cost of the Stim test, but unfortunately my poll was placed under the $50 for ACTH Stim test which was really the cost of the Cortisyn injection of the 2nd Stim test. The actual ACTH Stim test itself was $180 each time not including Cortisone injection.

Lynette

[jraven]

In central New Jersey
in-patient care-31
CORTISOL-33.37
Cortrosyn injectable 0.25-357.93
Cortisol additional-25.03
electrolytes panel-46.67
GRAND TOTAL 519.06
what they are charging for the Triostane is unreal from what I can buy for,easily double

[Harley's Mom]

I live in Virginia. My total cost for just the blood work and injection was $250.00 The medicine Vetoryl is $90.00 a month for a 20 lb. shih-Tzu.

[Sooty]

Hi, I live in Yonkers,ny I pay $385.00 per test for a Chihuahua

[resqdogs2]

I live in IL just east of St. Louis, MO. I pay $147. but I would expect yours to cost that for your area because I was just out in NJ at a friend's house and everything, not just vet stuff, was 2 times as expensive there, so I would expect vet costs to be at least twice as much too. Cost of living is less here, but obviously so are our salaries.

[Whitney]

Mine was almost 500 dollars in Indiana but I had extensive testing done.

[Jacktheboxer]

$300 in Newport Beach Ca.
I order vetoryl from California Pet Pharmacy on line. For my 80lb boxer on 120mg daily dose I pay $140 per month for the meds. From his vet it would be almost twice as much

[Julzmama]

I just had it done this week and paid $307.19 in TX

[Margie Bell]

In Southern California $350.:mad: going on third test Saturday
$150. Month For trilostane caps 10 MG
just started. Got to find a way to cut costs!

[psigourney56@gmail.com]

[QUOTE=Roxee's Dad;13804]This is a poll to help new members get an idea of what the cost are involved with the diagnosis and on going monitoring of K9cushings via the ACTH Stimulation test.

Information on this test can be found in our Resources Forum:
http://www.k9cushings.com/forum/showthread.php?t=217

Choice 1 – Choose the price range you have paid
Choice 2 – Choose whether the test was performed by a IMS (Internal Medicine Specialist) or a GP (General Practitioner Vet)


Please also feel free to post any comments. GP-$320.00 US dollars. Ha
ven't been to Specialist yet. hope it isn't to much.

[karen Thompson]

Hello,
I am new to the group, my boy, Burden, was just diagnosed today after his ACTH test yesterday. I haven't seen the billing statement yet, but the vet told me it would be around $600+ and will need to be repeated every month. I have ordered Trilostane 120 ML capsules via valleyvet.com. Their price is $108.95 for a 30 day supply.
Burden is my 9 year old, EPI, German Shepherd best friendm weighs in at 125.
I have many questions, but will first spend some time looking through your posts and files. Thank you so much for allowing us to join

[Ashford]

I paid $111 for the test, and $18.12 for the Cosyntropin drug (50mcg). This was the first 2 week test after starting Vetoryl, 5mg capsules, one every 12 hours. (Ashford is a 11 year old, 13 pound dachshund.) The test was performed on August 3, 2017 at the NC State University Veterinary Hospital through the Internal Medicine Dept.

[desia]

I paid $154.00 for ACTH
I paid $65.35 for Cortrosyn injection
Paid $195.00 for Bile acids profile 2 sample T220?
CNC $91.50
First time with extays total was $887.00
Second ACTH was $ 154.00
Second Cortrosyn injection was $65.35?
First charge for Trylostane caps 10mg $94.00
Second order was $74.00
Just picked up again this week Trylostane $72.80?
Why price change so much? Anyone have SAM expenses?

[ChihuahuaMama]

We just got Shirley's first ACTH Stim test done last week, $252 done by her regular Vet.

[alleng8304]

$232 for ACTH Stim

[sduke]

$202.78 for the ACTH STIM 1 pre/post and $220.64 for the low dose dex supres (3samples)He had 2 test to confirm and find out which kind he had.

[Elizabeth513]

Thought it might be interesting to see how prices change over time.
Cortrosyn injection was $219
Test was $190