Optimum Health Labs...did Anyone Get Tests Back, Ever?

[arened]

I bought the ELISA 96 food panel about a month ago from Optimum Health Labs. I have read on this forum that many people feel it is a scam (after I ordered it of course). I am so upset because I am a college student and had to save for awhile to even afford the test. Has anyone ever received any RESULTS???????? Ever??????? :-(

[arened]

Also, if it turns out no one had a good experience with Optimum Health Resource Labs, can anyone tell me about the process with getting a blood sample for a food intolerance test and a reputable company they recommend. If my fiance is a nurse, can he just do the blood draw, or does it have to be from a doctor's office? Thanks!

[Mari]

I have had problems like this for years, and find that I'm reluctant to get into situations which raise my anxiety, I don't always have what I think of as emotional stamina.

I looked at their website and apparently they are still offering the test. I may have missed it but they do not seem to be a FDA or US Government approved Lab. At Rippoff.com 8 people have not received their reports. One complaint noted that you can get a refund from PayPal within 45 days of paying for the test. The first complaint was in 2008, the most recent in 2010.

Problems which could have occured if other people have received their results:

The lab didn't receive the sample - maybe the mailing label came off or the postal system lost or couldn't deliver the sample.

The sample intake at the lab is careless and looses specimens or mislabels the specimen so that your results were sent to somebody else or lost.

They are so far behind in testing and sendng out lab reports that your tests are still waiting to be processed.

So how can you find out what happened and get either a refund or a new kit at no expense? I would suggest you (or a friend) Call/email Optimum. If they don't respond go to the USPS website and the FDA website and see if you can file a complaint. If you paid by credit card contact the credit card company and they may investigate the problem.

Let us know if you can't do this yourself or can't resolve the problem. Some of us will be able to help you.

[OHtummytroubles]

1) Call the company and make sure you speak to someone regarding the test sample to make sure it was received. Document anyone you spoke to and the answer youw ere given.

2) See if you can dispute the charges with your credit card company/bank - depending on the payment method. Again document everything.

3) Turn company in to the Better Business Bureau?

You had a question regarding how you could get the testing done otherwise. You can go to your primary doctor who can order the testing. I have had allergy testing done about 6 times now due to my many food allergies. An allergist could do skin testing and test for multiple foods at once, or your doctor can order the tests be done via. a blood sample or "RAST". I had both. I will tell you that they took a vial of blood per allergen being tested for when they did the blood tests for wheat/barley/rye/oats...etc. It seemed to me like they should be able to just draw one vial and test for everything, but that was not the case with this lab. My doctor wrote out a lab slip for the bloodwork, I went to a local lab of my choice to have the blood drawn (your local hospital should have an outpatient lab you could use), and they billed my insurance company for the fees. I am unsure of how it could be done without insurance for a low fee though. You mentioned being a college student. I work at a University and they have insurance available to all of the students here. They also have an on-site health clinic that has physicians. If you went to the health clinic (if your college has one), they should be able to help you.

[arened]

Thank you both for your help! I called Optimum Health, and did actually speak to someone. I expressed my concerns about the reviews/possibility of them being a fraudulent company and the individual I spoke with claimed that was not the case (I am still not convinced though). They told me the date they received the specimen and emailed me confirmation and then said I should receive the results in about a week. We will see if I actually get them, I'll let you all know. Even so, after reading some reviews, I am concerned that they won't even be my results and a small part of me is worried they just make them up. If I am being scammed, I will definitely report this to the BBB and anywhere else that you recommend! Lesson learned: Research companies before buying their products ( I won't make that mistake again).

I actually did go to my student health services on campus and ask one of the doctors to order the IgG Elisa Test ( I did also see an allergist and have a scratch test, but it was my understanding they were testing for IgE-mediated reactions). The doctor I saw on campus claimed that my swelling, headaches, fatigue, etc. were probably due to outdoor allergies (even though my scratch test came back neg. for everything but cats) and wasn't willing to order the test for me. I then went to a couple of other local doctors and no one was willing to order the test for me. They said there was not enough evidence for the IgG-delayed food reactions. Thats why I ended up ordering it off the internet to do for myself. Maybe I will just do an elimination diet. As a college student, I pretty much live on rice anyway :-)

Again, thank you both for your advice. This forum is so helpful!

[Skylark]

An elimination diet is much more accurate than any of the IgG tests. The IgG tests are only supposed to be used to guide elimination anyway. Your doctors are correct that current research suggests they are unreliable.

If I was you, I would start disputing the charges with PayPal or your credit card company now. Part of the scam is to "string you out" until the period after which you can't get a refund has passed. You can halt the dispute process if they deliver results, but once the time window has passed there is no way to get your money back if you don't do something now.