It took more than a little. I did that first off, and got 4 Labs in Texas on the first page alone, which is why I asked the question. You can answer a direct question here ( I think the notion that I might be a shill is amusing/laughable Thanks for the yuk! )

I did some digging on Spectracell's test. I can't find any credible documentation that it's the standard used in any of those countries (scams exist outside the US as well, e.g the infamous Nigerian Scam) or that it's any kind of "gold standard". In fact, aside from anecdotal/testimonials (which is how scams operate) I can't find any documentation of any kind supporting the test or the science. (no studies whatsoever supporting its validity). On the contrary, I found a LOT of criticism and cautions of scam and quackery (scam spectracell).

The test has not been through the FDA approval process. That's not an indictment in and of itself, but considered with the other criticisms, a picture begins forming. It's not been accepted by the medical community, which explains why the doctors you've seen have been reluctant/refused to order it.

One example out of many: http://www.quora.com/Health-and-Well...-blood-testing

Regarding their claim that "Most private indemnity insurance carriers cover micronutrient testing" not everyone agrees. And I find that several more BCBS companies than they acknowledge do not cover the test (i.e. Alabama). Those that don't cover it say the test is "investigational/experimental" (i.e. again—no studies supporting the test or undrlying science).

At least one site questioned whether doctors who do order the test get kickbacks from the company. I wondered about this myself, because members of at least 2 other sites got the test thru his/her doctors (not thru ins.) for under $100 (Who's getting the other ~$300?) Their site also says, "SpectraCell accepts Medicare assignment and Medicare covers most of the tests." MOST of the tests? Spectracell offers many tests, some of which ARE FDA approved. Does that statement (not) include this micronutrient test? I don't know, but I'm not the first to ask the question.

I also see that Spectracell has some kind of doctor locator, but that most of the doctors on it are chiropractors. Don't get me started.

FWIW, they're also mentioned on Quackwatch.

Bottom line, when I see one questionable claim on a company's website, I begin to question their other claims, and this company's website is rife with blue-sky, too-good-too-be-true statements.

If you want to buy into the hype, it's your money, but IMO, medicine should be about science—not belief. After reading what I have on the flipside, I can see/understand (even with reservations) why your doctors have been skeptical. We've already got articles here posted by MrsD that only a small amount of oral B12 is absorbed. So what? That's why we take 1000-5000 mcg. The stuff is cheap (you can buy a buttload of it for the cost of Spectracell's test). If 1000-5000 mcg. isn't enough, take 10,000.

You must not have used the right search terms. I'd never do it.

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Wasn't me, or it was something entirely different. L-tryptophan? Acetyl-L-Carnitine? N-Acetyl-Cysteine? This is another case where a link to the original post would be helpful.

That may be overkill. Generally, 100 mg. of RLA works as well as 600 mg. of ALA. You don't have to tell me the math doesn't work; that's just how it comes out. There are several threads about it in the archives. My RLA is the stabilized form (which is purportedly absorbed better & has better shelf-survivability) in capsule form. If yours is not, and is in tablets, I'd just cut them in half and take them until that first bottle is gone—that's what I did.

Doc