Oh boy. You hit my hot button, lol YES, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO ASK FOR AND DEMAND TESTS. Sorry to shout, lol.

The story is too long and Ive told it too many times, Im sure you could find it in some old posts, so I won't go into it again, I will just say, ONLY YOU will fight for you.

I have fired 2 doctors. (long story) I had an epiphany a long time ago. I care more about my health than the doctor does. I am one of many to him. A number. I took control of my health and when the dr got mad that I had too many opinions or whatever I fired him and got another. I go to the dr now with print out proof of studies and explanations of why I want to do something and if he doesn't agree, he has to tell me and PROVE to me why.

I believe in dr's. I use them. I need them. What I don't believe is that they care about me as much as I do. I refuse to be a statistic, go with the flow, pop the most used pill so he can get kick backs, kind of patient.

The honest truth is: I have helped myself more than any doctor. By doing my research, reading, studing, and finding place like this where there are great people with help and advice and on my knees in prayer. The supplements that people talk about here are real. They help. Read, read, read.

Some things will work for you and some won't. Rlipoic acid is amazing from what I read here. I bought a bottle and I can't take it cuz every time I do I get acid reflux bad. I REALLY want to take it. But, everyone is not the same. Then there are other things I can't live without. Benfotiamine has been a miracle for me and no doctor prescribed it, I found it here. It literally helps control my flare ups and I wont go a day without it. It is trial and error.

I am no longer focused on WHY I have this pn or what specifically caused it. Hypothyroid, glucose spikes, whatever. I have it and now I have to deal with it and most pn's are the same in that you learn to manage it no matter what caused it.

I get most of my blood tests, all of them, on my own now. I go to Any Lab Test Now! Google to see if you have one or one like it. I talked to my dr and told him its out of pocket for me and cheaper to do the lab work on my own and he agreed. I have insurance but it's useless, high deductable and mostly for if I am dieing.

So, I study what test I need, why, the specific name and I go do the blood test on my own. They are VERY helpful when you go in. I paid $99 for my thyroid panel which is TSH, T3 AND T4 free. (must say free)

Then I take the results to my doctor.

I also checked B12 but that is a hard test cuz the standard test only checks ALL B12, which is active B12 and INactive B12 in the gut. B vitamines are essential for PN. I will only take Jarrow & enzymatic therapy brands, sublingual. That is my personal opinion as I found some convincing studies on brands and those were the top 2.

Read the supplements sticky, MrsD knows everything about supplements and she is so very helpful.

Never accept test results by word from dr, always get a copy of them. Most "normal" ranges are out dated and wrong, especially B12 and thyroid tests and diabetes. You can't trust when a dr says " you are within normal ranges" BECAUSE their ranges are outdated.

You can't walk in "demanding" but you can take charge, be informed and be prepared to prove why you want what you want. Finding the right dr is key.

edit to add:

I see MrsD posted while I was typing, she is FULL of knowledge and can help you more than I can.