DPD Enzyme testing - did your insurance cover it?

Please feel free to read, share your thoughts, your stories and connect with others!
Kobe
Posts: 27
Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2017 10:29 am

DPD Enzyme testing - did your insurance cover it?

Postby Kobe » Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:36 am

HI,

I have pretty good insurance so I was surprised that Anthem denied a request for DPD testing - I'm on 5-FU and the medicals were concerned about some of the side effects, specifically hand foot syndrome. According to Anthem the test is "Investigational and Not Medically Necessary". Reading about the test it seems like it can provide important information. The plan without the results is to do a 20% dose reduction.

Has anyone done DPD testing? Has your insurance approved it or did you have to file a grievance? I'm not sure if its worth pursing -

benben
Posts: 324
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 3:18 pm
Location: Washington State

Re: DPD Enzyme testing - did your insurance cover it?

Postby benben » Sun Jul 16, 2017 9:40 am

I did not do DPD testing.
I'm thankful that I don't seem to have too much of an issue with 5FU.
Oxaliplatin seems to hit me harder, but mostly the blood counts.

I asked ONC about testing for DPD and he stated they just don't do it.
Reason being is that it only actually detects it 50% of the time. So the test is not too conclusive.
----------------------
3/29/17 diagnosed CRC - 44 y/o Male
4/17/17 ULAR - Straight anastomosis - no ostomy.
Path: low grade T3n1m0 - moderate diff.
KRAS - NO, MLH1/PMS2/MSH6/MSH2 - Normal.
5/3 med port install
5/22 folfox - first treatment.
3rd treat, delayed - low ANC - reduced to 90% OXI
zarxio all treats
Treat 7 - 75% OXI
Treats 8-12 - NO OXI, Luke & 5FU
10/20/17 CT- NED
3/18 Scope - Clean
11/8 PORT OUT!
7/22 CT - NED (5 years!)

Tdubz
Posts: 152
Joined: Sun May 07, 2017 11:01 am

Re: DPD Enzyme testing - did your insurance cover it?

Postby Tdubz » Sun Jul 16, 2017 10:04 am

I asked mine and was basically told the same thing as Ben Ben. Even with the chest pains I've had they said insurance wouldn't cover and it wasn't accurate

User avatar
LPL
Posts: 651
Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2016 12:49 am
Location: Europe

Re: DPD Enzyme testing - did your insurance cover it?

Postby LPL » Sun Jul 16, 2017 10:53 am

Kobe, have you received your result from 23andme?
You can find some info there. I checked for my husband before he started Folfox.
DH @ 65 DX 4/11/16 CC recto-sigmoid junction
Adenocarcenoma 35x15x9mm G3(biopsi) G1(surgical)
Mets 3 Liver resectable
T4aN1bM1a IVa 2/9 LN
MSS, KRAS-mut G13D
CEA & CA19-9: 5/18 2.5 78 8/17 1.4 48 2/14/17 1.8 29
4 Folfox 6/15-7/30 (b4 liver surgery) 8 after
CT: 8/8 no change 3/27/17 NED->Jan-19 mets to lung NED again Oct-19 :)
:!: Steroid induced hyperglycemia dx after 3chemo
Surgeries 2016: 3/18 Emergency colostomy
5/23 Primary+gallbl+stoma reversal+port 9/1 Liver mets
RFA 2019: Feb & Oct lung mets

Kobe
Posts: 27
Joined: Wed Mar 01, 2017 10:29 am

Re: DPD Enzyme testing - did your insurance cover it?

Postby Kobe » Sun Jul 16, 2017 11:18 am

I did get the 23andme results and it wasn't very informative - it only showed a slight increased risk of early Alzheimers and considering my family history that was expected. No other variants were detected including DPD but the site is filled with disclaimers so I don't know how reliable the results are.

Some traits were wrong - I don't favor sweet, more of a salty taste person. My index finger and second toe are not the longest and it said I didn't have red hair which I do and so do both of our kids. Other traits were correct.

From a past blood test I have MTHFR - mild variant associated with reduced folate metabolism. Not sure if that has any relevance but its on my list of questions.


Return to “Colon Talk - Colon cancer (colorectal cancer) support forum”



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 114 guests