The fact is, he is the one off base. The tests are exactly what they say they are, “screening tests”.

I want you and this gentleman to know that these tests can be life saving screenings. In a group of five friends that had these screenings at different locations and times, three were saved by them. One had a serious aneurysm that was discovered and was notified immediately. He was advised to see his doctor who ran additional tests and performed surgery at once. Another friend’s screening showed a severely blocked carotid artery and was again immediately notified and sent to her doctor. After additional tests, she had to have surgery as well. The third friend had a different situation for which he was alerted and sent to his doctor. Thankfully he did not need surgery but is now on medication to control the condition.

I would say that three out of five success stores is a pretty good recommendation for this type of preventive and cost effective health care.

DEAR READER:
In this case I must agree with you. At least two of your friends certainly appear to have been saved from potentially fatal conditions.

To date I have continued to receive more negative comments about these screenings than positive, but the bad experiences are primarily based around the osteoporosis screenings.

I believe that Life Line Screening is a personal choice. It is indeed cost effective, especially for those with little or no health insurance but in some instances can lead to unnecessary additional testing. I would recommend individuals avoid the bone density scans available through this company and opt for the more expensive but more accurate hospital based bone density study. The other screenings, as long as they are performed by competent well trained individuals, preferably nurses, PAs or other medical personnel, are an appropriate option.

Thank you for writing to share your story and I hope it will help others to make better informed decisions about this service.

Because you mentioned carotid artery blockage, I am giving you a copy of my Health Report “Coronary Artery Disease”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

For a modest cost they perform several “screening” tests that look very attractive. This is a misrepresentation because “screening” means to separate good from bad results. These tests are cheap, fast, and vastly inaccurate.

During one of these screenings my wife was diagnosed with low bone density. We brought the results to our family doctor who recommended an expensive and thorough test (I don’t remember the name), which showed the density to be fine. Another female acquaintance also failed the Life Line bone density test. Her doctor put her on Fosamax, an expensive medication. When informed of my wife’s results, she opted for the expensive bone density test and guess what? She was fine, too.

I have written to my senior center about this and they have stopped using Life Line testing. Please don’t recommend this cheap, inaccurate testing and false representation by Life Line.

DEAR READER:
Perhaps I should have done more research before giving a blanket endorsement for bone density screening through Life Line. I have received several letters similar to yours but have not heard of any discrepancies in the cardiovascular screenings. In contrast, the test for osteoporosis seems somewhat unreliable. In defense, I personally know physicians who use heel bone density screening units in their offices and appear satisfied with the machine printouts. Patients who receive an abnormal result should see their own doctor and request a hospital based X-ray bone density screening. In fact, this happened to me and I, too, needed the special testing which showed normal bone density.

Physicians are not on site when this mobile testing is performed by the technicians. All results should be forwarded to the doctor for interpretation. In actuality, the technicians who perform the tests should only give you a risk factor for osteoporosis, not a diagnosis. I had hoped the inexpensive testing would catch a variety of problems early on and would make people more aware of potential medical problems. I would like to hope Life Line testing for stroke, cardiovascular disease and abdominal aortic aneurysms is substantially more accurate with results that are reliable.

While cost may be an issue for some people, it appears, at least in this case, you certainly got what you paid for. Thank you for sharing your experience. I regret any misdirection I might have shared with my readers.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Osteoporosis”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped, number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

DEAR READER:
These flyers are extremely useful in directing you to testing offered in your area. The services are offered at a fraction of the cost charged by your local hospital or health care center. The flyer you sent me publicizes screening for carotid artery stenosis (a common cause of stroke), abdominal aortic aneurysm (a potentially fatal thinning and ballooning of the major artery feeding the lower body), osteoporosis (a determination of bone strength in men and women), and peripheral vascular disease (arterial blockages in the legs).

I encourage you to partake in the program offered unless you have had recent, similar testing performed. All procedures offered are non-invasive, completely painless screenings using Doppler ultrasound technology.

A board certified physician who is fully insured and licensed to practice medicine will review and confirm all results. Should you have any abnormal readings, I recommend you take the reports provided to your own primary care physician for interpretation and possible follow-up.

To give you related on two of the conditions mentioned, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Stroke” and “Osteoporosis”. Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 (per report) for each report to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).