15+ Blood Tests ordered for depression!??!! Seriously!?!?!

I went to a mental health nurse. He gave me a low dose of an anti-depressent, and ordered blood tests.

He wants me to have 15+ blood tests for all sorts of stuff-- lipids, vitamin D, etc.


It's going to cost well over $2000. I can't afford it. I'm in my 20s, poor college student. Insurance will pay some, perhaps even most, but I still can't afford it after that.

I hate blood tests. 15+ blood tests for typical depression seems WAY over the top to me. WAY over the top.

I understand that it's precautionary, but.... seriously? For frickin depression??!?!?!

I have a hard time getting to sleep out of worrying. Have depression and anxiety. But, 15 blood tests? I'm NOT a heart patient. I'm young. No major pain or ailments. Young healthy 20something.

I understand a cholestorol panel would be good preventative measures, but I'm in my 20s, healthy as a horse, no existing conditions, perfect blood pressure, no unexplained symptoms, can walk miles just fine, no shortness of breath, no weird rashes, just depression and anxiety.

One day it would be good to have those tests to "make sure," but I hate blood tests, only have depression/anxiety right now, and simply can't spend $2000+ (before insurance) on blood work when there's nothing alarming with my health at all. It seems way over the top, at best. Preventative is a good idea, but surely we could draw the line at some of this.

I have NO health problems. NONE.
Perfect blood pressure, a little high from being nervous at the nurse's office.
No surgeries, serious illnesses, or hospitalizations EVER.
No illnesses EVER.
No addictions, not diabetic (already tested for that several times over the years, inc. this year.)
No allergies.
No alcohol, no smoking, never done any form of drugs or smoking.
No family history of ANYTHING-- not diabetes, heart, etc.
Family has no major conditions- healthy, active, long life spans for most relatives.
I'm straight up HEALTHY.
Young poor college student-- In my 20s.
I'm overweight, but NOT 300 pounds sedentary. I can easily walk around a huge lake for hours.
Have migraines since I was a kid-- had a full test of everything back then (blood test, CAT scans or whatever, the whole thing... nothing wrong me with, just migraines.)

What would you do if you were me?

Seriously take 15+ blood tests because of depression? For $2000+ before insurance?

Find another mental health nurse?

Find a psychiatrist instead?

Quit and not take anything?

Tbh the price of all those tests is outrageous, but depression can be caused by many physical problems so it's a good idea you're getting these tests done, at least you can rule out some stuff.

Are you American? The health system over there sucks as I hear it.

You might want to discuss this further with that mental health nurse, thyroid and stuff like that would be important but some other more minor stuff not so much. If he won't cooperate and wants you to get all tests done I would find another mental health nurse, tell the new nurse about your money situation, and ask them only for the most critical tests (and they should explain what tests these would be). He may just want to help, but I don't think it's a good idea to drain all your cash (and then some) for these tests, you could always get the more 'minor' tests done at a later date, such as the cholesterol.

I agree with Auxiliary11. Some blood tests are unfortunately necessary, in particular thyroid problems can mimic depression or bipolar disorder (strange but true). But 15+ does seem very much excessive. When I first went to a doctor with depression symptoms, he sent me to do one test (most probably for more than one thing, but it wasn't half a pint of blood either). I suggest you either explain to the nurse that there is no way you can pay $2000, or look for someone else. Bear in mind you will probably have to have SOME blood work done though.