TABLE OF CONTENTS

How does lab testing work through Plume Clinic?

Lab testing is essential to monitor your health and safety while on hormones. Here’s how it works:

  1. Your provider places the lab order.

  2. A nurse sends you instructions via Spruce when it’s time to schedule. Don’t book your appointment until you receive that message.

  3. You schedule your labs at a Quest or Labcorp location. These are Plume Clinic's official lab partners.

  4. Your Care Team will message you with your results within 2 weeks.


If you are on a self-pay Full Membership, labs must be completed at Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp in order to be covered by your membership.


NOTE: Lab facilities will ask for your legal name and sex (if you’ve already changed your name and gender marker, this will be reflected in your medical chart and at the lab). We can add a note with your chosen name in the order to make you more comfortable, unless you advise otherwise.

Where do I go to get my labs done?

Labs must be done at a first-party Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp location. Third-party labs aren’t covered. 


Click here to find a Quest Diagnostics location

Click here to find a Labcorp location


If you live in Arizona, look for Sonora Quest Laboratories.

If you live in Oklahoma, look for Quest Diagnostics or Diagnostic Laboratory of Oklahoma.

Not sure if a location is first-party? Message your Care Team in Spruce with the address.


Want to use a different lab? We can send your order elsewhere, but you'll need to pay out of pocket or use private insurance. Make sure the lab sends results to Plume:

Fax: 720-815-0227 or via email: members@getplume.co

Where do I get my labs if I’m using my insurance for Plume Clinic?

If you’re using insurance with your Plume Clinic membership, your labs are managed directly between you and the lab. Your insurance will first be billed for the labs, and any remaining balance will be billed to you after insurance processes your visit. Bring your insurance card and be prepared to pay a copay (if required by your plan).


Some insurance plans will only cover labs from specific facilities, usually Quest or Labcorp. Call the number on your insurance card to confirm which lab is in-network. Then message us in Spruce so we can update your lab orders.

Preparing for your lab appointment

  • No fasting needed. Eat and drink normally.

  • Injection users: Get labs midway between doses (e.g., if you inject Tuesday, go Friday/Saturday).

  • Tablets: Get labs about 6 hours after your dose.
    Gel: Avoid applying near the inside of your elbow. Use the other arm or apply after your blood draw.

  • Biotin (B7): Stop 72 hours before your appointment.

  • Bring a mask — many lab sites still require one.

The day of your appointment

  • Check in using the legal name and sex marker on your ID.

  • If your order isn’t found, tell the lab: “Plume Clinic is a national account.”

  • Don’t pay at the lab — unless you're using insurance (see above). If asked, remind them the billing is handled through the electronic order. 

  • If you are an insurance member, bring your insurance card.

Want your chosen name used? Let us know and we’ll add it to your lab order.

After your appointment

You’ll hear from Plume Clinic within 2 weeks with your results. If you don’t, message your Care Team in Spruce.


Your provider reviews labs carefully — thanks for your patience! You can also create an account with Quest or Labcorp to view results sooner, though you’ll likely see them before your provider has time to respond.

Which tests will be ordered?

If you're on testosterone:

  • Testosterone

  • Hemoglobin & Hematocrit (H/H)

If you're on estradiol:

  • Estradiol
    Testosterone

If you're on spironolactone:

  • Basic metabolic panel (BMP)

  • Estradiol

  • Testosterone

Why are labs required for hormone therapy?

Your lab results are one piece of the bigger picture. We also consider how you’re feeling and the changes you’re noticing. Labs help us:

  1. Ensure your hormone levels are in a safe range

  2. Assess how effective your regimen is

On testosterone? We monitor levels to avoid side effects and check your hematocrit (RBCs).


On estradiol? We want your estrogen levels to be safe, not excessively high. Testosterone levels help us measure effectiveness.

Do I need labs before starting hormones?

Usually, no. Most hormone levels fall within expected ranges and pre-treatment labs rarely change our starting approach.

We’ll only check your levels ahead of time if we suspect an unusual hormone pattern or underlying condition.

How much will I pay for labs in New York, New Jersey, or Rhode Island?

Due to telehealth laws, labs in NY, NJ, and RI are billed directly to you—not to Plume.

You’ll get a discounted bill from Quest or Labcorp for around $30–$35 per quarter. To offset this, your Plume Clinic membership is $90/month instead of $99/month. 


If you’re using insurance with your Plume Clinic membership, your insurance will first be billed for the labs, and any remaining balance will be billed to you after insurance processes your visit. Bring your insurance card and be prepared to pay a copay (if required by your plan).

When should I get my labs?

  • Injections: Midway between doses

  • Tablets: About 6 hours after your dose

  • Gel: Avoid the inner elbow or wait until after the draw

  • Biotin (B7): Stop 72 hours before

How often do I need labs?

  • New or restarting hormones? Every 3 months

  • Stable for a year or more? We may extend the time between tests

Timely labs = continued access to hormones. Skipping them could delay your refills.

What if I can’t get to a Quest or Labcorp?

If there's no Quest or Labcorp nearby, you have a few options:

  1. Use your primary care provider — we’ll send them the list of labs.

  2. Pay out of pocket at a different facility.

  3. Use your insurance at an in-network facility— call the number on your card to check coverage.

Note: Labs outside Quest or Labcorp can cost $100–$200. To guarantee coverage under your Plume Clinic membership, use a Quest or Labcorp site