Guest guest Posted August 11, 2011 Report Share Posted August 11, 2011 Igenex labs - Igenex.comPrint out their lab slip form, check the test you want (#2040 is a good basic Lyme test. You can also test for co-infections - a lot more money - if you don't want to spend the money to test for co's - just assume you have them) Take the lab slip to your doc, have him sign it.Take the slip to any lab and have them draw and process.(Some tests through Igenex you may have to order a kit from them before your draw) Igenex is very helpful on the phone.Remember that igenex must give you results based on CDC requirements. You most likely will come back CDC negative. Post results to find out a better interpretation - Lyme is like being pregnant - you either are or you aren't. For some reason the CDC thinks you can have some positive Lyme markers w/o being Lyme positive. Igenex will test for more bands of Lyme than other labs.There are things you can do to 'provoke' Lyme to make your test even more accurate.Sorry for the unflowing bulleted email. I'm dealing with a migraine and just trying to get an answer posted.. Best, what is the most effective test for diagnosing lyme disease? any help will be helpful. thanks rich Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2011 Report Share Posted August 12, 2011 Rich -- There really is no definitive blood test for Lyme, like there is for almost all other diseases. Some tests are better than others (they are all expensive) but there is always a chance for false/incorrect results. That is why most LLMD use a clinical (symptoms) approach, combined with a battery of standard immune system blood tests. Cliff > > what is the most effective test for diagnosing lyme disease? any help will be helpful. thanks rich > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2011 Report Share Posted August 12, 2011 Hi , Good info. However, even ONE LYME SPECIFIC BAND on the Western Blot is indicative of a positive test result. Yes, ONE BAND. There is no way to have blood sera containing antibodies to Borrelia, without exposure to Borrelia. This is not an airborne pathogen, and is not transmitted by casual contact (despite the theory of one prominent LLMD - no proof of that, whatsoever). The only way to get exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi, is to have (had) Borrelia IN THE BLOOD, transmitted by an insect vector (most likely a tick bite). If one has (had) Borrelia burgdorferi in the blood, one is positive for Lyme Disease. In later stages of Lyme, Borrelia moves out of the blood, deep into intracellular bodily tissues, where it is not likely to be detected, until symptoms manifest. But antibodies can still be detected in the blood sera, via the IgG Western Blot. The IgM test may be negative in later stage Lyme. I just uploaded one of the best documents on the subject of getting proper testing, to the group files. I would suggest that anyone interested in getting tested, become familiar with the info in that document, which is entitled, " Lyme Testing " . It lists all the Lyme specifc bands on the Western Blot, by number. Those are the ones to look for. I would also suggest looking at another document I uploaded to the group files some time ago, entitled, " And The Bands Played On " , which lists ALL bands on the western blot, and their meanings, so that one can interpret the results of one's own test, without any nonsense (the CDC and IDSA guidelines are complete BS). - Jane > > > > > > what is the most effective test for diagnosing lyme disease? any help > > will be helpful. thanks rich > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2011 Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 Hi Rich, A good LLMD who understands Lyme symptoms, this is known as a clinical diagnosis (dx).... Testing often gives false results and should not be relied on to determine if someone has or doesn't have Lyme.. Take care, Jim > > what is the most effective test for diagnosing lyme disease? any help will be helpful. thanks rich > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2011 Report Share Posted August 13, 2011 Rich -- Here's a very informative website...one of the best I have read: http://www.lyme-symptoms.com/Getting-Started.html Cliff > > > > > > what is the most effective test for diagnosing lyme disease? any help > > will be helpful. thanks rich > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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