LymeNet Flash: Test Positive for Life!?

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Test Positive for Life!?

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Author

Topic: Test Positive for Life!?

MannaMe
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33330

posted

The second person just told me that if you test positive for Lyme, you will always test positive the rest of your life!

Is this true???

Posts: 2253 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2011 | IP: Logged |

susank
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22150

posted

As with most diseases - yes - the IGG antibodies stay "positive" for life.

Which can make it confusing - IGG antibodies don't tell whether the infection is from the past or is active.

I think even if cured the IGG antibodies would still show up.

Research IgM, IgG and IgA antibodies to understand this.

--------------------
Pos.Bb culture 2012
Labcorp - no bands ever
Igenex - Neg. 4 times
With overall bands:
IGM 18,28,41,66 IND: 23-25,34,39
IGG 41,58 IND: 39
Bart H IGG 40

Posts: 1613 | From Texas | Registered: Aug 2009 | IP: Logged |

Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829

posted

See, aren't the CDC and IDSA really GREAT at getting us accurate tests?

NOT!

--------------------
www.TreatTheBite.com
www.DrJonesKids.org
www.MarylandLyme.org
www.LymeDoc.org

Posts: 20353 | From The Moon | Registered: Jun 2004 | IP: Logged |

MannaMe
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33330

posted

oh, okay, that makes sense, Susank.

I knew some people get tested quite often and always have negative tests. Then after an ABX trial will finally test positive.

But I'd never heard that always positive thing.

Posts: 2253 | From USA | Registered: Aug 2011 | IP: Logged |

duncan
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 46242

posted

I don't think that it would be accurate to state categorically that once someone tests positive they will ALWAYS test positive.

If I'm not mistaken, even the IDSA notes your antibody values should decline following successful treatment, although some individuals may stay elevated enough to come in as positive for years.

I have tested positive many times, and have also tested negative many times - all with conventional B31 kits.

Posts: 228 | From Unitied States | Registered: Jul 2015 | IP: Logged |

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