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Originally posted by Kara Tyson:
Hiker, where do you live?

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I live in central Illinois--a town called Normal.

I have used Bowen. The staff there is very helpful if you want to call and ask questions prior to actually ordering the test. An MD has to actually order the test; however, and the results are sent to the MD.

Insurance does NOT PAY for the test because it is a Research Lab.

This fee covers the serum test for Lyme and all the co-infections. They do not specifically test for myocplasmas. However, Lyme IS considered by most to be a mycoplasma.

The thing I like about the test is that it gives you a ratio of the antigen (this is not an antibody test). So, if you want to test again in the future to see if tx is working you have that option.

Someone who I highly respect who has Lyme and is a Lyme activist recommended this lab which is why I chose it.

I used Labcorp for my Western Blot... I do NOT recommend Labcorp.

MD Lab also found postitive results in a PCR test.
http://www.bowen.org/information.htm

Phone: (727) 937-9077 Fax: (727) 942-9687

As I was searching I came across this article. To read the full article check the link below.

"The following informal poll was conducted by a lyme activist...Tincup. Considering that accurate testing is a crucial factor in determining whether someone gets treatment or not, it is helpful to know which labs are getting what results. 72 lab tests were tallied. Lyme patients from 9 different states...from California to Indianna, to New York and Florida, sent in their results from their respective labs. Here is a summary.

Igenex Lab - more than 85% of tests submitted were positive

MDL Lab - slightly more than 65% were positive

Stoney Brook - slightly more than 30% of tests were positive

Labcorp - slightly more than 25% were positive

Quest labs - 20% positive

Note ... Bowen tests are not usually influenced by taking antibiotics prior to testing. A number of the patients were at various stages of taking antibiotics when the tests were performed at the other labs, which may have influenced the results, therefore I am allowing for that and am reporting Bowen results separately.

Bowen - slightly over 95%of those tested were positive."
http://www.rumormillnews.com/cgi-bin/forum.cgi?noframes;read=48677