LymeNet Flash: Interpretation of Western Blot tests-help

This is topic Interpretation of Western Blot tests-help in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/37099

Posted by NatalieA (Member # 7714) on :

Hi- just got my tests back. Is there any way to interpret any of this.?...meaning do the tests tell how long you might have had it, or how "bad" you have it? I tested + ( duh) for both IGG & IGM (IGG-3 + and 4 IND) and IGM- 11+. But what does the +, ++, an +++ mean?

Posted by bg (Member # 46416) on :

Natalie,

+ or ++ count as ONE positive,
+++ count as TWO positives,
++++ count s THREE positives,

I'll copy/paste Treepatrol's western blot explanation links here for you.

Welcome to this 24/7 educational & support group board, www.lymenet.org !
Here's TREEPATROL's and TINCUP'S combination newbie links.
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/029917.html

Print off the links then check them off as you read as you could spend several months reading all of this. Treepatrol constantly adds new links as they become available from the members here.

print & read Dr. B's (a lyme literate MD) info first; you will come back to this often.

Also, see Cheryl's extensive web sites on: LD DIAGNOSIS, SYMPTOMS, & TREATMENT ... wonderful!
http://www.lymeinfo.net/lymediseasetreatment.html

Some guidelines from Betty/others on using this message board:

* Do NOT use all caps when posting; it's hard on our eyes. But I know one of our members has macular degeneration, and all caps is what she can see & read so exceptions like this are acceptable for good reasons.

* We chronic, late-stage lymies can NOT read long paragraphs. So please limit your paragraphs to 6-8 lines max of text and double space between paragraphs.

* You can EDIT your text comments anytime. You can NOT edit your subject line so please make it as specific as possible instead of ``help, question'' etc. in order to have more readers/replies in trying to assist you. There are between 30-40 NEW/replies to post daily so we can't read all the posts on our limited time here...thanks for understanding.

* If you use the ``quote'' icon, please DELETE [B] bold at the beginning & ending of the quote. This makes it easier on our chronic, late-stage lyme eyes.

* To just reply without quoting, go to the top or bottom of screen in the black & white area to reply or post a new topic. Many of us couldn't see it when we 1st started posting. Thank you for helping us all out!
*
* LYME SYMPTOMS - http://www.lyme.org/otherdis/ld_symptoms.html
Bettyg, Iowa

Posted by johnnyb (Member # 7645) on :

Sometimes if you've had lyme awhile, you will actually have a lower antibody response, 'cause your body is exhausted from fighting it....

What lab did your Western Blot ?

- JB

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Welcome to our world! Sorry we had to meet this way!

All answers to your questions are right here.

Western Blot explanation: http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/022767.html

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Do not take anything I say as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops!
Lymetutu

Posted by NatalieA (Member # 7714) on :

Hi- I had two done-one on 7/14 at the hospital here in NJ - I had to go to the ER since my platelets crashed and ASKED them to test me..After I found A Lyme Doc, she tested me through Iginex(sp?)

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

The bands are explained in the link above, but if you'd like to post them here, we can tell you more about them. Glad you found a Lyme Literate MD! Igenex is the best!

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Do not take anything I say as medical advice. I am not a doctor, but I DID stay at a Holiday Inn Express!
oops!
Lymetutu