Hi there, just wanted to know how accurate MDL is a lab for lyme testing. I know it's FDA approved, so is it harder to get a + than at a privatized lab like Igenex?How many ppl tested + at MDL? I tested positive at MDL for my urine PCR but negative for my blood PCR and it's frustrating. But I know lyme is intracellular so it doesn't have to show up in the blood. Lastly, I would like to do some western blots to confirm my igenex ones in MDL for reference with the docs. ...What MDL in the States is the best? anyone know? I did mine in the new Jersey location. any other locations? any thoughts? thank you
Posted by livinlyme (Member # 3773) on :
Both of my kids had MDL run In NJ.. I dont know if they have any other labs in the USA.. then again I never looked...
as a comparative I can tell you this: if you run an Igenex you will most likely have more bands show.. I will explain. My youngest was found negative on Wb for Lyme but PCR positive with MDL..
my eldest was negative on both WB and PCR with MDL..
my eldest had an Igenex and it showed bands in both IGG and Igm where MDL did not show any.. thing is my eldest has first degree heart block.. which according to Dr J. he meets criteria to treat..
My husband on autopsy showed Lyme infection throughout his body. His heart was a concern all of his life. The DNA was foudn to be normal and hte only thing the pathologist could sumised as a cuase to the reoccurance of health concerns being passed from one parent to the child were infectious.
since the DNA was normal prompting him to run the test on his blod samples proving positive for Bb.. so if there is no real documents to connect Lyme being passed on to children in my opinion this is enough for me to believe otherwise...It really makes the Md's think twice about the connection and seriousness of this pathogen... Hope this helps..
Posted by bpeck (Member # 3235) on :
Livin: Is the pathologist writing a paper on your husband's autopsy findings? I would think this would have to be a big wake up call for entire communities of conventional Dr.s ... So sorry for your loss. Barb
Posted by citruslyme (Member # 7851) on :
thank you for your response. deeply sorry for your loss. this illness trully is one nightmare and I too agree this should be a wake up call. healthy thoughts Lynn
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
Citrus,
I tested positive Elisa and WB through MDL. PCR testing is like searching for a needle in a haystack. I think I had 6 urine samples sent to MDL and all were negative.
Posted by lymeinhell (Member # 4622) on :
I had blood drawn ON THE SAME DAY that was sent to both MDL and IgeneX. Negative on WB at MDL, CDC positive at IgeneX for the IgM.
A Stryker Panel run the same day showed I pretty much had no immune system left at that point, which would lead to negative tests(since I went untreated so long)... Along with symptomolgy, was enough to begin treatment.
Posted by HOPE4290 (Member # 7926) on :
My daughter had 2 negatives and one positive PCR test out of MDL in NJ for Bartonella. It was explained to us that for a positive result the DNA of the organism MUST be in the sample of blood drawn. This can equate to having a few peas in a large swimming pool and to get a positive you must draw a sample of water with a pea in it. You can see how hard that could be.
We have heard before there is a 30% chance of getting a positive result if it is there. Has anyone else heard that? So it is a sure thing if you find it, but if the test is negative it does not mean it isn't there.
Posted by duke77 (Member # 5051) on :
Very true Lyme doesn't really like the blood stream so when and if it is found by PCR in the blood it is positive. Nick Harris at Igenex claims the PCR to be 99.97% accurate for a positive result. I had a positive PCR and LUAT but a negative WB.
Problem for some like me is that it is difficult to find antibodies on a WB test if you have had untreated Lyme for so long (in a way your body and the organism have developed a symbiotic relationship). IMO this is when treatment becomes difficult basically your immune system has stopped fighting bb the only weapon left is abx.
Posted by citruslyme (Member # 7851) on :
refused treatment today by doc in Toronto..said my very positive WB from Igenex are most liekly false and even my positive urine PCR at MDL is most likely false. I wanted to punch him. said he'd do me a favour by giving me high doses of amoxicillin, that they cure chronic lyme of 15 years and asked me to get of the zithromax and diflucan.amoxicillin will solve the problems. any thougts
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
My thoughts are to find another a doctor, an LLMD who is really familiar with treating chronic Lyme. If you have symptoms, you want to treat.
Posted by HEATHERKISS (Member # 6789) on :
I got a positive pcr for lyme at MDL. And they also found my babs.
Posted by lymex5&counting (Member # 7202) on :
I believe the only testing location is in NJ. I think they just have offices in FL.
I have been tested at MDL once by PCR for Babs,
Bart, Erl, Myco F, and Lyme in blood. And a Lyme
PCR on my urine and breastmilk. The only
POSITIVE I received was my urine. After ABX for
about 8 months.
MY four kids had all the same tests done except
of course the breastmilk. They had them done once
pre abx and they were all negative. Then the 3
oldest had theirs repeated after being on Amox
for 2 months. All were negative.
But the baby had them all repeated 4 months after
starting on Zith and she returned with a positive
urine PCR. I am curious to see how they retest in
December when we go back to CT to see Dr J. Since
the 2 oldest have
added Zith and Plaq. And the other Zith.
Posted by Andie333 (Member # 7370) on :
My response is actually identical to Julie's.
I tested CDC positive on IGM test and had a perilously low immune count via Stryker panel. Tested equivocal for IgG.
My test for co-infections via MDL was negative all around. Actually higher test result for IgG than IgM.
The tests were done in NJ.
Andie
Posted by Andie333 (Member # 7370) on :
My response is actually identical to Julie's.
I tested CDC positive on IGM test and had a perilously low immune count via Stryker panel. Tested equivocal for IgG.
My test for co-infections via MDL was negative all around. Actually higher test result for IgG than IgM.
The tests were done in NJ.
My LLMD did say these results could be wrong, and insisted on giving me artemisin just in case.