Ok, I got the western blot test, and received a 4 page printout of my test results from IgeneX.
For the IGM Western Blot, I had an "IND" for indeterminate on the 31 kDa band, one "+" for the 30kDa band, 2 "+" for the 39 kDa band, 1 "+" for the 41 kDa band, and 1 "+" for the 66 kDa band. Can anyone tell me what this means?
Do I have lyme disease or was I exposed in the past??? For the IGG Western blot, I only had one "IND" for the 41 kDa band.
What are the possible reasons you would have a "+" for each band if in fact, you don't have lyme disease??? Can someone help me here?
Posted by Lisianthus (Member # 6631) on :
Having all those positives on your IGM means CURRENT infection.
This is something I wrote for another post :
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Bands 31,34,39 are all specific to Bb and nothing else.
Band 30 is potentially significant.
Other bacteria besides Borrelia burgdorferi may produce the 45, 58, 66, and 73 kDa bands. These bands may be produced by Borrelia burgdorferi, but are not nearly as specifically associated with Lyme borreliosis as the starred bands.
66: Heat shock protein. This is the second most common borrelia antibody.
For the IGM Western Blot, I had an "IND" for indeterminate on the 31 kDa band, one "+" for the 30kDa band, 2 "+" for the 39 kDa band, 1 "+" for the 41 kDa band, and 1 "+" for the 66 kDa band. Can anyone tell me what this means? It means you have Lyme disease. The ++ on 39 alone would say you have Lyme, as it is Lyme-specific.
What are the possible reasons you would have a "+" for each band if in fact, you don't have lyme disease??? NONE, that I can think of.
Read this ALL THE WAY THROUGH, including the replies. LOTS of good information there.
From the above link: "Because Borrelia burgdorferi is a chronic persistent infection that may last for decades, you would think patients with chronic symptoms would have positive IgG Western blots.
But actually, more IgM blots are positive in chronic borreliosis than IgG. Every time Borrelia burgdorferi reproduces itself, it may stimulate the immune system to form new IgM antibodies.
Some patients have both IgG and IgM blots positive. But if either the IgG or IgM blot is positive, overall it is a positive result."
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Also from the link:
"The significant antibodies, in my opinion, are the 18, 23-25, 28, 30, 31, 34, 39, 58, 66 and 93."
PS...Lyme is a clinical diagnosis. Find a dr who is willing to treat you. Posted by Penn92 (Member # 9207) on :
You've got Lyme. Hie thee to the nearest LLMD! Welcome to the club no one wants to be in... Posted by Aligondo Bruce (Member # 6219) on :
the band at 41 wrt gum disease, that's really only for obvious ulcerative gum disease. the cross reactions at fla 41 have been WAY overblown. It is a problem, but not nearly as big a problem as one might think. remember, flagellin is constitutively expressed, whereas these other surface lipoproteins are not.41 + 39 on a blot is diagnostic for Bb exposure and possible symptomatic or latent infection.
Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :
Aligondo Bruce Good Job absolutly correct !!
Posted by starrant (Member # 10149) on :
Thanks everyone. One question though: based on this test result alone, is it true that I only know for sure that I have been previously exposed to lyme disease, and that there is no way to know for sure whether or not I have lyme disease right now?
Do the numbers of "+" I have indicate that I do in fact have a CURRENT INFECTION or just that I was exposed to lyme, but may in fact not have lyme right now??
Posted by Lisianthus (Member # 6631) on :
Do you have symptoms currently?
SYMPTOM CHECKLIST
This is not meant to be used as a diagnostic scheme, but is provided to streamline the office interview. Note the format -- complaints referable to specific organ systems are clustered to better display multisystem involvement.
Tick infested area ___ Frequent outdoor activities ___ Hiking ___ Fishing ___ Camping ___ Gardening ___ Hunting ___ Ticks noted on pets ___ Other household members with Lyme ___ Do you remember being bitten by a tick? No ___ Yes ___ when ________ Do you remember having the ``bull's eye rash?'' No ___ Yes ___ Any other rash? No ___ Yes ___
Have you had any of the following? CIRCLE ALL YES ANSWERS
Unexplained fevers, sweats, chills, or flushing Unexplained weight change (loss or gain -- circle one) Fatigue, tiredness, poor stamina Unexplained hair loss Swollen glands: list areas _______________________________________________ Sore throat Testicular pain/pelvic pain Unexplained menstrual irregularity Unexplained milk production; breast pain Irritable bladder or bladder dysfunction Sexual dysfunction or loss of libido Upset stomach or abdominal pain Change in bowel function (constipation, diarrhea) Chest pain or rib soreness Shortness of breath, cough Heart palpitations, pulse skips, heart block Any history of a heart murmur or valve prolapse? Joint pain or swelling: list joints _________________________________________________ Stiffness of the joints or back Muscle pain or cramps Twitching of the face or other muscles Headache Neck creaks and cracks, neck stiffness, neck pain Tingling, numbness, burning or stabbing sensations, shooting pains, skin hypersensitivity Facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy) Eyes/Vision: double, blurry, increased floaters, light sensitivity Ears/Hearing: buzzing, ringing, ear pain, sound sensitivity Increased motion sickness, vertigo, poor balance Lightheadedness, wooziness, unavoidable need to sit or lie down Tremor Confusion, difficulty in thinking Difficulty with concentration, reading Forgetfulness, poor short term memory, poor attention, problem absorbing new information Disorientation: getting lost, going to wrong places Difficulty with speech or writing; word or name block Mood swings, irritability, depression Disturbed sleep -- too much, too little, fractionated, early awakening Exaggerated symptoms or worse hangover from alcohol
Posted by Michelle M (Member # 7200) on :
quote:Originally posted by starrant: Thanks everyone. One question though: based on this test result alone, is it true that I only know for sure that I have been previously exposed to lyme disease, and that there is no way to know for sure whether or not I have lyme disease right now?
Do the numbers of "+" I have indicate that I do in fact have a CURRENT INFECTION or just that I was exposed to lyme, but may in fact not have lyme right now??
IgM is an indicator of current infection. Yours seems pretty positive.
IgG indicates past exposure.
These can vary back and forth during illness. However, yours looks pretty clear on your IgM.
Ducks will typically try and discount such a test but you shouldn't.
Along with an IgM like that and symptoms of lyme, if any, most LLMD's would consider that you have an ongoing, current infection.
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