LymeNet Flash: Help - serum or whole blood Western Blot sample for IgeneX lab tests?

This is topic Help - serum or whole blood Western Blot sample for IgeneX lab tests? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by Patti C. (Member # 14516) on :

Hi Lymees,
I'm going to my lame illiterate doc on Weds., and I'm going to bring my IgeneX test kit with me, hoping she'll "let" me go to the lab and get my blood drawn for LD testing.

I'm so excited! I finally have the testing supplies from the lab; now just hoping my doc will sign the order. The QUESTION: Do I have her request WHOLE BLOOD OR SERUM?

I'm not educated on this matter, and thought some of you may know if there's a difference. Does one or the other yield better results?

Please shower me with your collective wisdom.

Thanks,
Patti

Posted by Michelle M (Member # 7200) on :

I'm seeming to recall that they spin or centrifuge the blood before putting it in the tube.

I think IGeneX has a handout among the papers they send, with some rudimentary instructions for the lab.

Good luck getting your duck to sign. Ask him to "humour" you.

EARLY in the week's best, if after Tuesday then wait till next week.

If the lab has any questions they'll have the IGeneX form with the phone number. I'll bet they do this all the time for OTHER western blots (not IGeneX) so will be familiar with the procedure.

Good luck!

Michelle

Posted by kbholley (Member # 12938) on :

I went to LabCorp here in Tallahassee and had them draw the blood.

They looked at the form from Igenex, and gave the blood back to me for me to send off with payment for the test to Igenex.

I sent it off from the Fed-Ex place.

Don't know if it helps or not.

Posted by tad (Member # 14433) on :

Hi Patti,

I would check the website, because if remember correctly (which would be unusal for my lyme brain) [Eek!]

but I think when I had my Igenex test done if your ordered whole blood they ran a serum for free, and vice versa. Kind a two for one special.

Tracy

Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :

Patti, yes look at your complete blood kit with INSTRUCTIONS inside; that will answer the question.

yes, blood has to be spun down, then if they won't mail it; you can; PREPAID POSTAGE.

you just need to prepay by furnishing your credit card no. or money order!

is your appt. Wed. am or pm; at our local clinic they use NOON WED. as cut off to send these so it arrives by FRIDAY latest so it doesn't sit in post office.

also, dr. has to sign, date, put diagnosis code and it SHOULD NOT BE LYME or it will cause your insurance co. to deny it said someone last week on here! good luck!