which lab is more realiable for western blot testing for lyme, labcorp or quest in the northeast?
Posted by Michelle M (Member # 7200) on :
I'd give BOTH of them a pass, in favor of IGeneX.
It tests for more strains.
Also, both the labs mentioned completely omit the 31 and 34 bands from their blot. These bands are highly specific to lyme and particularly for someone who's had it for a while.
Their "reason" for omitting the bands: "You might have taken the LymeRix vaccine (made from those antibodies) and thus test falsely positive."
Clearly this is silly, since they could just ASK if you've had the vaccine.
For an interesting discussion of the truly horrific state of testing among other labs (as in, about half of them couldn't find lyme in TOTALLY lymed people), take a gander at "Dr C's explanation of western blot" -- a sticky on the top of the forum. When you see the woeful state of some labs' testing, you will want to use IGeneX.
Good luck!!
Michelle
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by johnnyb: Michelle,
Are you serious?!?!?
They actually believe that is an acceptable reason for leaving out those bands? Because you MIGHT have had the vaccine??
OMG
- JB
She's serious and she's correct!!
Pass on Labcorp and Quest...go straight to Igenex.
Order test #188 & 189
Posted by blackcat (Member # 9881) on :
thanks everyone. how can i do that when this doctor just wrote a prescription for western blot testing and i am in ny? is there anyway with just a prescription i can get it mailed to igenex in california? this is not a LLMd. he just gave me a rx for testing.
Posted by Michelle M (Member # 7200) on :
Hi Blackcat!
Do this:
Call up IgeneX (see website by same name).
Tell them you'd like tests 188 and 189 for western blot IgG and IgM mailed to you. They'll send you a kit. (They even include a stamped FedEx return envelope.)
Then say to your doc, "Look doc, I want to get the best possible western blot as long as I'm getting one. So I'd like to use this highly recommended lab which looks at ALL the bands. Can you sign off on this?" (He needs to sign off on the form which IGeneX will send you.)
If he balks, ask him to "humor" you. :-)
You'll have to pay up front (about $190 for both tests), then submit the receipts to your insurance.
Good luck!!
Michelle
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
What Michelle said....in capital letters!
Good luck and keep us posted! Posted by blackcat (Member # 9881) on :
thanks all for your help! i will do that.
Posted by Michelle M (Member # 7200) on :
Should have added -- when you get the test kit (plus doctor's signature), take it to any local lab and have them do the draw for you.
Some are reluctant as they're only contracted to do lyme tests for CERTAIN labs and not others.
An important thing: schedule your draw for a Monday or Tuesday; you want the sample to reach IGeneX before the weekend so they can store it properly, rather than it sitting in a FedEx storeroom somewhere for the weekend!!
Oh, and one other thing:
(Then I swear I'll quit!)
On your western blot, do not dismiss the test simply if it reads "negative."
You could have significant, meaningful bands that are specific to lyme ONLY, and still read "negative."
Most non-LLMDs do not know this, and look no further than the "positive" or "negative" result.
Insist upon a copy of your test results and post your bands here.
While lyme is a "clinical" diagnosis, meaning NOT reliant on tests, reactivity on certain bands of the western blot, combined with symptoms, can mean you most likely have lyme, whether the test reads 'positive' or not. Read up on the western blot explanation pinned to the top of the forum.
OK, over and out!! Keep us posted!
Michelle
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
Michelle, outstanding advise!!
a little more brief info on Igenex...
dr. must sign, date, and put a DIAGNOSIS code if you want to be reimbursed!
ASK HIM NOT TO SHOW LYME DIAGNOSIS BUT ONE OR MORE OF THESE:
IMPORTANT INFORMATON
If Lyme Disease is written in a patient's medical file as the "diagnostic code",
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