This is topic CD 57- Quest vs other labs in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.


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Posted by katyann23 (Member # 15216) on :
 
Hi All,

New to this board, could use your help.

Brief history- diagnosed with CFS April 07.

Symptoms: Debilitating fatigue, sore/achy/stiff -on right side only. Dizzy, lightheaded, brain fog issues.

Subsequent testing showed some nutritional deficiencies (Mg, Zinc, VIT D, B12). Also elevated IgG titers to both Mycoplasma and Chlamydia Pneumonia.

Elisa/WB (by Quest) negative, though a few bands were present. Latest test was CD 57 with a result of 3. What's confusing is the reference range given by Quest which simply reads "% of lymphs".
Doctor (integrative) could not interpret.

Called Quest and was told Dr would need to call for a "medical interpretation". Will call Mon. and ask her to do this.

Understand other labs use a numerical range of 60-100.

Currently taking Doxy 100mg 2x/day, began pulsing Flagyl 500mg 1x/day this week. Herxed major 1st and 4th week, enough to take a week off before resuming. Dr. now wants to use Igenex urine dot blot assay test as next step. At $650 it's a little cost prohibitive for me.

Does anyone know how to interpret my Quest CD-57 results? Does my result of 3 still represent an extremely low value???? Now learning Quest is not always the best lab to use.

FYI: Don't remember having been bitten by a tick, but have found many crawling on me over the years and pulled many embedded ones off the dogs. 9 year old Lab diagnosed with LD Jan 08.

Thanks for any info anyone can provide
 

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Posted by lymednva (Member # 9098) on :
 
In this case only, CD57 testing, Labcorp is considered the definitive lab to use. All my cd57's have been done through them.
 

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Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 
****FYI: Don't remember having been bitten by a tick, but have found many crawling on me over the years and pulled many embedded ones off the dogs. 9 year old Lab diagnosed with LD Jan 08.****

That's pretty significant information!!! I would say you have a pretty big chance of having Lyme. On top of that .. you live in CT!!

Now... throw out the Quest WB .. but before you do.. Get a copy of it and tell us which bands were positive.

That is extremely important info!!!!

Instead of spending money on Lyme Dot Assay, I'd spend $190 on an Igenex WB .. The IgG and IgM cost $190 for both.

Doesn't sound like you have a real LLMD if they're not even using Igenex. Not many drs use the Lyme Dot. It's not that accurate either.

As for the CD57, I would go with LabCorp on that one. But personally, I don't think it's a very good measure of how one is doing on treatment.

It MIGHT help the clinician figure out if you have Lyme, but you'll find that out with the Igenex WB.

A "3" sounds pretty LOW!!!
 

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Posted by dmc (Member # 5102) on :
 
Welcome & sorry to hear your troubles.

I thought CD 57 was only done by Labcorp.

Are you seeing a true lyme literate MD or is it you PCP? If you need names or info on support groups Private message (PM)me.

You just go up to the envelope picturee at top of this post.

Hope we can help.
 

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Posted by ByronSBell 2007 (Member # 11496) on :
 
LabCorp is the way to go.
 

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Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 
LabCorp for the CD57 ONLY... not for Lyme testing!!!!

Where's katyann??
 

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Posted by katyann23 (Member # 15216) on :
 
Thank you all for your replies.

Seems the concensus is that LabCorp is the best lab to use for CD 57. Unfortunately I seem to be learning these things after the fact.

Will most likely not repeat CD 57 but may instead use Igenex for WB. Does my being on antibiotics for the last 8 wks, with a 1 wk break, interfere in any way with results?
 

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Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
 
Quest measures a different WBC than labcorp. Not the same test.
 

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Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by katyann23:
[QB] Does my being on antibiotics for the last 8 wks, with a 1 wk break, interfere in any way with results?

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