After folks get better, do they repeat the Igenex test. It is my understanding that IGG and IGM are not that accurate, so is there any real value. Given this is an anti body test, will it not always show that there has been a reaction.
My understanding is that cd57 and plain old symptom reduction is the way you can tell that you have this Lyme thing beat ( or going in the right direction)
Any comments would be appreaciated
Posted by Angelica (Member # 15601) on :
In my opinion I would not put much weight into the CD57 test because infections like strep can give you false results yet the inventor does not tell people that.
Posted by hiker53 (Member # 6046) on :
I don't know about repeating the Igenex test, but I think the CD57 values are still controversial. Hiker53
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
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You can't test this like other stuff.
Once someone has lyme, there is no need for futher testing and it is not a reliable method of determining success.
Sometimes I think about having a Western Blot through Quest or LabCorp (someone other than IGenix) after being on Abx for a while.
In my mind, more validation would help. If some more bands popped up under these, I'd feel so much more confident about treatment and $$$ spent doing so!
Posted by pmerv (Member # 1504) on :
Antibody level (as shown by western blot titer) does not correlate to clinical health. People with no symptoms can have high titers; people with horrible symptoms can be negative.
If you think you have Lyme but have negative antibody tests, you can retest after 4 to 6 weeks of treatment and a certain percentage of people will be positive then.
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
I would save my money.
Any test could not interpret how you feel.
What if you show more ++++bands yet feel great.
My LLMD treats until symptoms are gone.
Then he does a remission challenge.
To me, getting to symptom free for a few days would be exciting enough.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by webmeg (Member # 13647) on :
My LLMD says that your IgM should be clear before you can say you are cured. And of course it needs to stay clear.
So he treats until you are symptom free, then does an IGeneX test to look at the IgM (while on antibiotics). If that is clear then you can stop treatment.
Then check again in a few months to make sure IgM is still clean.
~webmeg
Posted by tonyp (Member # 14960) on :
As expected, different opinions on a testing. I think we can all agree that symptom reduction or elimination is the key. After all, that is what we all want
What is a remission test?
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
A remission challenge involves the following:
After two-three months of being symptom free on antibiotics you take
1500mg of flagyl on day one
1500mg of biaxin on day two
If no herx, continue this protocol weekly.
If you herx, back to the drawing board so to speak.
If you can make it two months on this two day weekly combo without herxing,
You are "officially" in remission. My LLMD doesn't say the word cured.
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