I'm going to ask my doc to order a Western blot for lyme but I'm not sure he knows how to specify it. Can someone please respond with the proper scrip for the test lab?
Thank You, John
Posted by kidsgotlyme (Member # 23691) on :
I just so happen to have an Igenex test kit here in front of me.
It is under the Basic Lyme Panel 4090 Western Blot IgG, Western Blot IgM, Lyme IFA
You can call Igenex and they will send you a test kit in the mail. Then just take it to your local lab and they will do the blood draw. Then you just Fed Ex it to Igenex.
Posted by JJGable (Member # 22534) on :
I'm not doing Igenex. I just want the script for a generic lab. I want the insurance to pay. If get a negative then I will pay for the Igenex. 4090 - what will that mean to a generic lab?
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Proper script would read:
Lyme Western Blot IgM/IgG C-6 Peptide (Lyme)
If going through an insurannce lab, I'd also run Babesia Microti, Babesia WA-1, Bartonella, and other necessary co-infection antibody tests if symptoms are in line.
Posted by JJGable (Member # 22534) on :
Thanks Seekhelp!! Can you give me the whole list? Also, is there a test that shows if i had West Nile? (see my post "Numb Skin")
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
Igenex does not accept ins. But they will send you
a form for reimbursement so you can send to ins to
recover your costs. Just a thought.
Always get copies of all results as many have been
told neg. when it was possible to have borrelia
specific only bands on the WB which could only
mean Lyme and were told neg. because they did not have enough bands.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- First, avoid ELISA. Those are worthless tests.
A generic lab will not test all the bands necessary for the Western Blot. And, once you get a negative test in your file (as are most tests from generic labs), you can have all the positive test confirmations from other labs and no regular doctor will ever believe it because they are not generally educated enough about testing.
No test is perfect and that is why it's best to see a LLMD in person for an evaluation if you suspect a tick-borne infection.
You can read more about testing here.
You would also want to consider testing for other tick-borne infections. Lyme is just one of those.
Now, all that said, of course finances come into reality. You might contact those at your local support group to see if, by chance, there is a lab in your area that may be a cut above normal.
Support Group search -
Posted by Lemon-Lyme (Member # 19229) on :
I see no harm asking your family doc for a WB + co-infection tests through local labs first.
Yes, if they come back negative your family doc will assume you are 'fine' and not follow-up. But even if you did the Igenex and it came back positive, you should see a LLMD anyway, as the majority of doctors don't know how to properly treat tick-based diseases.
I believe Stony Brook's lab will report all bands, by the way, if your doctor requests it on the script. They aren't as good as Igenex, but they may be better than the standard WB. But making sure your insurance pays for Stony Brook's lab and getting whoever draws your blood to send it there may be a problem.
Although ... is Babesia WA-1 even available from most local-type labs? When I asked my doc, and checked the testing catalogs for most labs, nobody does WA-1. My doc said only specialty labs, like Igenex, does that one. Same with FISH test too, I think.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
LabCorp does WA-1 Lemon-Lyme. Only a few smart LLMDs like Dr. S in MD, Dr. J in MD seem to be aware of it's existence (thank goodness). Posted by JJGable (Member # 22534) on :
Thanks for the input. Is LabCorp A good WB and co-infection lab? They have their test numbers and discriptions on line. They are in my area (Scranton, PA). My only other choice is Pennant and they are part of a hospital system in Wilkes-Barre, PA. I haven't had any feedback about them.
Posted by Lemon-Lyme (Member # 19229) on :
quote:Originally posted by seekhelp: LabCorp does WA-1 Lemon-Lyme. Only a few smart LLMDs like Dr. S in MD, Dr. J in MD seem to be aware of it's existence (thank goodness).
Is it just called Babesia WA-1? I tried looking it up on LabCorp's test menu, but couldn't find it listed.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
I'll save you some time. They hide the lab on their online menu. I had to get it from the author of the Lyme Disease Solution.
Test # 807177
Posted by Lemon-Lyme (Member # 19229) on :
quote:Originally posted by seekhelp: I'll save you some time. They hide the lab on their online menu. I had to get it from the author of the Lyme Disease Solution.
Test # 807177
Oooh... thanks. I'll try to get my doc to write a script for that one. I have some babesia-like symptoms (shortness of breath) but no sweating... so my doc thinks it probably isn't babesia. But it doesn't hurt to test, and I've only been tested for one babesia strain.
It's a lot cheaper than an Igenex test too (being free through insurance).
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Yeah, I kind of wonder if there are lots of positives and possibly false ones though for WA-1. LymeMD on his blog says many test positive for it. What's this mean?
Posted by Lemon-Lyme (Member # 19229) on :
It either means WA-1 is a lot more common that people think, or the test is faulty? Did LymeMD mention why he thinks many test positive for it?
Cross-reactivity with other babesia strains (even non-tested strains) could be a cause... possibly?
Or cross-reactivity with other viruses/bacteria? But I think that only tends to happen when results are borderline, sometimes.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
it has some cross-raactivity with Toxoplasma Gondii and Rheumatoid Factor according to this NEJM extract:
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