LymeNet Flash: IgM positive, but IgG is negative?

This is topic IgM positive, but IgG is negative? in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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https://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/91794

Posted by Osher (Member # 24457) on :

Hi,

I have been experiencing many symptoms since this past September, including headaches, muscle aches, join pains, nausea, neck pain, along with many other symptoms.

I have been suspecting that it might be Lyme disease and I had a Western Blot done.

Recently, my IgM Western blot was positive because of the following bands: 23 and 41

However, my IgG Western Blot was negative because only the 41 band was reactive.

So it's been 6 months since initial start of symptoms. Why would the IgM only show up, but not the IgG?

Has anyone experienced a similar case? Could it mean that I really don't have Lyme?

Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :

First of all Lyme Disease is a "clinical diagnosis". the test are used to back up that diagnosis. And sometimes as you treat more bands will show up, thus confirming the clinical diagnosis.

If you are IGM positive, you have lyme. I have the same bands you do, and no IGG bands.

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Here's your answer:

Western Blot Explanation
http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/42077

From the above link:

"With most infections, your immune system first forms IgM antibodies, then in about 2 to 4 weeks, you see IgG antibodies. In some infections, IgG antibodies may be detectable for years.

Because Borrelia burgdorferi is a chronic persistent infection that may last for decades, you would think patients with chronic symptoms would have positive IgG Western blots.

But actually, more IgM blots are positive in chronic borreliosis than IgG. Every time Borrelia burgdorferi reproduces itself, it may stimulate the immune system to form new IgM antibodies.

Some patients have both IgG and IgM blots positive. But if either the IgG or IgM blot is positive, overall it is a positive result.

Response to antibiotics is the same if either is positive, or both. Some antibodies against the borrelia are given more significance if they are IgG versus IgM, or vice versa."

---Dr C of MO

+++

Print out the info in the link and keep it for reading purposes. You will refer to it more and more as you begin to understand things about Lyme.

welcome! [Smile]

Posted by BHealthyNow (Member # 22537) on :

My IgM was initially positive when my IgG was negative (and I had been sick for nearly a year with neuro symptoms). The second blood test through Igenex was positive for IgG and ind. for IgM. lymemd blog has a great post on this recently, which I just read tonight.

Posted by mcg08002 (Member # 24617) on :

Hey, Same thing happen to me. I have a typical case of Neuro Lyme symptoms. You DO have lyme. It even took me awhile for 23,41, AND 93 to show.

41, is usually just for any type of virus (or an underlying infection), but then again, it can take the body awhile to be able to feed the underlying infection to the test, which would produce more bands. Hang in there.