I just got tested again for lyme. My doctor did a test called a PCR which test for lyme DNA. The test came back negative. Does this mean I really dont have lyme anymore or just a false negative?? Any feedback would be great!!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
NO it does not mean you don't have Lyme. That is one BIG problem with that test! If it came back positive, there would be NO disputing it...but when it comes back negative... you could still have Lyme.
You need a Western Blot, preferably thru Igenex Lab.
Do you have an LLMD?
Posted by sutherngrl (Member # 16270) on :
Lyme Disease is a "clinical" diagnosis! The test are inaccurate and are only used to back up the clinical diagnosis. PCR is especially unreliable.
Posted by LightAtTheEnd (Member # 24065) on :
If the test shows evidence of Lyme exposure, and you have symptoms, then you have Lyme.
If the test is negative, it means nothing. There is no test that can rule it out.
Posted by lgirl29 (Member # 25158) on :
Thats what I thought! This disease is weird and the hardest to diagnose! I dont understand though I got tested the first time it came back neg. Then the second time its positive. Now its neg again! What gives???
Posted by WildCondor (Member # 434) on :
quote:Originally posted by sutherngrl: Lyme Disease is a "clinical" diagnosis! The test are inaccurate and are only used to back up the clinical diagnosis. PCR is especially unreliable.
Exactly right, testing is terrible.
Posted by 'Kete-tracker (Member # 17189) on :
A "PCR" test, huh? Remember that little bit of bodily fluid that the nurse took that day?... to send off to the lab? IT apparently contained no ["detectable" # of] B.B. spirochetes, or pieces thereof.
As far as YOU? A WHOLE other matter. (If your Lyme disease was originally diagnosed as late-stage, you'll likely AL-ways have a few in ya. The key is to "keep 'em at bay". )
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