Do Blood samples sent to Igenex for Western blot analysis HAVE to be shipped on the same day?
DD's LLMD drew the blood on Thurs., and shipped it out on Tuesday. He assured me that this was okay when I expressed my surprise.
How would this affect a western blot result? Does anyone know what Igenex says about this?
Thanks,
Krystal
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Oh my. The blood sitting around for 6 days can indeed affect the test. You should always have the blood drawn on Mon or Tues .. no later than Wed. and it should then be shipped overnight.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
From Dr C's WB explanation:
"Specimens for borreliosis Western blot testing should always be express-mailed to the laboratory. Antibodies against the Lyme bacteria can clump or bind together and give a false negative test result.
Express-mailing specimens lessens the time in which this could happen, which in turn increases test accuracy.
If your specimen sits around for several days (or if a screening test is ordered instead of a Western blot, or if a regular lab is used instead of a reference lab) then you might be given a false negative test result, which in turn could result in a false sense of security."
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- First link below: See the column to the right.
Some samples require same day shipping; others have a little leeway but I would
CALL Igenex RIGHT NOW and CANCEL YOUR ORDER
and get a new test kit sent for a new blood draw. The sample sent is too old, as four days is the max (and that's only for some tests, not all).
It�s vital to have a draw early in week with same day shipping, I think for all tests, really. It's also important to know exactly how the blood will be treated until the Fed Ex carrier picks it up.
For instance, will it be lying around near a heater or under bright lights?
Will it be handled and processed EXACTLY according to the instructions that come with the text kit? That matters tremendously, every step of the way.
When you get the new draw, you can call ahead and ask the time of their Fed Ex pick-up and then ask the lab manager how much time they need to process it to be ready for pick-up. Leave some leeway for staff shortage, etc. and don't set the draw time too close to pick up time. Fed Ex won't wait.
If you go to a different location for a lab draw, you might ask the support group leaders at CALDA for lab draw options near you who have been good for other lyme patients.
I would not go to a Kaiser lab, even if only for a blood draw and Fed Ex pickup - as Kaiser has a history of messing up lyme tests in so many ways (see: http://lyme.kaiserpapers.org/ ) ----------------
========= As you list "west coast" - I made the assumption that you are in California (as there are no LLMDs in Oregon and, for some reason, I don't usually think of Washington state as west coast but more Pacific NW - however, it is also "west coast").
So, if CALDA's site is not specific enough for you and you want links to Oregon or Washington lyme support groups, just ask.
Good luck. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Looking at your posting history, I'm confused as to why your daughter needs another test. If this is the same daughter about whom you posted on Sept. 20:
With symptoms, history and other physical manifestations, even one + is telling. If money is tight, I would put money on testing coinfections or treatment. Coinfection testing might tell you much more about the overall picture than another lyme test.
As you say her main symptom over the years is fatigue, Babesia might be the more likely coinfection to consider.
If that is positive, it will also lock in the lyme diagnosis better as the two usually go hand in hand. But it might take forever to get the lyme test to light up like a Christmas tree.
But, if your daughter does an antibiotic challenge and then tests lyme, the results might be clearer. Maybe that's why this repeat test? Is it a "challenge" test?
Good luck. Your daughter is very fortunate to have you as a mom, willing to do all this research. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Other than the ridiculous CDC requirements, other reasons it's so hard to get an accurate test: -
. . . The significant antibodies, in my opinion, are the 18, 23-25, 28, 30, 31, 34, 39, 58, 66 and 93.
. . . Data from those same 700 patients showed that if their Western blots had even one antibody significantly associated with the bacteria, there was a 97 percent chance they would feel better with antibiotics. . . .
Interpreting the IgG & IgM Western Blot For Lyme Disease
�2004 Melissa Kaplan -
Posted by bcb1200 (Member # 25745) on :
Uh...the Igenex website clearly states the sample is fine as long as it is shipped within 4 days from when it is collected.
From the "Sample Requirements" section, "Serum" subsection (which is what is needed for the Western Blot IgG / IgM)
"Collect in Red Top Tube, separate, and send in clear tube. Store in Refrigerator. Ship within 4 days of collection. Ship at Room Temperature.
OR
Collect in SST Tube and spin. Store in Refrigerator. Ship within 4 days of collection. Ship at Room Temperature"
Now..Thursday - Tuesday is 5 days...so it likely isn't good.
But, according to IGENEX, same day (which is preferred) isn't needed.
Posted by lululymemom (Member # 26405) on :
Mine was collected on Friday and shipped on Tuesday.. I was told by both Igenex and the ND that this would be okay.. I always wondered about it sitting the fridge all that time and my results did not come back positive.
Posted by scorpiogirl (Member # 31907) on :
Oh no!! That's no good!! My LLMD specifically told me to collect blood by Wednesday at the latest and Lapcorp always overnight it that same day so they got the specimen on Thursday.
I only know what I was told. Maybe Igenex can better answer that??
Posted by sickofsick (Member # 29258) on :
On my daughter's Igenix test, it was drawn on a Wednesday, but on the results it says received on Monday. I suspect it affected the test. After trying to call Igenix a couple of times to find out, without success, I stopped.
But, it is one reason I stopped seeing that doctor! I spent $900 on this!