I finally got my lab test results back this week and I'm kind of freaked out by how LOW my CD 57 count is. It's 14.
Any idea why it could be so low? I got sick in mid-July, suddenly and severely. (WB positive for bands 41 and 23.) But I read online that it takes a year of having Lyme for the count to get that low. So, if that's true, it doesn't add up.
Could the low count be caused in part by a co-infection, or something else, like a virus, along with the Lyme?
Or, I did take a short course of prednisone before the Lyme dx. Could that do it?
On the labs, I also tested positive for Babesia Duncani. Negative for Bart and Erlichia, although I do have a few symptoms that I wonder about for Bart.
thanks!
Posted by mookie333 (Member # 26021) on :
I can't help you as to why, bur my cd 57 last time it was drawn was 10. Talk about frustrating!
I think for me, there may be viruses involved, but I think that I have overall immune dysfunction...so far in the 2 years I've treated for lyme, my cd 57 has never been higher than 40.
Believe me, I'm sure you don't feel well, I don't either...I have been cdc neg for lyme PRIOR treatment only pos 41 and 31 ind. But did get a pos. for ehrlichia and RMSF.
Maybe the key for us, is building the immune system, so that we have half a chance to fight off all these bugs.
No great answers for ya, but wanted to let you know you are not alone.
Stinks doesn't it?!! mookie
Posted by MichaelTampa (Member # 24868) on :
Well, maybe a fast drop and maybe the steroids had something to do with it. Another idea would be that you had lyme for a much longer time than you realize.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Which lab? If it's something other than LabCorp, you can't compare them to each other.
Does the test have a 'reference range?'
Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
Lyme too - It was from LabCorp.
Michael - I was wondering about these things - will ask my doctor.
Mookie - So sorry you have been feeling like this for so long. Thank you for writing. It is good to know I'm not alone.
Posted by mookie333 (Member # 26021) on :
WP- I had mine done at Lab Corp too, and remember-as we treat we should improve. I am always hoping.
mookie
Posted by blinkie (Member # 14470) on :
Dont read too much into this test. It is an immune system marker. It shows the level of damage to the immune system. You need to also build the immune system up while treating infections.
In Nov 2007, at diagnosis, mine was 26. In Aug. 2010 after three years of treatment it was only 38. Then, I started supplementing things to support immune health, vitamin c, D, and other things. In 2 months my CD57 jumped to 74.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
blinkie is correct
Many who feel horrible have high CD57's.. and vice versa.
Posted by Healerdealer (Member # 23032) on :
Low CD-57 indicates active infection usually associated with Lyme and all the other garbage that comes with it. (viruses, parasites,fungi, etc.)
My teenage son, who had active Lyme for a few years, had a low count when he was on long term antibiotics.
He completed the Allergie-Immun holistic therapy last year and his CD-57 count is now normal. He has no Lyme symptoms.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
Vitamin C, D and magnesium really help. I think it's important to take a two pronged approach to lyme: killing it with abx (if you can), and building up the immune system at the same time.
I've had lyme for years and just had my first cd-57 (lab corp), it was 178. I think it's because I have been on 5000ius of vit D (daily) and 500 vit c, and lots of magnesium, plus some random herbs.
I was on 800ius of vit D (prior to getting diagnosed with lyme) and my vit D level was below normal. I couldn't understand how that could be when I was taking 800 mg a day(lyme eats it)! So I switched to 5000ius (for the past 5 mos), and now it's almost doubled.
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