I have been on treatment for over 7 months. I just had my first CD-57 last week. I was shocked that it was only 22. I feel improved and honestly expected it to be higher. What is the significance of this and where do I go from here? My immune system must be working in overdrive because I never get sick, not even a cold.
Posted by baileypup (Member # 22824) on :
What have you been treating for seven months? Specifically, have you been treating co-infections only, or co's and lyme?
Mine was low while treating babesia, but increased after adding in lyme treatment. I think the CD57 is a lyme indicator, but may not correlate to co-infections.
Posted by Elaine G (Member # 20735) on :
koo, my CD57 was in the 40's before treatment. Then it went to 11 while on treatment.
24 months of treatment it was 74. I just tested 2 days ago, hopefully it went up more.
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
I think Dr. B said in his March 2011 presentation that the CD57 stays low during treatment, but then rises significantly when the Lyme is all gone. You may be closer than you think.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
From page 8 of Burrascano:
"When this test is run by LabCorp (the currently preferred lab, as published studies were based on their assays), we want our Lyme patients to measure above 60; a normal count is above 200. There generally is some degree of fluctuation of this count over time, and the number does not progressively increase as treatment proceeds. Instead, it remains low until the LB infection is controlled, and then it will jump. If the CD- 57 count is not in the normal range when a course of antibiotics is ended, then a relapse will almost certainly occur."
So, as the quote above says, the day will come when your CD-57 score jumps. That will occur when the lyme is controlled.
You just have to wait.
Also, generally lyme patients don't get any other illnesses, just as you stated. So, that is par for the course. You don't get colds, etc. while you have lyme.
Posted by LAXlover (Member # 25518) on :
Hi,
I'm in the same boat with a low CD-57. 1st test in beginning of treatment, 18, several months later, 22, recently 18 again. I want to cry because I've been feeling better than I have in the last 1 1/2 years!
I also don't get colds etc. WHY is that? Because we are ramped up on antibiotics??
May we all be closer than we think, per CherySue!! I like the sound of that!!
Be well, -LAXlover
Posted by mr al (Member # 18191) on :
my doc refuses to even do a cd-57 test and says it doesn't mean anything.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by LAXlover:
I also don't get colds etc. WHY is that? Because we are ramped up on antibiotics??
- Part of our immune system is in overdrive and the other part is suppressed.
Posted by Garbagedump (Member # 26546) on :
I had early disseminated Lyme and my CD-57 read 119, yet I was really sick! Blood was drawn 2 months after infection. That was 18 months ago.
Now I'm waiting on another CD-57 test I had this week. Just looking for answers and explanations for some fatigue.
Posted by LAXlover (Member # 25518) on :
Garby,
It is possible that 119 is low for you. The top of the range is way up in the 300's I believe. Good luck with your current test for it. I hope it's jumped for you!
-LAX
Posted by koo (Member # 30462) on :
Okay, well, I guess we will keep on fighting the good fight.
I agree with you LymeToo. Part of our immune system IS in overdrive and part is suppressed. I was only dx this year but have not had even as much as a cold in six years. I used to be an annual sore throat gal, which would then turn into a headcold that lasted for 5-7 days, and then a cough that lasted 5-7 days. Last Christmas day I had a sore throat that lasted 24 hours and that was it....no further cold or cough...done and done. I have never had a flu vaccine and have never had the flu.
Posted by Garbagedump (Member # 26546) on :
Laxlover: Glad for the information about that CD57 number. The LLPA I was seeing at the time said that if it had read between 40-80 it would mean Lyme for sure, but then it was so early in infection. There's just not much talk about those of us who were early disseminated or got right on it.
I read somewhere that a normal CD-57 was 200. Regardless, the 119 was not exactly the best number, for sure. If it has dropped, then I know I still have bacteria floating around in me. If up, then I can guess I'm pretty much out of the woods. I won't rely on the test results, though. I know how wishy-washy any of the tests are.