Someone just mentioned this to me today. I know nothing about it and was wondering what any of you know about this testing. I haven't been tested or officially diagnosed...see doctor in two weeks. Since he's ILADS trained do you think he'll do this test?
Posted by CherylSue (Member # 13077) on :
Yes, and ILADS doctor will test and also do a C3a test. The levels of these tests can determine if borrelia is your main issue or something else.
Posted by Tammy N. (Member # 26835) on :
That's not my understanding..... I think it measures something more along the lines of inflammatory issues. It is used by Dr. S for testing in mold sensitive patients, etc. I'm pretty certain it is not Borrelia specific.
Posted by Summer3 (Member # 35286) on :
I have not had this test. Do most LLMD's run it?
It's my understanding that the levels can be abnormal as a response to many different conditions. Therefore, it is not specific to lyme.
Posted by RC1 (Member # 31923) on :
It can be a mold indicator if C4a is high and C3a is normal. If they are both high it is Lyme.
Posted by marypart (Member # 27012) on :
RC1,
Where did you hear about the C4a vs. C3a being an indicator for mold?
Do you have a link.
Thanks.
Posted by Amanda (Member # 14107) on :
I think many people confuse Dr. S's work as a mold-only issue. Probably because he spends a lot of time talking about mold. Its confusing and the material is complicated.
His work is not just about mold. It is more a matter of biotoxins (i.e. antigens) (be they lyme, mold, Marcons,even certain algae etc...) and whether you have a genetic susceptibility to the antigens made by those organisims.
You could have high C4a and normal c3a, but if you have the gene that makes it hard t clear lyme biotoxins, but not the gene that makes you susceptable to mold (or the multi susceptable gene), and the buildings you spend time in do not have high mold, then lyme toxins might be your problem, not mold.
There are many other test that go along with teh c3a and c4a, and those tests all need to be done to get a complete picture before an assessment is made. Watch out for this, many very good LLMDs are just getting up to snuff on this, and may not have it all down yet. IT is still very much a new science.
For information on this you can go to his website survivingmold.com
Posted by RC1 (Member # 31923) on :
Marypart, ditto what Amanda said.
Posted by chootik (Member # 11221) on :
Amanda is very correct.
I went to a few of the best docs in Lyme/Chronic Fatigue and they didn't really know much about the C4a.
As my current doctor says the C4a is a marker of Neurotoxins, C3a is not that significant and she said it tests for fragments of bacteria.
We did the HLA DR Test on me and since my C4a is very elevated it came back that I have entirely Mold and Toxin issues, but not Lyme and also not the Multisuseptable gene.
It's taken a long time to find someone who actually knew this stuff. If you can find a DAN doctor that works with Autistic kids, they usually know more about all the metabolic stuff beyond just the antibiotics.