Igenex doesn’t test for these. Medical Diagnostic Laboratories used to be good for the various Mycoplasmas: Mycoplasma Fermentans, M. Pneumonia, etc. But their tests don’t have the same accuracy anymore. That is not only my opinion.
I don’t remember who is good to test for Chlamydia Pneumonia.
I also don’t remember which kind of tests are best for Mycoplasma and Chlamydia Pneumonia.
When I went back to my previous doctor last week, I wanted to test for these, plus Anaplasma, which Igenex does test for. But he isn’t into testing that much, after the initial testing, and only uses Igenex, plus Labcorp, which I don’t think would be good for these at all.
Does anyone know? I want to test now, while I have been off IVIG for a while, and off abx, too. I probably won't have another chance like this for a very long time. Thank you.
Posted by blinkie1 (Member # 42790) on :
my LLMD's have always used labcorp for these. In fact, I just got a positive active result on C. Pneumoniae. I think I have pneumonia.
Posted by Judie (Member # 38323) on :
Labcorp seems to have been good for me. Myco. P. was positive, along with CDC positive for Lyme (go figure...)
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
Wow, Labcorp?? I never tested positive for anything with Labcorp, but did with MDL (a long time ago when they were better), Igenex, etc. I don't remember which lab found me positive for Chlamydia Pneumonia. Sigh, I wish that my doctor were more on top of this.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Labs may be discussed here for Cpn. As I recall, the IgA is more important to test than just the others, IgG, IgM.
Not all labs will do the test correctly. Be sure to talk first with someone very "Cpn literate" Most doctors will look at a Cpn test and say "oh, it just says you've had it or been exposed - EVERYONE will show exposure."
The IgA indicates persistent infection (but most regular doctors don't believe in that either).
Research site for Mycoplasmas - Garth Nicolson, PhD
You can also find presentations of his on YouTube at ILADS. He's spoken at many ILADS conferences.
www.ilads.org - just search by his last name.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
Thank you, Keebler!! I did remember before you posted that I should look at Garth Nicholson's site. He recommends Clongen Lab for testing for Mycoplasma. I called Dr. K, the lab director, and
spoke to him today. He recommended tissue samples as the best way of getting an accurate test, such as sputum.
They also do Chlamydia Pneumonia tests, which Nicholson recommends from their lab, also.
I looked at the cpnhelp.org, and it seems that it is difficult to get a positive with lab tests. But they seemed to think that a Quest IgG, IgM, and IgA test was the best.
Thank you, again, Keebler! As always, your input is invaluable. Who knows if I will get an accurate test, but I will at least have tried my best.
It's frustrating that I feel like I have to re-invent the wheel, doing it all myself. Sigh.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Of course, it would be great to have tests and a clearer picture.
From information I got a couple years ago with my tests: the IgA matters most for Cpn, if money is tight and you have to decide. I'm not up on all the mycoplasma testing.
Quest could vary from location to location, both at their draw or tissue sample labs (if you go there for it) and in their technical labs where they do the work.
You might talk with local lyme support groups about their experiences with your area Quest labs.
Recently here at LN, someone posted that their local Quest would no longer do any test for an outside lyme lab and send it (say, on to Igenex).
I don't recall who / where or the specifics of that, though. I'm not sure if each local lab / regional can make their own "rules" but the quality of care / testing may vary (from what I've gathered by reading some posts along the way).
I wish I could find more direct answers for you.
You say your doctor is not so into testing but if he knows about them and maybe could assess you clinically - and adapt any features in your current treatment to cover other likely infections, money may be best placed there.
Cpn treatment is very much like that for lyme. There are few unique features, though, and they can be easily incorporated.
If your current LLMD doesn't have a good take on the other chronic stealth infections (or maybe that was just for the testing?), I wonder if he might confer with another who does?
As for other ways to treat if your LLMD won't be able to expand / adapt to cover other likely infections . . . RIFE might be good. You can test out certain frequencies and see if that tells you anything. Just in case you have access to a rife.
Certain - and very specific herbs - and my guess is that they might be similar to lyme / TBD approaches, too. Buhner certainly discusses other chronic stealth infections / coinfections in his latest book. -