posted
I believe somewhere on your report it will say that double-starred bands have special signifance,
-------------------- Sick since at least age 6, now 67. Decades of misdiagnosis. Numerous arthritic, neuro, psych, vision, cardiac symptoms. Been treating for 7 years, incl 8 mos on IV. Bart was missed so now treating that. Posts: 765 | From nw ct | Registered: Sep 2008
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
excellent question genie
i looked at below and saw NOTHING about this either.
i copied it to this link, dr. c's explanation of western blot blood tests ...
Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
I think it means those are the ones that the CDC considers to be significant for a Lyme diagnosis.
Even though band 41 is not specific to only the bacteria that causes Lyme, there are 3 bands they use to diagnose Lyme on the IgM, and band 41 is one of them. (23 and 39 are the other two).
To fit the CDC criteria on IgM, you need at least 2 of the 3 bands.
To fit the CDC criteria on IgG, you need 5 bands out of a specific group of them.
The CDC guidelines are kind of strange, because they leave out bands that are believed to be more specific to Lyme, but include bands like 41 that don't necessarily mean only Lyme. Go figure.
But 41 is found commonly in Lyme, so if you have that, there is a chance you have Lyme. You are half way to a CDC positive on IgM.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
Oops, my lyme brain has woke up and regrouped. I reread the report and it said to be positive by Igenex interpretation one must have two or more of the double starred bands (the astericks I asked about??).
I had 4 of the 5 bands necessary to be CDC positive but didn't quite make it.
Anyway, here are my IgG results and I had 6 sets of double-stars:
IgeneX interpretation is based on internal validation studies. By Igenex criteria, IgM WB is considered positive if two or more of the double starred bands below are present.
The IgM WB is considered negative if less than 2 starred bands are present.
It says the same for IgG report.
(the test results are below the above statement on the IgeneX report)
It also states on the IgeneX test results:
***** Presence of only one double starred band or indeterminate double starred bands in a negative report may indicate clinical significance. (This paragraph is in capital letters on the report)
My LLMD explained the indeterminate bands as something was showing on the specific band. Say a difference between a pen mark and a sharpie marker.
In the case of a weak mark, the lab finds it interderminate and the doctor will make the call on it.
It seems that if there is something showing on the band, it is just a matter of how intensive the mark is for IgeneX to call it positive.
Posts: 671 | From Fort Myers, Florida | Registered: Jun 2009
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posted
Lymeorsomething, my IgM results were NEG, only thing found was this:
34 kDa + 41 kDa IND
My original question posted was why Igenex placed asterick's to the left of the band number and +, -, or IND to the right of the kDa. What do the little asterick's mean, if anything?
Thank everyone for your responses.
Posts: 245 | From Texas | Registered: Jul 2009
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
Lady J, 34 is fairly important on its own...often seen with 31 in persistent lyme...
And, yes, I know what your original question was...I just thought were you doubting the results for some reason
All reports sent to patients have the starred bands. They simply delineate important bands on the reference list...
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
That's good to know, had me worried something else was wrong that the LLMD didn't bother to explain.
The only thing he explained about both my Igenex results was that if I wanted to get better I would go to New Jersey to see Dr. G, never said I had end stage lyme or that I was IgG POS.
Left me with a lot of unanswered questions about what was wrong with me.
Not a pleasant experience.
Posts: 245 | From Texas | Registered: Jul 2009
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
jenie, you have an outstanding llmd in n. texas!! you don't have to go to new jersey ...
if you haven't gotten the info, PM me back ok.
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