IckyTicky
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 21466
posted
Since I had to reschedule my LLMD appt I had them send me my blood results, as well as my husbands.
This is the first time we have ever had our CD57 checked. I've been on tx on and off for 3 years now, but I took a 7 month break just before this blood was drawn.
I really had thought my CD57 would be higher... and I don't really understand the difference between PERCENT and ABSOLUTE. Can anyone shed some light? Oh..and I have read that only LabCorp is good for this test, but mine was done through Quest. My PERCENT CD57 is 1 (ref. range 2-17) My ABSOLUTE CD57 is 30 (ref. range 60-360) Good grief ya'll...am I DYING?!?!?!
Also.. he ran a Lyme panel through Quest and of course it all came back completely neg. I'm CDC+ from IgeneX 3 yrs ago though.
My husband's was better than mine although Quest came back with positive IGG 41, and IGM 23. His CD57 is Percent: 3 Absolute: 123 and High White Blood Cell Count, High Absolute Lymphocytes
-------------------- IGM: 18+, 23+, 30+, 31+++, 34+, 39IND, 41++, 58+++, 66+, 83-93IND IGG: 31+, 39IND, 41+ Also positive for Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and RMSF. Whole family of 5 dx with Lyme. Posts: 1014 | From Texas | Registered: Jul 2009
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IckyTicky
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 21466
posted
Also... can anyone suggest supplements or herbs that are proven to boost CD57?
-------------------- IGM: 18+, 23+, 30+, 31+++, 34+, 39IND, 41++, 58+++, 66+, 83-93IND IGG: 31+, 39IND, 41+ Also positive for Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and RMSF. Whole family of 5 dx with Lyme. Posts: 1014 | From Texas | Registered: Jul 2009
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
How do you feel?
Don't obsess about the CD57. I feel that it's a reliable lyme marker but it will rebound with continued treatment.
Mine was 30-40 for the longest time and now has moved up to 80. If it's lower, you're more at risk of relapse says Dr. B.
There are a few supps that purportedly raise CD-57. I believe arabinoxylan rice bran (MGN-3) may be one. I'm sure there are posts in the archives.
Good luck.
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
My doctor says to take coriolus to bring it up.
I was shocked to find out my CD57 was 27. I thought it meant that I would be more likely to relapse but my doctor said that she has patients who have low numbers like that who get well and stay well.
I have a few symptoms but I don't even feel sick so I expected my number to be much higher.
Posts: 984 | From US | Registered: Dec 2007
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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IckyTicky
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 21466
posted
Hmmm... thanks guys. So some people can feel 100% and still have a low CD57? I sure don't feel 100% but lots of my old symptoms are better. My cognitive function is MUCH better, joint pain is MUCH better. Twitches are still present but better.
But cold feet, feeling like my nerves are extremely inflammed, swollen lymph nodes are back, sore throat all the time, sinus crud, and awful sciatic nerve pain (which is fairly new). And I am getting fatigue and "fibromyalgia" pain again. *sigh* I just really thought it would be higher. I feel lots better than I did when I was dx 3 years ago. But sure not 100% right now.
Can I take Cats Claw with Minocycline and Diflucan?
-------------------- IGM: 18+, 23+, 30+, 31+++, 34+, 39IND, 41++, 58+++, 66+, 83-93IND IGG: 31+, 39IND, 41+ Also positive for Mycoplasma Pneumoniae and RMSF. Whole family of 5 dx with Lyme. Posts: 1014 | From Texas | Registered: Jul 2009
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merrygirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12041
posted
Quest and labcorp are not measuring the same thing so dont panic.
Posts: 3905 | From USA | Registered: May 2007
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posted
I guess I am proof that you can feel 100% and still have a low CD57.
I had 2 years of different abx combos, with the last 6 months of Tindamax and Cipro getting me to 100%.
I have been off abx since June 2010 with no recurrence of LD or bart symptoms.
I just had my annual physical and blood work, and most everything was good - liver enzymes were back to normal, cholesterol was back below 200, HDL was very good, etc.
However, my white blood cell count and platelets were a little low, and my CD57 was 42, which is the lowest it has ever been. The highest CD57 I ever had was 66, and that was about 2 years ago.
I am not sure if there is a correlation between my feeling better and my vitamin D3 levels, but my vitamin D3 level has been excellent since I started on supplements.
D3 helps to boost the immune system. I started taking 10,000 IU of Kal's D3 daily about a year ago and am still taking it.
I would much rather take D3 than abx, so I plan to continue on the D3 and stay off abx unless my symptoms start to come back.
I believe there was an article or study reported in the Lyme Times recently touting the benefits of D3 for LD patients.
scorpiogirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31907
posted
Hi, if I remember correctly at the Lyme Conference in Santa Rosa, the panel of Doctors agreed that if you have a low CD57 you have a higher risk of relapsing. My LLMD spoke to this as well... one of her patient has been symptoms free for over a month now but her CD57 is still super low compared to HER BASELINE... so my LLMD is planning to keep her on medications for at least another 3 months. She said in her experience when pulling the patients off too soon after remission w/ a low level many do relapsed! So you have to compare it to YOUR base line so you can make a proper decision to continue or end treatment.
-------------------- Posts: 1391 | From Lyme Land | Registered: May 2011
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CherylSue
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 13077
posted
Two weeks after I relapsed this past April, my CD57 was tested at Quest and it was 125. Three months later I'm still in a relapse and it's now 71.
I figured I relapsed with another infection and now everything is tanking.
Posts: 1954 | From Illinois | Registered: Aug 2007
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posted
If it makes you feel any better, after 3.5 years trying to battle this, my CD57 through LabCorp is 9....and I feel like crap.
My LLMD was trying to make me feel better I think and said, "you may just be like some in the general population who just have a low CD57."
I don't have previous CD test to compare, but I don't buy it. Only because I FEEL as awful as that test might indicate. A completely dysfunctional CNS with a laundry-list of awful neuro symptoms.
I see a very well respected ILADS LLMD....orals, supps, IV.......sigh. TS
Posts: 566 | From West Coast | Registered: May 2008
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posted
My LLMD is very well known and respected. He will only test at Igenex and Lab Corp. I know for a fact that my first tests at Quest were very wrong!
I have been on abx for almost two years, getting better and better. My CD57 was below 20 at first. Now it is nearly 60 and I definitely feel much better!
My doctor tests it every three months (as well as other tests) and says it is a good sign that my immune system is coming back to life.
-------------------- DOCTOR: "I don't think you are sick." PATIENT: "We are all entitled to our opinions. I don't think you are a doctor." Posts: 697 | From Northern California | Registered: Jul 2009
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lymeinhell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4622
posted
Please don't freak yourself out over this. I've been off abx almost 7 yrs now, and have not relapsed, and my CD57 absolute never got above a 21. I was told to go by how I feel.
My LLMD tested through LabCorp every 6 mos for 2 yrs, and the nos never got better - and it sooooo freaked me out then.
I even took my bundle of test results to my Allergist/Immunologist. He told me 'This is such a tiny little snapshot over your overall immune system, and the test by itself is meaningless. The numbers can change on a daily basis.' And given your remarkable recovery 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it'.
And here I am, still living a normal life. FWIW.
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
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