posted
My western blot results have come in. These were done while in hospital for seven days. Seeing an LLMD on the 23 rd. in the meantime I would like help interpreting them.
Elisa. It just says positive WB; igg. Positive band 18 Igm. Positive bands. AB 41,23
I'm assuming the AB on the igm means antibodies. Hospital when releasing me said " good news, your negative for lyme"
I was given 10 days of antibotics just in case.
Posts: 22 | From Mount Laurel New Jersey | Registered: May 2013
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gigimac
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33353
posted
It is so hard to get a positive through Elisa. I would think if that is positive then you are positive for lyme. It is good you are on abx and have an appt with an LLMd.
Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- A negative test does not necessarily mean someone is "negative for lyme" and, often, a negative test is a "false" negative where lyme is concerned for reasons cited below.
In addition to gigimac's good link, see detail here, too, that explains how a TEST can be determined CDC negative in someone who can have certainly lyme disease:
WHY you need an ILADS "educated" or "minded" Lyme Literate doctor (whether MD or ND, or both) - starting with assessment / evaluation.
Medical "models" explained here, as to differences in the ISDA & ILADS models of assessment & treatment - and exactly why it is so very important to know the differences -
[ 07-05-2013, 07:01 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
I was tested for all co infections. All negative.
Posts: 22 | From Mount Laurel New Jersey | Registered: May 2013
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Co-infections tests are often not accurate. Some labs and some specific kinds of tests are better than others but, still, the test is not enough to consider. There can be false negatives.
There are also various strains of co-infections that aren't covered by some tests.
It's important to be assessed in person by an ILADS educated LLMD who will go over history, symptoms and how you are able to get on in daily life. They will gather much detail from many other avenues of detection. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- What lab was used for the testing? Were all tests from the same lab?
I hope you were given hard paper copies of all your lab work.
You might check the calender to trace the date of the blood draw and the date the sample was received by the lab - and the date the test was done. A big red flag is when a test is drawn on a Friday and sits over the weekend somewhere.
There are as many considerations with co-infection tests not being done the correct way as with lyme tests. Still, even the best test can miss it and, as mentioned, many strains of lyme and of co-infections don't even have tests developed at this time.
Be sure to note the second name for each co-infection test. The second part of the name is the strain. Very important. Sometimes, it's just an intial though.
For instance: Each requires a different test:
They are many strains of Babesia, including (but not necessarily limited to):
Those with some state distinctions are not necessarily "confined" to those states. Ticks travel with birds, after all, so a Missouri tick can wind up anywhere.
For ehrlichia, you should have had both IgG and IgM Western Blots for both: human monocytic ehrlichia and for granular ehrlichia.
For bartonella, not sure but be sure to search.
etc.
Some labs are not certified to test for lyme and even at labs that are, not all technicians are trained and certified to be doing the testing. Same for co-infections.
Similar considerations for co-infections along the same lines as listed here:
posted
All test were done in hospital. Erlichia ve back <1.64. Done Atari clinic. Doc says negative result. Babesia result shows none seen.
Posts: 22 | From Mount Laurel New Jersey | Registered: May 2013
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posted
Woops. Using cell phone. Had test done in hospital using mayo clinic.
Posts: 22 | From Mount Laurel New Jersey | Registered: May 2013
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