posted
Hi there- Has anyone actually been issued results that say "weak" as opposed to "Equivocal or Indeterminate" ? Would you simply assume they are the same??? Unless they are really trying to say- "yes, you have this band- but, we can't tell you that..."??? Posts: 61 | From NC | Registered: Aug 2011
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"If enough of the complexes are formed, eventually it may be seen with the naked eye as a dark band. - Band intensity reflects how dark or wide it is. Controversy exists about band intensity.
Many would say the " +/-" equivocal ["IND"] bands are not significant. The problem I have with that, is that there are "-" negative bands. The lab has no trouble calling some bands negative. So they must be seeing something when they put "+/-" at some bands.
The only thing that makes sense, is that there is a little bit of that antibody present in your serum. If the "+/-" equivocal is reported on the borrelia associated bands, it is usually significant, in my clinical experience. This is a strong clue that I am on the right track.
Instead of ignoring these, they should be a red flag to keep pursuing a laboratory diagnosis. Giving patients 4 weeks of antibiotics (usually tetracycline, 500 mg, 3 times a day), will convert a negative or equivocal Western blot to positive in about 36% of cases.
As mentioned, if these positive blots are found by specialty labs, over 99% of those patients will respond to antibiotics." --- Dr C of MO
posted
Thanks Lymetoo- I have seen this as well. Thanks for the reminder....I am just curious if anyone actually has this on their results....and, perhaps, what exactly the Dr. said regarding it.
Posts: 61 | From NC | Registered: Aug 2011
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- The lab that did the test is important but so is the kind of test done.
Most non-LL doctors will dismiss it quickly. Sadly.
Sounds like you may not yet be with a real LLMD.
I say it could be an important clue . . .
along with any known tick bite history, your physical history, symptoms and a clinical (in office) assessment where a LLMD will just notice how you walk, talk, sing and dance.
Well, you don't have to sing and dance but, truly, a good LLMD can gain much knowledge simply by a person's physical presentation.
The gate (walk, stride, rhythm, steadiness, balance), how well one can talk, consistently. Tracking, eye contact, reaction to stimuli, etc.
All that can speak volumes. Find an ILADS-educated LLMD. Just be yourself. Let the doctor SEE for himself or herself.
(What ILADS is) . . . WHY you need an ILADS-educated, Lyme Literate Doctor - starting with assessment / evaluation. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673
posted
- Looking back at your previous posts, I don't understand how this question is even coming up.
You said:
"I have had a few different tests.
Lapcorp- pos. band 23 (other posts), Duke-not provided bands- so I don't know what showed up- but
positive Elisa,
Igenex- 23,41,58 - all which can cross react- the only question was the
ind. on 39-and 23-25" (end quote). -------------------
I don't know why you'd now be questioning another test has come back as "weak"
A positive Elisa is not weak but very strong.
And the Western Blot bands back that up.
Have you found an ILADS-educated LLMD? Hope so. -
Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007
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posted
Yes, indeed, the results of my last test are listed as "weak" on one band. I have three more weeks before my appt. I am already treating and on meds. I have a positive among the tests hands down. I am not concerned about that anymore.
Was just curious thats all....
thanks-no worries
Posts: 61 | From NC | Registered: Aug 2011
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As I was reading my old posts, hearing additional stories from others, and receiving Lyme inquiries etc...I thought it may be helpful to (quickly) clarify my "weak" post for you. I have seen "weak" posted in old studies on the internet as well. I thought a tiny bit of info may be helpful simply as a validation and/or support to what so many people have gone through.
I have seen other posts from individuals relating "weak" to "a tiny bit pregnant".... )
Here is a copy of how one institution got around giving me a copy of my labs and bands...Further- I was practically non-functioning, had every Lyme symptom, pages and pages of notes, dates, tests, etc.... and this Dr. completely ignored all of it.
I continued to return for help because I genuinely believed he would eventually help (listen to) me- and- my whole system was shutting down very quickly. Needless to say, I eventually hit do or die....Imagine my utter shock when I discovered that a patient of Dr. J's put this Dr. on their list of helpful Lyme Dr.s.....Perhaps his job was threatened, but-ethically? Here was another Dr. willing to watch a patient slowly die...I eventually found a true angel to help in Dr. S.
In short- here was what I received after months of asking for a copy of my "bands". (not photos;) They refused to give me a copy of my tests.....This was the result after months of phone play and eventually working with Patient Advocacy:
"We do not have photos of your WB. However, I can describe the result for you. You had a positive band 23kd and a weak band at 41kd. You need 2 positive bands to be called positive, so you only have 1. Technically, the result from the WB was negative. The positive band was IgM. This indicates no evidence of chronic Lyme disease. IgG bands were negative. Your new doctor may want to repeat Lyme testing to see if you had a recent exposure that caused the one positive IgM band. The above information is what I received from Dr. ___. I hope this information is helpful."
Just FYI for others that were/are curious....
Much love, healing and support to all.
Posts: 61 | From NC | Registered: Aug 2011
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They did confirm IgM for both, and- I don't really know if the IgG were negative or not.... (for this test/time specifically)
Posts: 61 | From NC | Registered: Aug 2011
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