I am wondering if the use of antibiotics before/during Lyme testing can interfere with the results?
I have read that some people firmly believe this can cause a false negative, while others are convinced that the abx use will actually make the Lyme more identifiable in your blood, helping to get a positive result.
I am not sure if the answer depends the specific test being done, but generally speaking, is there a basic answer to this question?
If it DOES make a difference which test, I am specifically wondering about interference with PCR (my IFA and Western Blots were positive, PCR Whole Blood and Serum both negative).
Thank you in advance
Posts: 13 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2016
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Jordana
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 45305
posted
When you use antibiotics, it starts breaking up the borrelia and then the immune system can see it better. That's when a negative western blot will start to show positive.
For PCR it actually might not matter, except that the abx could be forcing them to hide in tissues and avoiding the blood.
Posts: 2057 | From Florida | Registered: Feb 2015
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bcb1200
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25745
posted
All I know is I tested hightly positive (CDC) positive on my Lyme Igenex WB when my blood was drawn 3 days after finishing a 10 day course of amoxy.
-------------------- Bite date ? 2/10 symptoms began 5/10 dx'd, after 3 months numerous test and doctors
IgM Igenex +/CDC + + 23/25, 30, 31, 34, 41, 83/93
Currently on:
Currently at around 95% +/- most days. Posts: 3134 | From Massachusetts | Registered: May 2010
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Judie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38323
posted
I got a CDC positive test while on Doxy after a month of taking it. I was still on it when the blood was drawn.
Posts: 2839 | From California | Registered: Jul 2012
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