posted
I was hoping that there was a section or a pin-up with normal and abnormal off label lyme tests with lab explanations from some experts here. I think that would be helpful as I have been stressed since getting lab results. All negative except high ESR- 27 and high CH50- 180 I have searched and searched and can't find answers. Even the EBV tests were negative(told + years ago). Does this have to do with lyme arthritis? When I do a search it almost always takes me to RA sites. Posts: 290 | From ohio | Registered: Dec 2005
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ESR is a basic test for inflammation - it is very simple and cheap so often performed in 1st line screening. in essence, it just sits the blood taken in a tube and measures how many millimeters of sediments there are in the tube after 1 hrs.
The main issue with it is that it is very non-specific so even if raised it tells you very little about the cause - and in chronic disease, it is often low, even in very sick people. (mine was below 1 - which is as low as the test measures - and yet I was so ill I could not leave the house). in your case 27 is definitely high - but it just tells you some inflammatory processes are activated - not really which or due to what cause. here is an article that explains it https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/erythrocyte-sedimentation-rate-esr
The other test I am less familiar with - it is a complement activation test. complement is a part of the innate immune system that triggers immune reactions against microorganisms or other proteins/material that the body recognizes as "not self".
the test appears to be a way of measuring the status of the complement system as a whole. But the way the reference is written it looks like the test is usually made to detect a lack of function rather than an increased function. Here is a reference that describes what they are trying to measure and some of the pitfalls. from what I can see - if yours is raised it would also tend to indicate your immune system is activated and fighting something. infection would be a possible cause - but potentially so would some auto-immune conditions or leaky gut etc. as could a dose of flu for instance. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3168207/
if those don't seem to apply to you - if it were me I think I would be looking to rule out an infectious cause
Posts: 245 | From UK | Registered: Feb 2020
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I have always had arthritis with Lyme disease it never went away after treatment ended 2005 but this is a worry because I have had some mild changes with bigger knuckles changes in toe knuckles and different areas of pain and some limitation to neck. My aunt died last year after treatment with methotrexate for RA. I do have hot night sweats and cold chills but not nearly as bad as years ago. My CBC was normal.
Posts: 290 | From ohio | Registered: Dec 2005
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With night sweats and chills and history of Lyme disease, esp if not fully resolved, babesia is usually suspected. RA could potentially be responsible for the immune activation ( auto-immune disease ) but then there must be a root cause of RA - and here lyme and other co-infections are often cited.
eg there are many papers cataloging microorganisms found in the joint tissues of RA patients via PCR and other techniques. From memory, the most common ones are all co-infections with Lyme.
Posts: 245 | From UK | Registered: Feb 2020
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posted
I did a search here and I think someone posted a link that Lyme disease can cause RA. I don't think it mentioned co-infections.
I was negative for Babesiosis IGG & IGM AB. When I went to Dr.J in 2003 he put me on atb and I gave a urine sample weekly x's 3 with the 2nd and 3rd showing lyme disease at high level.
I had neurolyme and don't remember much about that time in my life. Ann recommended that I go to him and that probably saved my life. Thank you Ann!
Anyway, just worried what his tx will be with this.
Posts: 290 | From ohio | Registered: Dec 2005
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