I apologize if this is a repeat question. I tried to do a search but I just couldn't find exactly what I was looking for.
Anyway, I keep seeing the name Igenex as the best lab, but are there any others that are just as good? Any that take insurance? I called them and they told me it would cost about $200 for the two tests they recommend so that isn't too bad. I was just curious if there are others that are just as reliable. If not, I'll just have to shell out the cash and hope that Lyme is what's been causing all of my problems since 1991.
Also, I was wondering which tests I need to order. The girl on the phone gave me two names (they started with an I) but I want to know what you think also. You are the "experts" after all.
Thanks so much,
Brooke
Posted by ByronSBell 2007 (Member # 11496) on :
Igenex for lyme Fry Labs for Co-infections Lab corp for just general blood work
there are some other good ones out there
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by ByronSBell 2007: Igenex for lyme Fry Labs for Co-infections
Ditto! Those are the only ones I would trust with Lyme issues.
The others are more likely to show falsely negative and then if you believe that and actually HAVE Lyme, you'll not know it.
Posted by brooke (Member # 16606) on :
Thank you!
brooke
Posted by BOEJR (Member # 1734) on :
Hi Brooke
www.mdlab.com is good for co infections, and they try to use your insurance.
Kindly,
Julia
Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
I've been working on some guidelines, and my oppinion is this:
(These aren't in order of "best") They all serve a valuable purpose.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
click on my newbie link below....
go to page 52 and start reading there; many details there!
Posted by brooke (Member # 16606) on :
Thank you all. That is exactly what I was looking for.
brooke
Posted by hokie (Member # 14720) on :
Metallic Blue,
Why do you like Stonybrook? Just curious.
Posted by kitkat32 (Member # 9682) on :
I don't think Stoney Brook tests for all the bands.
At least they weren't reported on my results.
They did catch my positive Bartonella though.
kit
Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
Stonybrook is the best of the "credible" labs. No they do not test for all necessary bands.
They've been the primary guide in developing testing from the beginning on co-infections and Lyme Disease. Igenex is by far, much better, but if you get a positive test result from Stonybrook, it's worth far more than a test from Quest or Labcorp.
That is why they're of value, not to mention they will test the tick as well, if you mail it to them. They have other positive aspects as well, but beware, the doctors who work out of Stonybrook share one of two views. ISDA view, or.....secretly, ILADS.
Those with the ILADS point of view who work out of Stonybrook do not say so, for obvious reasons. Stonybrook, Yale, and Valhalla is where Ground Zero is for the war on Chronic Lyme Disease.
Posted by kitkat32 (Member # 9682) on :
It is funny that you mention it as a "credible" lab Metallic.
My GP..who is at the top of the quack class...does not believe my positive results through Igenex. He says THEY are NOT credible.
So, to try to prove something to him I said how about if I test through another lab. I went ahead and tested through Stoney Brook. My IGG was IND and IGM negative. My Bartonella was again positive.
I just presented this to his office a few days ago. He doesn't believe those results either.
I guess in his eyes there are no credible labs. I guess I just can't prove it to him.
kit
Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
quote: It is funny that you mention it as a "credible" lab Metallic.
It's quite sad that the idea of "credibility" has more to do with an opinion, than of the factual data supporting the laboratories track record.
quote: My GP..who is at the top of the quack class...does not believe my positive results through Igenex. He says THEY are NOT credible.
You can go ahead and show him these, if he doesn't believe they're credible:
CLIA................................................05D0643914 Medicare ........................................... ZZZ32759Z CA State Dept of Health.......................CLF4033 FL State Dept of Health.......................800002892 MD State Dept of Health.......................885 NY State Dept of Health.......................3172-805133A0 PA State Dept of Health.......................025659 NPI................................................ 1396837605
quote: So, to try to prove something to him I said how about if I test through another lab. I went ahead and tested through Stoney Brook. My IGG was IND and IGM negative. My Bartonella was again positive.
Igenex is a credible laboratory in-spite of what people's opinions are. They have consistently demontrated accuracy. You can go ahead and show these things to your doctor and tell him what I tell people -- you're a foolish human being if you deny the certification of these affiliations.
quote: I just presented this to his office a few days ago. He doesn't believe those results either. I guess in his eyes there are no credible labs. I guess I just can't prove it to him. [loco]
kit
He needs to pull his head out of his *** and understand that the symptoms, history, and laboratory work support a diagnosis, and just because he's too imcompetent and ****in' stupid to recognize that fact, doesn't make your disease any less real.
Igenex: The laboratory is CLIA-certified, inspected by the Department of Health and Human Services for Medicare testing. They are also licensed in those states with special requirements (California, Florida, Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania). All other states accept CMS licensure, which they also have.
And just to put the final nail in the coffin you can go ahead and print this out and tell him to stick it up his *** .
I love you Metallic... You truly have a way with words...
I am going to print the information you provided and take it to him this week. I wish you could come with me...lol. I am pretty sure he would be scared of you.
I don't really need to much from him. It is just that my LLMD is so far away it would be nice to have a little support from the doctor I have seen for the past 15 years. I would like for his office to help me out with the Bicillan shots but I know they won't.
Sorry to get off original topic.
kit
Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
[
quote: I love you Metallic... You truly have a way with words...
It's one of those double edged gifts.
quote: I am going to print the information you provided and take it to him this week. I wish you could come with me...lol. I am pretty sure he would be scared of you.
I would debate him right into the ground using his own faulty conceptions of the circumstances surrounding this illness. You can also show him the studies I've collected if you want. I have over 100 studies demonstrating persistent infection with Lyme Disease -- inspite of adequate antibiotic therapy. That is to say, the infection is cultured from human beings, even after they've been given enough antibiotics, based on current guidelines from the IDSA
quote: I don't really need to much from him. It is just that my LLMD is so far away it would be nice to have a little support from the doctor I have seen for the past 15 years. I would like for his office to help me out with the Bicillan shots but I know they won't.
E-mail me at [email protected] -- I will give you a list of physicians for your area, some of which may be Lyme friendly and help you. You might be able to convince this doctor, if you prepare a presentation. I performed one, like I was doing it before my peers in school. I went to the ILADS website, and created a summary of the information. I educated my doctor on the two-standards of care, and the facts surrounding the opposing point of view (Chronic Infection)
Let me know if I can be of any help. I'll send you the studies too.
Posted by brooke (Member # 16606) on :
Just so I'm clear on this...if I think I might have Lyme, would I use Igenex first? And if the Western Blot (or whatever test I need first) is negative would I test for something else then?
Thanks,
brooke
Posted by METALLlC BLUE (Member # 6628) on :
Yes, test number 188 and 189 is what you'd use through Igenex. That's the IgM Western Blot and IgG Western Blot. Cost is 200 dollars for the two tests together.
If you tested Negative, it doesn't mean you don't have the disease. Ultimately testing isn't accurate enough or sensitive enough yet. We don't understand all the mechanisms behind the bacteriums survival, nor do we have testing for all the strains.
If you test positive on the IgM or IgG, then I would test for Co-infections through Fry possibly, but only after consulting a good LLMD who can help direct you regarding what you may be infected with (Or co-infected.)
Posted by brooke (Member # 16606) on :
Thank you for your response. I will start saving my money now.