I received my lab results from Igenix today. My LLMD says I have a mild case of Bartonella; however I am reviewing the results now and test looks negative to me.
B. henselae IgM 1:20 B. henselae IgG <1:40
B henselae IgM of < or = 1:20 considered negative B henselae IgG of < or = 1:40 considered negative
Am I missing something? My llmd is on vacation tomorrow so I will have to wait until Monday to call him. He wants me to start rifampin in a few weeks since I do not want to take levoquin.
Any input appreciated.
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Because in the LLMD world, all tests can be false negative. Next, they'll say there could be 200 strains and 198 are not tested for, etc.
What lab was used? I'm still on the fence about the clinical Dx part. Lavaquin with those test results seems very wrong.
Posted by Aniek (Member # 5374) on :
I think it is probably because the IgM = 120, rather than being <1:20. Even though the report says 1:20 or under is negative, a number of doctors would look at 1:20 as equivocal.
It is actually true that there are numerous Bartonella strains that they can't test for. But that isn't what your doctor said, your doctor said it is a mild case so it is probably that it = 120.
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Generally, the longer you are sick ... the lower your readings will be and they are often negative in coinfections and Lyme.
That doesn't mean you don't have it..
It just means you weren't producing enough measurable antibodies at the time that teaspoon of blood was drawn that day.
Kinda like fishing. Just because you spend all day out on the lake and come home with no fish, doesn't mean there are no fish there.
Clinical diagnosis is an absolute MUST in TBD's (even the CDC admits that) because NONE of the tests are 100 percent accurate and even our best tests only catch about 60 percent of those infected.
Kinda like a tire. You've probably seen a number of tires in your lifetime. You don't have to have a special test to know you are seeing tires on your car.
If you CAN do a test to see if they are tires... and one tire is flat at the time and doesn't pass the "tire test"... it doesn't mean it isn't a tire.
Same with LLMD's... and many patients here. If you see enough Lyme patients with coinfections, it doesn't take a test to prove the person is sick and has Lyme and coinfections.
Just like with tires, you use logic to figure it out.
Black, round, smells like rubber, on a car, has tread, has an air thingy, is held on by lug nuts, hurts when it runs over your foot, etc. Darn, that must be a tire.
And LLMD's use logic too. Tick bite. Endemic area. Rash. This symptom, that symptom. Told by a lug nut that it isn't Lyme and you are just depressed, etc. Darn, it is Lyme and coinfections.
The problem with bartonella is that even if it is there in a subdued form... it can greatly affect your immune system. So it HAS to go.
Tests for coinfections are nice if they are positive... good to back you up (insurance and the ones who are so lame they must have "proof" before they know that is the sun in the sky)
BUT...
Remember you go to a LLMD for their expertise in the field and pay them for that advise.
You can certainly refuse to follow their advise... but then it is rather hard to go back and admit you were wrong when you don't get better.
If that ever happens.. PLEASE do go back. They are use to it by now. Unfortunately, people have often been programed to only believe what can be proven and shown in color on the TV, or in black and white on paper.
Unfortunately, for many reasons, there are no tests that will determine a positve yes or no with TBD's, yet.
We haven't got the expertise/dollars to develop totally accurate tests for everyone yet.
Maybe someday.
But for now, a tire is a tire and if it looks like a skunk, smells like a skunk...
It is probaly a skunk.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
Tincup said it all.
Burrascano says the tests are not accurate.
Your doctor has heard bart symptoms a million times. He knows it when he hears it.
You have a good doc. Any doc who requires a positive test before he will treat you is not worth going to.
Posted by kitty9309 (Member # 19945) on :
Lower titers are seen in chronic Bartonella infection vs. acute infection.
The Bart hides and your immune system stops "seeing it".
Posted by Veronica Baragona (Member # 21877) on :
I have Bart. It is terrible dont let it get out of control. if i knew what I know I would have treated just on the chance of it.
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)