Just wondering if anyone had both elisa and western blot pos, and if anyone had a pos igg & igm.
Posted by janet thomas (Member # 7122) on :
I don't know but doubt it.
Posted by geo (Member # 18333) on :
Positive elisa and blot. Igm positive but had band 41 on igg
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Anytime such a question is asked the real question is: how could I have lyme if any one test is negative. And wouldn't all tests show positive all the time?
I have to wonder what the real question is as finding that out can save a lot of time rather than trying to map out theoretical scenarios.
Is is possible for someone to have an ELISA, an IgG WB and an IgM WB all be positive by CDC standards. Possible but not likely due to testing not being a precise science. ELISA is a terrible test for lyme and so are most Western Blots done by labs that don't test all the bands or have other inferior procedures.
Medicine is as much art as science. Diagnosis involves skill of the physician.
A "Trifecta" - a "Triple Crown" - of spriochete confirmation may have happened but what really matters for each person is the outcome of THEIR tests from the best labs possible, an excellent diagnostic work-up that looks at history, symptoms and the way a person can function. By an expert ILADS-educated LLMD.
Lyme is not a diagnosis to be made solely from any one test - or even a set of tests. The patient's own body and brain are the best tests. What does all that tell?
One IgM band or one IgG band may be all that the lab is able to identify. Any bands that are positive on the Western Blot can help, whether a positive IgG or IgM. Both are not needed. See Dr. C's explanation, link below.
But, if the tests don't show, if a person is ill with hallmark lyme symptoms, that is valuable information as well. The person is what should be "read" not just some piece of paper.
An experienced and skilled LLMD can often tell just by seeing how someone walks, hearing them talk, seeing how they interact, how their eyes either hold during a conversation or move about -- or how they react to light, sound or a busy environment.
A LLMD performs dozens of "tests" just by watching and talking with a person suspected of having lyme.
Same with babesia and bartonella. Good LLMDs have a keen sense.
Is lyme ALWAYS the entire picture? No. But, where there is lyme, it is often accompanied by other infections. And, there are other chronic stealth infections that do have some similar symptoms. A good LLMD should know how to sort that all out.
In addition to the usual coinfections from ticks (such as babesia, bartonella, ehrlichia, RMSF, etc.), there are some other chronic stealth infections that an excellent LLMD should know about:
I would encourage EVERY person who has received a lyme diagnosis to get the following tests.
- at link. -
Posted by Tonya27 (Member # 28369) on :
My wb came back pos through quest diagnostics, do u think that is reliable? Or should u do igenex?
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
Did you read the responses to your previous thread? Read them again anyway. A positive test is a positive test. Once you have it, do not retest.
I don't understand why you keep repeating these testing questions. And I see why your doc gave up on explaining things to you.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Tonya,
You saw a LLMD yesterday and he confirmed the test results. I can understand that you want to talk yourself OUT of having lyme.
You are lucky in that a test that was likely covered by your insurance showed positive even though all the bands may not have been checked. And - yes - a positive is a positive.
Proceed from there.
In all understanding and kindness, please do go back to that thread where many experienced posters told you the same thing the LLMD did: your clinical and laboratory evaluations are positive for lyme.
Precious time can be wasted in denial but it's a common human process. But the longer we say in denial, the more time infection has to build gain a stronghold.
Getting educated and learning the very best self-care takes a lot of effort and time. That will pay off, though.
It's a good thing your LLMD "did take 5 other tubes of blood though for other stuff." But you never need another lyme test. A positive is a positive.
- there are some good replies here. -
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
I had positive ELISA, western blot IgG and IgM.
Posted by Tonya27 (Member # 28369) on :
Sorry just wondering i thought this was a place u could ask questions.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- This is . . . I tend to jump to the real reason someone asks questions like this - to save time and to put you at a better advantage.
We all just want to see you get treated so that you can get better. Your posts are much like several others who spent months trying to talk themselves out of having lyme - and they got much worse.
Holding onto the lone voice from an ID doctor has done so many patients a great deal of harm. There are no false positives, not with symptoms. The ID doctor was wrong.
I'm sure everyone here hopes that you can start getting better soon. It's still a long road but, the sooner you get started, the better chance you have for success. -
Posted by justchugginalong (Member # 23309) on :
I agree with Keebler. There is no such thing as false positives when symptoms are present.
Positive Elisa and three positive Labcorp IGMS showing bands 41 & 23. All three WB tests were done over a period of six months,yet my PCP "still" says it they are false positives...she doesn't know what is REALLY making me so sick. That is why I now see a LLMD!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Tonya27: [QB] My wb came back pos through quest diagnostics, do u think that is reliable? Or should u do igenex?
Having a positive from Quest is very rare... so YES, it is FOR REAL! I see no need to test again.
---and very few have positive ELISA's. You can take both of those to the bank!!
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