I has this test done a few weeks ago and it came up positive for babesia. How accurate is this test for babesia? If the numbers go up or down is that an indicator for how well teatment is going? Any info would be great. Thanks
Posted by Marcie (Member # 10070) on :
up
Posted by ktkdommer (Member # 29020) on :
This is kind of what I got for responses when I asked about the test and how it measures for babesia. Googling didn't help much either.
Hopefully a brilliant person will be along soon and answer your questions.
Maybe the test isn't that common.
Posted by Katrina (Member # 15236) on :
Hi Marcie,
I had this test years ago now and it is my belief that ECP is used to monitor babesia. Eosinophils are a type of blood cell that attacks parasites. Sometimes when they are active or needed as with allergies, asthma or parasitic diseases their levels go up. I don't know how specific they are with babesia. I know my doctor at the time used that test along with others to get a feel for what was going on with my babesia.
Hope that helps. I can ask my doctor next time what he thinks of this test.
Katrina
Posted by seekhelp (Member # 15067) on :
Not sure. I had it run one time, but my insurance decided not to cover it. it'll be the LAST time I do the test given this issue.
Normal was 0-10. My number was 62. I wasn't even on Babesia treatment at the time!
My ID doc thought nothing of it as he had no clue what the test was. Either did my hematologist. The famous Dr. S in FL who writes tons of books talks about it in his 2009 Update on Babesia E-book available for free.
I have no idea if it's valid or another hocus pocus game.
Posted by Marcie (Member # 10070) on :
Hi Katrina! If you could ask your dr. next time you talk with him that would be helpful. Thanks
Kari- I think your right. This test sounds like it is not that common from responses that you and I have gotten.
Posted by daniel (Member # 22201) on :
hough ??? i dont think that ECP is specific for babesia
Posted by Marcie (Member # 10070) on :
daniel- What are your thoughts on this? Why do you think that the ecp is not specific to babesia? Just trying to figure things out.
Posted by Haley (Member # 22008) on :
Marcie - I think this is explained well in Dr. S's book - updated version of Babesia. I don't have the link but you can get it free online.
I asked my extremely bright doctor about this test and he didn't know much about it.
Posted by feelfit (Member # 12770) on :
marcie,
florida doctors are using this test a lot...some other LLMD's as well. Just like some other tests, it is only used as a yardstick.
And, yes, it is used as a BABESIA marker. Theory says that a baseline measure is taken. Then babesia is treated and levels should increase and then fall as the parasite is eradicated.
Eosinophils in general can be an indication of parasites, which babesia is....or allergies.
how's the little one?
Posted by ktkdommer (Member # 29020) on :
Does anyone remember Schaeller referencing this test? I've read most of his work and I don't recall. It would take me a while to go back through his ebooks. He says a lot in his books!
Posted by Marcie (Member # 10070) on :
Thanks for the explination feelfit. This can all be so confusing at times. I have treated for babesia in the past and have improved so I guess this test just verifies what I already thought. baby is doing good. She is getting so big!
Kari- in the book online he does reference this test. I find his explination confusing. from what I got out of it is that even if the #'s are low you can stilll have babs. If you treat the babs the #'s will go up.
Posted by laurie sm (Member # 14584) on :
Now I am more confused than ever. My doc. used this test as a marker for Bartonella and put me on Cipro.
I am wondering if I am taking this potentially dangerous drug for something I don't even have. I have not noticed a herx on it in 10 days.
When I was on Bactrim DS I felt awful after 4 days and I think that treats Babesia too. They just cant seem to figure out what coinfection to treat for.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)