Just wondering if anyone has used these tests yet & what the outcome has been? I have others wanting to test via an alternate route other than ELISA & Western Blot.
Hi. I was wondering if you had any more info on Armin Labs. I'm considering testing with their Eli spot test.
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
In 2012, I went back to my lyme doctor at the urging of an ENT. He couldn't get rid of a serious sinus infection (including MRSA and two other infections), so after 6 months of treating me, he believed that I had lyme disease.
My lyme doc who cured me did a blood test through Pharmasan Labs. Their test is called iSpot, but it seems it is the same as the ArminLabs EliSpot.
Here is a description of the test:
"New generation of in vitro test for the detection of antigen-specific T cells that respond to stimulation by Borrelia burgdorferi antigens. iSpot Lyme uses an enzyme-linked immunospot technology (ELISpot) that captures the level of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) secreted by the B. burgdorferi-sensitized T cells."
I believe this test cost me $500 in 2012. My lyme specialist believed the literature that said this test could distinguish between past lyme and a present lyme infection.
At this time, I had been rid of lyme for 7 years. Still, a standard Western Blot came back positive for lyme when my ENT ordered it. (This is not unusual. You can continue to have lyme antibodies in your blood for many, many years after getting rid of it.)
So, I switched to another ENT and got rid of my sinus infection in about a month with the new doc.
Because of that, I knew that I had not had a recurrence of lyme. I was totally fine.
Still, the lyme doc's office notified me that my iSpot test said that I currently had lyme!
So, I can tell you that in my case this test was a total waste of money.
I should have never let an ENT get me so worried that I again had lyme that I spent the money on this test!
Since it did NOT distinguish my prior lyme from a new case of lyme, I consider this test a waste of money for someone who has had lyme in the past.
I have no idea if it is good for others or not.
Posted by opus2828 (Member # 15407) on :
That's what I've been told, that the Elispot can tell if you have an active infection. So basically you don't have an active infection and feel fine yet it said you did. I suppose no test is 100%. Thanks for the info.