My wife had her annual physicals and her primary care doctor gave an Rx for a Lyme PCR test at Quest.
Is this test any good?
A bit of history on my wife - she was quite sick with Lyme years ago but has since recovered and is generally fine. But she does have a few episodes of fatigue each year. That's why her doctor is sending her to Quest.
Any opinions would be welcome!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
It should be ... However, with the PCR, if it's negative, you could still have Lyme.
If it's positive, you have it for sure.
Posted by norin (Member # 52378) on :
I would rate the test as just okay. A number of years ago, my LLMD rx'd one for me, which I got, along with Igenex IGG & IGM. In her recorded findings, I got tickled because I could tell by her tone she hadn't read both tests before making the recording -
LLMD: "Your Lyme is fine, the PCR is negative and Igenex... Uh, it might be positive, you need to come back in when you can."
Lesson Learned: If you can afford the Igenex, do it.
Suggestion: If wife's main complaint is fatigue, ask her to have her Dr. test EBV. Mine is always higher during bouts of fatigue.
All the best!
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Cytomegalovirus should also be checked.
I would go with the Igenex WB myself.
Posted by Garz (Member # 52095) on :
PCR of blood sample for lyme is known to be insensitive
studies say only around 40% sensitivity - so possibly a bit better than the typical first tier ELISA and maybe only similar to western blot
the main reason is the very low levels of spirochetes normally in the blood of infected persons ( it lives in the tissues)
PCR of infected tissue is much better - eg skin or biopsy - but this is rarely done