posted
My dr who diagnosed me with lyme did the tests at MDL who are a lab in NJ that ILADS of SE PA uses. My llmd says their tests aren't reliable. Does anyone know if Ingenex takes insurance and if MDL isn't reliable why does South Eastern PA Lyme Assoc. refer you to them in the back of their booklet?
-------------------- A little lymie... Posts: 104 | From Greener Pastures in PA | Registered: Sep 2011
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posted
I, last month, had MDL labs done by my PCP and they came back negative.
MDL's "fine print" states: "Bands presented must have an intensity of 90% greater or equal to the cut off control band."
I had quite a few bands that were dark to very dark, but did not hit their "requirement".
In reviewing my explanation of benefits these tests cost my insurance company approx. $650.00.
IMO a waste of money, but that's just my opinion.
I also then had Igenex tests done by my new LLMD and they were positive.
I paid $596.00 out of pocket for Igenex. (Bart and Bab's FISH, plus Western Blot's)
I will know more tomorrow after my first visit with him.
My personal opinion is that my current PCP may not have a clue in how to correctly interpret an Igenex test....but that may be why he ordered MDL... just my experience.
But I am curious too... why do these doctors bother using MDL labs?
My new LLMD said they weren't reliable either.
Posts: 396 | From EAPennsylvania | Registered: Dec 2007
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I've never seen MDL results. Post every detail of your MDL results.
Also post your IGeneX results. Band #, IND, +, ++, +++, ++++. Most of the bands will be - so you can ignore them.
Posts: 426 | From Berkeley, CA | Registered: Feb 2009
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posted
MDL is horrible. Might as well use Quest or LabCorp, then. I have never been positive by MDL, but always positive on Igenex, and had a positive flow cytometry test, which detects the actual bacteria, so which lab would I go with? Igenex for sure!
Also, MDL always says I have no bands present, yet, I had the vaccine, which should show 31 as positive. More proof that they suck.
Posts: 418 | From NJ | Registered: Sep 2007
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The MDL test results are not in format like Igenex...
It has an actual picture of the bands with the numbers.
My bands which were quite dark (but did not hit "their 90%" were
MDL: IgG: 45, 41, 39,28, 23
IgM: 45,41,39,28,23,18
My Igenex Test (which I just got a copy of today)
IgM = Negative
IgG 31 kDa IND 39 kDa IND 41 kDa ++ 58 kDa +
Hopefully I have conveyed these correctly.
(I might add this Igenex test has been done after I have been on combination abx for 4 years...
but only at bacteriostatic levels for Lyme as I was treating for CPN... (was told I didn't have Lyme 4 yrs ago)
I also had bio-energenic testing done which indicated I have high levels of Babesia Nosodes, Bartonella Henselae, Mycoplasma Fermentens and high candida albicans.
quote:Originally posted by amk33: Also, MDL always says I have no bands present, yet, I had the vaccine, which should show 31 as positive. More proof that they suck.
- I don't think they even test for band 31 .. same with Quest and LabCorp.
the basic Igenex test is around $200 .. Test #188 and 189
posted
Lymetoo, Fourwinds, I didn't know MDL didn't include those bands. That explains it! So, they are just like LabCorp and Quest, afterall. Strange, cuz the llmd that I used to see, used MDL primarily. I had to request Igenex. And, she's a very prominent Llmd!
I'm seeing a doctor now who is learning about lyme (and takes my insurance). She also uses MDL. I'm going to have to enlighten her! Thanks. Posts: 418 | From NJ | Registered: Sep 2007
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susank
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 22150
posted
I find it interesting that MDL provides a picture of band reactions. Igenex does not. I think they should.
-------------------- Pos.Bb culture 2012 Labcorp - no bands ever Igenex - Neg. 4 times With overall bands: IGM 18,28,41,66 IND: 23-25,34,39 IGG 41,58 IND: 39 Bart H IGG 40 Posts: 1613 | From Texas | Registered: Aug 2009
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The MDL test results are not in format like Igenex...
It has an actual picture of the bands with the numbers.
My bands which were quite dark (but did not hit "their 90%" were
MDL: IgG: 45, 41, 39,28, 23
IgM: 45,41,39,28,23,18
My Igenex Test (which I just got a copy of today)
IgM = Negative
IgG 31 kDa IND 39 kDa IND 41 kDa ++ 58 kDa +
Hopefully I have conveyed these correctly.
I also had bio-energenic testing done which indicated I have high levels of Babesia Nosodes, Bartonella Henselae, Mycoplasma Fermentens and high candida albicans.
Thank you.
To possibly turn your IGeneX IgG indeterminate into an IGeneX positive, have IGeneX run test #489 31 kDa Epitope Test IgG $108. If it is positive then IgG 31 kDa IND is lyme.
Does the "their 90%" apply to all bands? Do they list values for each band? Any? All?
Are their band markers at 31, 34, 58, 60, 66 etc? Do you see weak bands at any of them?
Wish I could see the report.
Posts: 426 | From Berkeley, CA | Registered: Feb 2009
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quote:Originally posted by Lymetoo: Do you consider it to be a strong indication of Lyme and/or Lyme specific?
IGeneX considers it specific. I have only seen one report of a false positive on 83-93.
I did a BLASTP search for cross reactions last year but have forgotten the results and can't find them.
It only shows up at low levels in Normal Controls just behind 39.
EDIT: I found another source. It does cross react. With syph, flu, RA, SLE whatever that is, but only 3 of 291 normal controls.
[ 10-27-2011, 09:35 PM: Message edited by: ChuckG ]
Posts: 426 | From Berkeley, CA | Registered: Feb 2009
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WPinVA
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33581
posted
I think some LLMDs use MDL because insurance will pay. Same with Q and LC.
----
Yup, that's what mine did. She said that if we can get a positive with LC then no need to pay for Igenex. And Igenex is always a second option.
Posts: 1737 | From Virginia | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
Susank, MDL sent back the bands with a picture of how stong the indicators are on it. My idicators were high. They still post on their report that if its under 5 bands you are not positive for lyme.
I can't post that chart in here though. Hard enough figuring out how to chat!
-------------------- A little lymie... Posts: 104 | From Greener Pastures in PA | Registered: Sep 2011
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