Topic: Western Blot- what does it test for? only lyme?
LisaK
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
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posted
I don't know why I cannotfind this straight answer easily on line, but can someone please tell me?
Is it only for lyme?
sorry for such a dumb question!
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3558 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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posted
It's a good question that I did not know the answer to.
I found this at labtestonline.org :
Western blot
This is an immunoassay test method that detects specific proteins in blood or tissue. It combines an electrophoresis step with a step that transfers (blots) the separated proteins onto a membrane.
Western blot is often used as a follow-up test to confirm the presence of an antibody and to help diagnose a condition.
Examples of its use include confirmatory HIV and Lyme disease testing.
To perform a western blot test, a sample containing the protein is applied to a spot along one end of a layer of gel. Multiple samples and a control may be placed side by side along one end of the gel in separate "lanes." An electrical current causes the proteins in the sample(s) to move across the gel, separating the proteins by size and shape and forming bands that resemble the steps of a ladder.
These sample and control ladders are then "blotted" (transferred) onto a thin membrane that is put in contact with the gel. Labelled or tagged antibodies are then used in a one or two step process to detect the proteins bound to the membrane.
For example, to confirm HIV or Lyme antibody tests, the proteins separated are those of the causative organism. A patient’s sample is then added to the blot and any antibodies to the organism are bound and later detected by labeled antibodies to human immunoglobulins.
The presence of the certain proteins is interpreted by comparison with known negative or positive control samples in the other lanes.
Posts: 448 | From minnesota | Registered: Feb 2010
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-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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LisaK
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Member # 41384
posted
"Old Lyme is a town in Connecticut, not a disease. Borreliosis is the name that should be used"
that is so right!
lymtoo , that is some headfull of info to get through! I will try. I only could get so far today, but is it saying that it looks for other tick diseases? or only Bb as far as ticks are concerened?
and so the dr has to order it for Bb or HIV or whatever? it doesn't just do all? I am so dumb today. ugh.........
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3558 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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TF
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Member # 14183
posted
If all you are interested in is tick-borne diseases, then the Western Blot is used for lyme only.
You have to order other tests for the other tick-borne diseases.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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LisaK
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posted
how the heck do you get a dr to order anytihnng.?/
I guess if I had a real LLMD it wouldn't be an issue.
even though I go to a dr that does alternative testing and finds stuff that way, for some reason I still want that blood work. is that crazy??
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3558 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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posted
If you know you have lyme, there is NO reason to get another test. NO reason at all.
You can always order the free test kit from Igenex and then take it to your Dr... when he signs the form then you can get the bloodwork done and send in the money with it. It will cost around $250.
posted
I went to my GP yesterday with the form from Igenex and he would not sign it. He instead is sending me to an Infectious Disease Doctor. I wonder if I will have a hard time getting the Infectious Disease Doctor to sign the form also?
Posts: 142 | From Midwest | Registered: Sep 2015
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LisaK
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I just thought to test for other stuff.
I had so many things before and I am a bit paranoid I will get them again. and for my husband and kids. they seem to have sx again too but they are refusing to go to a dr. they are so tired of hearing about ticks.
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3558 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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LisaK
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posted
onebeed, I would bet $100 that the ID dr will scoff at that form.
they would here at my network for sure. they won't even see you unless you have a pos. elisa! sigh
my advice is to find another dr. and FAST
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3558 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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posted
LisaK and Lymetoo, I'm pretty sure if I do have Lyme disease that I've had it for over 10 years, when the symptoms started. It's probably not going to show in an ELISA. The nearest LLMD to me is 2 hours away and has a 6 month waiting list. I have heart and neurological symptoms now and I'm not sure what to do at this point. I just want a proper test done to find out if have it or not and go from there. Do you have any suggestions? Should I just let them send me to LabCorp or Quest? I am in so much pain now and at a loss for what to do.
Posts: 142 | From Midwest | Registered: Sep 2015
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TF
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Member # 14183
posted
Would it be possible for you to fly to Washington, D.C.? If so, there is a good lyme doctor near there that can see you in a few days.
Let me know if you want the name.
He will test you for lyme and all of the coinfections. You will get your results in a few weeks.
After that first in-person appointment, he will do phone or Skype appointments with you, so you will only have to fly to him maybe twice in a year.
If you can possibly afford it, you can have your answer in no time this way. And, if it isn't lyme, he will figure out what it is and treat you.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
Yes, for sure, can you PM me the name? I just called the LLMD for my area and got an appointment for June 2016. That was their earliest appointment. They didn't have a cancellation list they could put me on. I am very sorry I didn't mean to hijack this thread.
Posts: 142 | From Midwest | Registered: Sep 2015
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posted
Lymetoo, I can try another doctor I suppose. I got such a bad reaction from my GP I'm afraid another GP will look at me like I'm nuts too.
Posts: 142 | From Midwest | Registered: Sep 2015
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TF
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Member # 14183
posted
onebeed, I sent you the name.
I personally would not try to get Igenex testing from another doctor. You will most likely encounter the same reaction as your GP.
This is how lyme patients are treated until they get to a doctor who specializes in lyme disease. With a lyme specialist, Igenex is respected and you will be treated with dignity.
We all got treated like mental cases until we got to a lyme specialist. It is horrible.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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LisaK
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posted
TF, please PM me that name also!!!
onebeed, I am in the same boat but not for me so much- for my son. He seems so unright, and the best/closest dr can see him only near end of November and I dopn't really want to wait that long. who knows what is brewing in there!
if that DC dr can see him sooner maybe that would be better.
TF, does he take any insurance? my kid has medicaid. this is always an issue.
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3558 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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LisaK
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Member # 41384
posted
onebeed, I have had lyme for at least 18 years now and I have never had a positive elisa.
haha, lymetoo, I don't have $500 so that is why my bet was so modest. just in case of that .0000001% I may be wrong.
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3558 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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TF
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Member # 14183
posted
LisaK, the doctor I recommend does not take insurance. Do you still want the name for your son?
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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LisaK
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posted
yes, because none seem to take insurance anyway. I found one dr N that is good I hear, and he is only $125 for 1st visit. that's pretty good I think
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3558 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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LisaK
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posted
the big problem with son giong to dr is going to be this:
getting him to go.
he does not want anything to do with tick diseases. he is in total denial and doesn't care he says.
he has impetigo for about 2 months now an dnothing is helping. I can't find anytihng about it on line as for when it is persistent. I vaguely remember reading a while ago about it relating to tick disease, but I can't remember. and maybe I am totally wrong. i don't know
-------------------- Be thankful in all things- even difficult times and sickness and trials - because there is something GOOD to be seen Posts: 3558 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2013
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TF
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posted
This one costs $590 for first appointment.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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susank
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Member # 22150
posted
Did anyone mention that you can probably order basic Lyme tests yourself online? I have used Privatemdlab - not sure if they are still in business - need to check. They were always great. I have heard of Request A Test. Order online - go to lab - results emailed to you.
No insurance accepted but generally the prices are reasonable.
I think these online folks use Labcorp and Quest. That would be where you would go for the blood draws and where the blood tested obviously.
-------------------- 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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