LymeNet Flash: Which lab is best for testing for Lyme and coinfections?

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Which lab is best for testing for Lyme and coinfections?

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Topic: Which lab is best for testing for Lyme and coinfections?

Reibersc
Member
Member # 5752

posted

My Western Blot done at Quest Labs came back negative. My doctor is not Lyme literate and has made alternate diagnoses, (depression for the fatigue and brain fog and polymyalgia rheumatica for the neck and shoulder pains), relying heavily on the negative results. I got a lot of great referrals to LLMDS from a previous post. I thought I could probably speed up the process of testing if I just asked my doctor to do a more comprehensive test.

My questions are 1. Which Lab should I use to do the comprehensive Lyme testing and possible coinfections?

2. How do I go about getting the blood to the lab.

I need details so I can instruct my doctor. I have a great rapport with him and I know he will do whatever I ask him to do.

Posts: 23 | From Philadelphia, PA, USA | Registered: Jun 2004 | IP: Logged |

breathwork
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 567

posted

Igenex Labs in Palo Alto, California...
www.igenex.com

You can download and print out all the information you need including the forms required to order the tests and requirements for blood drawing and shipping.
It's all there.

Diagnosis of lyme is a clinical diagnosis as defined by the CDC. Positive blood work is NOT the defining diagnositc tool for lyme, the CDC says so...

Posts: 1062 | From CA USA | Registered: Jan 2001 | IP: Logged |

Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374

posted

Your question about which lab is subjective. I know Igenex is talked about a lot on this lab, but there are also some LLMD's who won't use Igenex because they believe there are too many positives.

In any case, this is too important to do on your own. You need a doctor who knows how to work with Lyme. Lyme can be diagnosed clinically, without a positive test.

I understand having a great rapport with a doctor. But you go to a doctor because your doctor should be knowledgable and able to guide you in your treatment. If you broke your foot, would you still go to this doctor, or would you go to an orthopoedic specialist?

Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged |

Curley911
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 2205

posted

Have your Doctor call the Bowen Research lab . . . they will speak with him, explain their test and send him the necessary equipment to express mail the blood back CHILLED. I think if other labs would preserve the blood as well as this they would have a higher effeciency rate.
www.bowen.org

Posts: 982 | From Florida | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged |

Curley911
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 2205

posted

http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/025503.html

Try this link, it will help give you insight into the Bowen test. I'll bring it to the top for you.

Posts: 982 | From Florida | Registered: Feb 2002 | IP: Logged |

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