LymeNet Flash: Steroids mask Western Blot

LymeNet on Facebook

LymeNet on Twitter

Follow @LymeDiseaseNet

The Lyme Disease Network receives a commission from Amazon.com for each purchase originating from this site.

When purchasing from Amazon.com, please
click here first.

Thank you.

Dedicated to the Bachmann Family

LymeNet needs your help:
LymeNet 2020 fund drive

The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations.

»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » Steroids mask Western Blot

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: Steroids mask Western Blot

spitz
Member
Member # 7023

posted

Quick question, I am about to take the Igenex Western Blot IgG/IgM. (Thanks Robi).
I was on a heavy dose of Prednisone 60mg per day for about two months and got off it in mid Feb. I have read in other places that it is hard to get a correct reading on the Western Blot if you were on Steroids because the Steroids kill off the antibodies.

Is this true? If so how long should I wait to have an accurate test? or is an accurate test ever possible?

Thanks,
Spitz

Posts: 24 | From virginia beach va 23452 | Registered: Mar 2005 | IP: Logged |

Lymetoo
Moderator
Member # 743

posted

Hmmm, I'm not sure if this means it may never show positive or not. Steroids suppress the immune system and if your immune system can't register a response, then the test might be flawed.

However, even if you have Lyme-specific bands [even one or two], then only Lyme can cause that to happen.

I had taken 2 months of steroids many years ago and my WB was not CDC positive. I had an intelligent dr who dxd me clinically, and that was all I needed.

Read this on the Western Blot. It will explain alot. Hey, it rhymed! And I've been Lymed!

Western Blot explanation: http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/Forum1/HTML/022767.html

------------------
oops!
Lymetutu

[This message has been edited by Lymetoo (edited 27 March 2005).]

Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged |

spitz
Member
Member # 7023

posted

lymetoo, thanks for your post, I just finished talking to a llmd and he told me after two months I should be producing enough antibodies to register on the Western Blot Test.

Spitz

Posts: 24 | From virginia beach va 23452 | Registered: Mar 2005 | IP: Logged |

robi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5547

posted

Good thinkng Spitz...........Glad you called an LLMD to figure out the next step.

Did you atually get a doc to come to hte phone and talk to you? Wow, your good.

robi

Posts: 2503 | From here | Registered: Apr 2004 | IP: Logged |

spitz
Member
Member # 7023

posted

Yes Robi, it was a doctor at Igenex, but I didn't want to add too much info on that just in case I was being politically incorrect.

Spitz

Posts: 24 | From virginia beach va 23452 | Registered: Mar 2005 | IP: Logged |

Printer-friendly view of this topic

The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:

The Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey
907 Pebble Creek Court, Pennington, NJ 08534 USA
http://www.lymenet.org/