posted
Hi there, just wanted to know how accurate MDL is a lab for lyme testing. I know it's FDA approved, so is it harder to get a + than at a privatized lab like Igenex?How many ppl tested + at MDL? I tested positive at MDL for my urine PCR but negative for my blood PCR and it's frustrating. But I know lyme is intracellular so it doesn't have to show up in the blood. Lastly, I would like to do some western blots to confirm my igenex ones in MDL for reference with the docs. ...What MDL in the States is the best? anyone know? I did mine in the new Jersey location. any other locations? any thoughts? thank you
livinlyme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3773
posted
Both of my kids had MDL run In NJ.. I dont know if they have any other labs in the USA.. then again I never looked...
as a comparative I can tell you this: if you run an Igenex you will most likely have more bands show.. I will explain. My youngest was found negative on Wb for Lyme but PCR positive with MDL..
my eldest was negative on both WB and PCR with MDL..
my eldest had an Igenex and it showed bands in both IGG and Igm where MDL did not show any.. thing is my eldest has first degree heart block.. which according to Dr J. he meets criteria to treat..
My husband on autopsy showed Lyme infection throughout his body. His heart was a concern all of his life. The DNA was foudn to be normal and hte only thing the pathologist could sumised as a cuase to the reoccurance of health concerns being passed from one parent to the child were infectious.
since the DNA was normal prompting him to run the test on his blod samples proving positive for Bb.. so if there is no real documents to connect Lyme being passed on to children in my opinion this is enough for me to believe otherwise...It really makes the Md's think twice about the connection and seriousness of this pathogen... Hope this helps..
-------------------- "Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it." Posts: 1389 | From who knows, who cares, but somewhere over the rainbow | Registered: Mar 2003
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bpeck
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3235
posted
Livin: Is the pathologist writing a paper on your husband's autopsy findings? I would think this would have to be a big wake up call for entire communities of conventional Dr.s ... So sorry for your loss. Barb
-------------------- Barb Peck (Elder LymeNet user). Lyme since 1975 Transfusion Posts: 1882 | From VT | Registered: Oct 2002
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posted
thank you for your response. deeply sorry for your loss. this illness trully is one nightmare and I too agree this should be a wake up call. healthy thoughts Lynn
Aniek
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5374
posted
Citrus,
I tested positive Elisa and WB through MDL. PCR testing is like searching for a needle in a haystack. I think I had 6 urine samples sent to MDL and all were negative.
-------------------- "When there is pain, there are no words." - Toni Morrison Posts: 4711 | From Washington, DC | Registered: Mar 2004
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lymeinhell
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4622
posted
I had blood drawn ON THE SAME DAY that was sent to both MDL and IgeneX. Negative on WB at MDL, CDC positive at IgeneX for the IgM.
A Stryker Panel run the same day showed I pretty much had no immune system left at that point, which would lead to negative tests(since I went untreated so long)... Along with symptomolgy, was enough to begin treatment.
-------------------- Julie _ _ ___ _ _ lymeinhell
Blessed are those who expect nothing, for they shall not be disappointed. Posts: 2258 | From a better place than I was 11 yrs ago | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
My daughter had 2 negatives and one positive PCR test out of MDL in NJ for Bartonella. It was explained to us that for a positive result the DNA of the organism MUST be in the sample of blood drawn. This can equate to having a few peas in a large swimming pool and to get a positive you must draw a sample of water with a pea in it. You can see how hard that could be.
We have heard before there is a 30% chance of getting a positive result if it is there. Has anyone else heard that? So it is a sure thing if you find it, but if the test is negative it does not mean it isn't there.
Posts: 55 | From USA | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
Very true Lyme doesn't really like the blood stream so when and if it is found by PCR in the blood it is positive. Nick Harris at Igenex claims the PCR to be 99.97% accurate for a positive result. I had a positive PCR and LUAT but a negative WB.
Problem for some like me is that it is difficult to find antibodies on a WB test if you have had untreated Lyme for so long (in a way your body and the organism have developed a symbiotic relationship). IMO this is when treatment becomes difficult basically your immune system has stopped fighting bb the only weapon left is abx.
Posts: 649 | From United States | Registered: Dec 2003
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posted
refused treatment today by doc in Toronto..said my very positive WB from Igenex are most liekly false and even my positive urine PCR at MDL is most likely false. I wanted to punch him. said he'd do me a favour by giving me high doses of amoxicillin, that they cure chronic lyme of 15 years and asked me to get of the zithromax and diflucan.amoxicillin will solve the problems. any thougts
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