Last year I had two negative tests - I took the ELISA and western blot (showing all bands) through quest labs.
I am still sick and I am reconsidering lyme as the cause of all of my health problems. I want to get tested at the most reputable/accurate lab this time.
And which test should I get?? Western Blot or PCR?? Or does Bowen have one specific test?
I saw Igenex has all sorts of different tests - some are whole blood, some are serum...I am confused and don't know what test to get and where.
Any advice would be much appreciated! Thanks.
Posts: 70 | From Quakertown, PA | Registered: Sep 2005
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Ann-OH
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 2020
posted
Here is the Bowen info on Lyme disease testing:
They used to have lots more information, but are redoing their website.
They have been doing this test for several years as a study, but it has never been published in a peer-reviewed journal and no other labs have reproduced the test. They are a not-for-profit organization, and your payment for the test is a donation.
I am not sure if they are testing for co-infections. You could probably call and find out.
If you click on "What test(s) to order" you will see all the kinds of tests they do, including ELISA, Western Blot, PCR and urine plus specific tests for coinfections.
I know they will be glad to talk to you if you call them as well.
Your first concern is to get to a doctor who knows about Lyme and other tick-borne diseases. If you go to the "Seeking a Doctor" section here, people will help you find a knowledgeable doc.
posted
Thank you. I guess I am still confused though as to which is more accurate. I have been told Bowen, but from the looks of the websites, IGENEX appears much more professional.
I just want to get this done right this time around. I know of several LLMD's in my area. The problem is getting an appt anytime in the near future.
That is why I wanted to get the bloodwork done in the mean time if at all possible. I have an appt w/ my family practitioner who generally will order any test I ask for even if he does think I am crazy.
I was thinking of asking him to order the tests for me and wanted to know which lab I should choose???
Posts: 70 | From Quakertown, PA | Registered: Sep 2005
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david1097
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3662
posted
Go with Igenex. PM me if you want to discuss
Posts: 1184 | From north america | Registered: Feb 2003
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
Crazy, I recommend Igenex too.
If you want an example, see my post in medical, "4-20-06 new LLMD summary & LAB reports updated".
Crazy, my llmd had 12-18 different body lab tests done on me. I have shown EACH LABS results plus which lab/state, I was tested for what in.
Igenex did 4 things there.
MDLabs did the rest. Very thorough.
Igenex & MDlabs are very expensive; I'll post the exact charges later today; just got paid medicare statements yesterday about this!
Bowen did nothing. 1 yr. ago I had Bowen test for co-infections & found NONE but I had lyme. I wasn't please with NO report but a brief letter thanking me for the $250 donation required be sent for them to test my blood.
Are you on MEDICARE as for IGX & MDL, medicare pays everything; thank you God!
I hope this helps you out by reading what my actual reports said! That's why I took many hours typing them up for other newbies to benefit from them.
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do we need a doctor to get the test performed?? I did call last week to get the kit sent to me but then told them i would call back later because i wasn't quite sure which test to get.
there are soooo many of them! i guess i will start with the standard and go from there.
i do know of two different llmd's that were recommended to me. one is the guy in phillipsburg, nj who is supposed to be excellent, and the other is in abington hospital here in pa in the infectious disease center. i just know it can take forever to get appt with these docs so i wanted to get the tests rolling.
i have a regular doc appt this wednesday and i know my doctor will help me out to get the tests if needed, but i want to see an llmd to interpret and go from there.
does anyone know if i need a doc first? or can i do this on my own??
Posts: 70 | From Quakertown, PA | Registered: Sep 2005
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posted
Yes, you do need a doctor to prescribe the test. If you ordered the test kit from Igenex, you will see that there is a page the doctor's office needs to fill out. They also need to fill in a diagnosis code. The doctor's address, phone and fax number are requested. This is so Igenex knows where to send the test results which usually take around 10 days. With Igenex, you have to pay for the test up front with a check or credit card. After they receive the blood and payment, they send you a receipt or invoice to submit the claim yourself to the insurance company. Keep in mind your reimbursement, if any, may not cover what you have to pay for Igenex tests. Many of us receive minimal if any reimbursement. For example, the basic IGG/IGM Western Blot costs $190. I recieved around $42 reimbursement. The same holds true for co-infection testing. The panel my son had cost around $500, reimbursement was around $140.
Once you have the Igenex form filled out, you can take it to whatever lab you go to for blood testing. If you have insurance, they will bill your insurance co. for the venipuncture as there is a charge for this. Some labs make you take it to FedEx yourself, others have daily courier service and will see that your FedEx package gets to FedEx. You also may go to a PCP that has a lab tech on duty who draws blood there and they may be able to draw it for you.
Posts: 23 | From Camp Hill. PA | Registered: Dec 2005
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i guess i could call them first to find out. i am so sick of spending money on my health.
i have spent so much money this past year and still have no answers. it is sickening.
Posts: 70 | From Quakertown, PA | Registered: Sep 2005
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
Welcome 3 limes to the board.
Breaking this up by hitting enter often and double spacing between each paragraph for us neuro lymies to read/comprehend.
Please do this in the future ok 3 limes! Thanks
quote:Originally posted by 3 limes:
Yes, you do need a doctor to prescribe the test.
If you ordered the test kit from Igenex, you will see that there is a page the doctor's office needs to fill out.
They also need to fill in a diagnosis code. The doctor's address, phone and fax number are requested.
(from Betty, write on their you want results FAXED to your MD, and snail mail paper copy. My results were lost/misplaced 4.5 weeks!)
This is so Igenex knows where to send the test results which usually take around 10 days.
With Igenex, you have to pay for the test up front with a check or credit card .
After they receive the blood and payment, they send you a receipt or invoice to submit the claim yourself to the insurance company.
Keep in mind your reimbursement, if any, may not cover what you have to pay for Igenex tests. Many of us receive minimal if any reimbursement.
For example, the basic IGG/IGM Western Blot costs $190. I recieved around $42 reimbursement. The same holds true for co-infection testing. The panel my son had cost around $500, reimbursement was around $140.
Once you have the Igenex form filled out, you can take it to whatever lab you go to for blood testing. If you have insurance, they will bill your insurance co. for the venipuncture as there is a charge for this.
Some labs make you take it to FedEx yourself, others have daily courier service and will see that your FedEx package gets to FedEx.
You also may go to a PCP that has a lab tech on duty who draws blood there and they may be able to draw it for you.
Ok, I just got my PAID MEDICARE payment sheets from BCBS insurance company .
IGENEX charges totaled $ 905.00 for the tests I showed in my 4-20-06 new LLMD summary & lab reports updated ...
MD LABS charges totaled $ 1390.00 for 1st part; $ 1100.00 for 2nd part;
SPRECTRA CELL LAB totaled 565.50;
Showing you how costly these labs are...
neither they nor BCBS Would pay $51.14; have no idea what since only $$ show; no details.
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