posted
I need to know what bllod tests I should have to test for Lyme. My PC Dr. is very willing to do the blood tests but I need to know which one I should have him request. I think I remember reading here somehwere that the Western Blot doesn't include a couple of bands ( 31 & 34 ?) which are the best ones for determining Lyme so I need to know exactly what tests I should ask for and what they are called (how they should be written up). I also need to know if the CD57+NK should be done. I checked with LabCorp. here and the girl didn't know how to add the extra bands (31 & 34) to the normal tests (Elisa & Western Blot). I'm sure someone out there must know what I should have my Dr. request. He will write the script for my bloodwork as soon as I give him the info. Any help will be great! Thanks, Dava
Posts: 17 | From NY | Registered: Nov 2006
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robi
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 5547
posted
many folks here use igenex for the wesyern blot www.igenex.com
-------------------- Now, since I put reality on the back burner, my days are jam-packed and fun-filled. ..........lily tomlin as 'trudy' Posts: 2503 | From here | Registered: Apr 2004
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posted
I am hoping to get some info as to what tests I should request for Lab Corp. as that is where my Dr. wants me to go. I have never had any bloodwork done there (mine always went to differnet lab)so we are hoping to see if their results will be any different. Plus if there are any other tests that would be more specific we would do those also. I don't know anything about igenex or how I would go about even getting blood work done by them. Thanks, Dava
Posts: 17 | From NY | Registered: Nov 2006
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posted
I am hoping to get some info as to what tests I should request for Lab Corp. as that is where my Dr. wants me to go. I have never had any bloodwork done there (mine always went to differnet lab)so we are hoping to see if their results will be any different. Plus if there are any other tests that would be more specific we would do those also. I don't know anything about igenex or how I would go about even getting blood work done by them. Thanks, Dava
Posts: 17 | From NY | Registered: Nov 2006
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Dava, it's probably fine to let Labcorp do your other tests but you must NOT let them do your western blot.
They will NOT add those bands in.
They are forbidden by their contracts to do so!
In other words, you could be triple positive on those bands, which are ultra-specific to lyme, and Labcorp would cheerfully report you as "negative," because they don't test them.
You MUST use IGeneX.
You have to pay them up front (or they accept Medi-Cal). Then submit to your insurance. Ask for tests 188 and 189, the western blot IgG and IgM. They'll mail you the test kit.
Yes, it's all a big pain in the rear when it sounds much easier to just walk down to your local lab. But it's really important to get a clear picture of the status of your infection, if any.
There have been lots of threads on here lately where doctors have been trying to convince their patients that IGeneX is not a good lab. Those are false and foolish, usually spouted by doctors who don't actually know beans about IGeneX and wouldn't bother finding out. Have you read those threads?
Please take the time to go to their website and order the western blot - it's really not hard and it's such a high quality test, tending to differ radically from LabCorp or Quest results in ways that may surprise you.
Good luck. Keep reading!
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
Thanks for the info. I did go to my lab and they were great. I was there for almost 2 hours (in the office with them) while they tried getting info on adding the tests for the bands 31 & 34 but they couldn't, but at least they give it a real try. They did draw blood for the Elisa and Western Blot along with the CD57 panel. They also agreed with me that testing isn't really that accurate. My PC Dr. is familiar with Igenx lab and didn't have anything bad to say about them, in fact he has had bloodwork done there for his daughter who has a rare auto immune disorder. I must say I was really surprised at my PC Dr. today. I had dropped off alot of info last week that I got from this web site concerning Lyme and he agrees with alot of it and says not alot is even known about lyme. He also gave me a script for doxy so I can get started on that. I did call Igenx and talked to Dr. Harris who told me to call and request the test kit #6050 to start and if it comes back positive he will then do #5090. I guess that's my next step. I still have an ap't. on Monday with a neurologist that my PC set up. Even my PC said the neuro will probably pooh-hoo me (his words not mine) but he wanted me to go anyway. I have to go back to my PC on Tuesday so I will let him know about the Igenx deal then.I feel lucky that he is willing to work with me. Thanks again for the info, Dava
Posts: 17 | From NY | Registered: Nov 2006
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Dava, that's splendid news that your PCP is at least willing to hear and has knowledge of IGeneX! Hurray that he has personal experience with them.
Nick Harris at IGeneX is really nice and will take calls from patients and doctors equally, unlike at other labs, to discuss what tests might be helpful.
Be aware that once you're on Doxycycline, (a) you may start feeling MUCH worse before feeling better, and (b) it will really skew your test results from IGeneX if you do go ahead with that. I think they want you clear of abx for a couple weeks before testing for the most accurate results.
Don't let the neuro start stabbing and sticking you until you have at least good test results in hand; you can make a better decision then about what further diagnostic workup you need.
Best of luck, and do keep us posted!
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
I think most here would agree that it is a waste of time and money to have your WB done at lab corp.
It's nice that your PC is willing to work with you but if you really want to know if you have lyme, you should see an LLMD (lyme literate medical doctor). Lyme is a clinical diagnosis and you need someone who is experienced enough to make that call. A negative WB does not necessarily mean that you don't have lyme.
You also need testing for co-infections. Sometimes a person may have a positive co-infection test but not a positive lyme test. If that happens, you probably have lyme but you also need treated for co-infections. Co-infection diagnosis is another area that requires clinical expertise.
It is your health. I would not fool around. I urge you to go to the seeking doctor section of this website and ask for referrals. Someone who is a member of ILADS is really what you need. Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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