posted
Got my Lyme test back from Quest today, says it equivocal, test shows 0.97 which is high. Equivocal range is 0.90-1.09. positive is greater than 1.10.
Since it was equivocal, quest labs did a western blot which came back negative. so of course my doc says that mean i don't have Lyme. why am i not surprised.
The test was done on 7/26/07. I originally found the embedded tick on 6/14/07. didn't start abx until 6/27/07 when i began to feel ill and started getting all the symptoms of Lyme.
So basically the doc said finish taking my doxy next week and I should be fine.
Any opinions out there?
-------------------- Just looking for answers. i appreciate all the help everyone on the board have provided Posts: 34 | From Missouri | Registered: Jul 2007
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Beverly
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 1271
posted
Hi Roger,
Did Quest do an Elisa? That test is very inaccurate... might as well flip a coin. The better test is the WB, but it needs to be done at IGeneX, they test more of the lyme specific bands.
You need to be on the abx until your symptoms are gone, and then tested for possible co-infections.
If your current will not treat you until symptoms are gone, then get to a LLMD. I have not read any of your previous posts, so I don't know if you have already made plans to see LLMD?
Because you caught the tick bite and symptoms so early, do not let a doctor tell you it will be fine, get treated properly and you will not end up chronic.
Hopefully this helps some, good luck to you.
Posts: 6641 | From Michigan | Registered: Jun 2001
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They did a western blot, and all bands came back negative.
-------------------- Just looking for answers. i appreciate all the help everyone on the board have provided Posts: 34 | From Missouri | Registered: Jul 2007
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tailz
Unregistered
posted
Roger, don't believe them! Make an appointment now with an LLMD, because it takes a while to get in.
Also, one LLMD told me 'everybody has bart'. A good many of us here also have coinfections.
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I've had bad experiences with Quest labs. I don't believe their tests are very sensitive at all.
I had two positive ELISA's with them and two negative WB's.
I also had a negative Bartonella test by them.
I THANK GOD I took the advice of others on here to see an LLMD and undergo Igenex testing in spite of these negative results.
I tested a strong positive for Bartonella and had 4 positive bands (as well as 4 indeterminate) on the WB for Lyme. I am now doing treatment for both.
Please do whatever possible to get an Igenex test! They specialize in tick-borne diseases and have much more developed ways of detecting all of the different bacterial strains than Quest.
Also remember that Lyme is a clinical diagnosis. Many people here are being treated in spite of negative Igenex tests with encouraging results. Posts: 390 | From Oakland, CA | Registered: May 2007
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
I guess I am lucky that Quest actually "found" a reactive band for Lyme (IgM 23).
However, that is all they found.
I didn't know any better...
False positive Elisa's are a rarity.
I had my husband and children all tested via Igenex.
I didn't find this board until I had already been tested.
My LLMD didn't see a need to do Igenex testing on me based on that one band
And a slew of symptoms (54 out of 75).
Please find a LLMD and get treated....
Are you currently on any antibiotics for that tick bite?
Time is of the essence here.
Maybe you could talk your GP into at least 28 days of doxy (300mg or greater)
Until you see a LLMD.
Igenex also recommends a 28 day cycle of antibiotics with ten days off
Prior to testing. It "primes" your immune system into posting a response.
Best opportunity to get positive bands.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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David95928
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3521
posted
Am I missing something? I thought that tests need to be at least thirty days after the bite to allow measurable immune response to occur.
-------------------- Dave Posts: 2034 | From CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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My test was done more than 30 days after my bite. I was bitten 6/14/07, started amoxicillin on 6/27/07 for 3 weeks. now i am on doxy for two more weeks.
Thanks for all the posts. I am actually feeling pretty decent today.
Roger
-------------------- Just looking for answers. i appreciate all the help everyone on the board have provided Posts: 34 | From Missouri | Registered: Jul 2007
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quote:Originally posted by Beverly: If your current will not treat you until symptoms are gone, then get to a LLMD.
You will be very sorry if you do not continue treatment at this time. Quest sucks. Plain and simple.
Dr. Bransfield's Reason's for Seronegativity the reasons why you can test negative and still have Lyme disease.
1. Recent infection before immune response 2. Antibodies are in immune complexes 3. Spirochete encapsulated by host tissue (i.e.: lymphocytic cell walls) 4. Spirochete is deep in host tissue (i.e.: fibroblasts, neurons, etc.) 5. Blebs in body fluid, no whole organisms needed for PCR 6. No spirochetes in body fluid on day of test 7. Genetic heterogeneity (300 strains, 100 in U.S.) 8. Antigenic variability 9. Surface antigens change with temperature 10. Utilization of host protease instead of microbial protease 11. Spirochete in dormancy phase (L-form) with no cell walls 12. Recent antibiotic treatment 13. Recent anti-inflammatory treatment 14. Concomitant infection with babesia may cause immunosuppression 15. Other causes of immunosuppression 16. Lab with poor technical capability for Lyme disease 17. Lab tests not standardized for late stage disease 18. Lab tests labeled "for investigational use only" 19. CDC criteria is epidemiological not a diagnostic criteria 20. Lack of standardized control 21. Most controls use only a few strains as reference point 22. Few organisms are sometimes present 23. Encapsulated by glycoprotein "S-layer" which impairs immune recognition 24. "S"- layer binds to IgM 25. Immune deficiency 26. Possible down regulation of immune system by cytokines 27. Revised W.B. criteria fails to include most significant antigens
The last one is a BIG one when talking about a lab like Quest. They do not test for two VERY important Lyme-specific bands!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
I would get to an LLMD asap! From what I hear, Quest is not reliable. You caught this early enough that if you keep on it, you might have a chance of cure ... but if you wait, your best chance will be remission.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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AliG
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9734
posted
From my personal experience, a "negative" WB from quest had positive Bands it was negative for CDC reporting purposes, yes, but it had Bb specific positive bands.
I recommend you request a copy of your bloodwork from the doctor or ask if there were any positive or indeterminate bands. Most doctors are of the impression that CDC negative is negative for Bb. It appears that way when Quest reports it.
I also think maybe I can't count. Was it actually 6 weeks after bite that you were tested? I believe ind & symptomatic in endemic area is cause for a retest after I forget how many weeks.
Oh yeah, all tests are flawed and are only to confirm Dx. which should be based on symptoms, suspected bite & endemic area.
What about your results for Babesiosis, Erlichiosis, Anaplasmosis and Bartonella? All co-infections negative too? (I'm assuming they weren't done, since they weren't mentioned)
Get to an LLMD or be undertreated. I would try to get to someone who knows what they're doing before your Doxy runs out.
Just my opinion .
Also, if co-infected with Babesia, your immune system gets messed up & your WB probably won't be positive anyway until some time after you get rid of the Babesia.
-------------------- Note: I'm NOT a medical professional. The information I share is from my own personal research and experience. Please do not construe anything I share as medical advice, which should only be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. Posts: 4881 | From Middlesex County, NJ | Registered: Jul 2006
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