posted
Hi all, I know a bunch of people who need thorough, sensitive IgG plus IgM Lyme Western blots, who have little money to spare, and are doubtful they really need it because their PCP says they probably don't have Lyme - you know, the usual.
I think Igenex's $400 is a little too steep for them but they might do it if it were cheaper.
Has anybody checked to see what's the least expensive, but good, western blots available? I was glad to pay for the Igenex quality, but then I can afford it without missing the rent.
Thanks, Lorima
Posts: 74 | From MA | Registered: May 2007
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Igenex consistently scores higher than other labs because (a) they use more than one strain of Bb in their tests; and (b) they test ALL bands, including the 31 and 34 bands which other labs omit. Those bands are extremely specific to lyme, so specific the vaccine LymeRix was made from them, and the presence of reactivity on those bands can be indicative of later-stage lyme.
Something you would never know with other, cheaper labs. In fact, you could get a big fat "negative" with a lesser lab, though you might be screamin' positive on those late-stage bands.
Since lyme is such an iffy diagnosis as best, I'd try and scare up the money somehow. A positive test is worth its weight in gold, especially to doubting insurance companies and ducks.
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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