posted
which lab is more realiable for western blot testing for lyme, labcorp or quest in the northeast?
Posts: 45 | From ny | Registered: Aug 2006
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
I'd give BOTH of them a pass, in favor of IGeneX.
It tests for more strains.
Also, both the labs mentioned completely omit the 31 and 34 bands from their blot. These bands are highly specific to lyme and particularly for someone who's had it for a while.
Their "reason" for omitting the bands: "You might have taken the LymeRix vaccine (made from those antibodies) and thus test falsely positive."
Clearly this is silly, since they could just ASK if you've had the vaccine.
For an interesting discussion of the truly horrific state of testing among other labs (as in, about half of them couldn't find lyme in TOTALLY lymed people), take a gander at "Dr C's explanation of western blot" -- a sticky on the top of the forum. When you see the woeful state of some labs' testing, you will want to use IGeneX.
Good luck!!
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
thanks everyone. how can i do that when this doctor just wrote a prescription for western blot testing and i am in ny? is there anyway with just a prescription i can get it mailed to igenex in california? this is not a LLMd. he just gave me a rx for testing.
Posts: 45 | From ny | Registered: Aug 2006
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Hi Blackcat!
Do this:
Call up IgeneX (see website by same name).
Tell them you'd like tests 188 and 189 for western blot IgG and IgM mailed to you. They'll send you a kit. (They even include a stamped FedEx return envelope.)
Then say to your doc, "Look doc, I want to get the best possible western blot as long as I'm getting one. So I'd like to use this highly recommended lab which looks at ALL the bands. Can you sign off on this?" (He needs to sign off on the form which IGeneX will send you.)
If he balks, ask him to "humor" you. :-)
You'll have to pay up front (about $190 for both tests), then submit the receipts to your insurance.
Good luck!!
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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posted
thanks all for your help! i will do that.
Posts: 45 | From ny | Registered: Aug 2006
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Michelle M
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7200
posted
Should have added -- when you get the test kit (plus doctor's signature), take it to any local lab and have them do the draw for you.
Some are reluctant as they're only contracted to do lyme tests for CERTAIN labs and not others.
An important thing: schedule your draw for a Monday or Tuesday; you want the sample to reach IGeneX before the weekend so they can store it properly, rather than it sitting in a FedEx storeroom somewhere for the weekend!!
Oh, and one other thing:
(Then I swear I'll quit!)
On your western blot, do not dismiss the test simply if it reads "negative."
You could have significant, meaningful bands that are specific to lyme ONLY, and still read "negative."
Most non-LLMDs do not know this, and look no further than the "positive" or "negative" result.
Insist upon a copy of your test results and post your bands here.
While lyme is a "clinical" diagnosis, meaning NOT reliant on tests, reactivity on certain bands of the western blot, combined with symptoms, can mean you most likely have lyme, whether the test reads 'positive' or not. Read up on the western blot explanation pinned to the top of the forum.
OK, over and out!! Keep us posted!
Michelle
Posts: 3193 | From Northern California | Registered: Apr 2005
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
Michelle, outstanding advise!!
a little more brief info on Igenex...
dr. must sign, date, and put a DIAGNOSIS code if you want to be reimbursed!
ASK HIM NOT TO SHOW LYME DIAGNOSIS BUT ONE OR MORE OF THESE:
IMPORTANT INFORMATON
If Lyme Disease is written in a patient's medical file as the "diagnostic code",
The Lyme Disease Network is a non-profit organization funded by individual donations. If you would like to support the Network and the LymeNet system of Web services, please send your donations to:
The
Lyme Disease Network of New Jersey 907 Pebble Creek Court,
Pennington,
NJ08534USA http://www.lymenet.org/
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