LymeNet Flash: What's the chances of a screening test being false positive?

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » Medical Questions » What's the chances of a screening test being false positive?

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Author

Topic: What's the chances of a screening test being false positive?

Jasmin
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 19959

posted

I liked the response by adamm in my test results thread found here: http://flash.lymenet.org/scripts/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/1/81116?#000000

quote:
Whoa--a positive ELISA!? I'd frame that baby!

But the thread about a LLMD thinking a positive WB was a false positive has me concerned...just a tad. [Wink]

What's the chances of a screening test showing HIGH titers, and being false...or detecting something else?

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Never doubt in darkness what the daylight proves to you.

Posts: 418 | From Utah | Registered: Apr 2009 | IP: Logged |

Keebler
Honored Contributor (25K+ posts)
Member # 12673

posted

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What is the link to the thread where you said a LLMD thought a positive ELISA was false?

Can we see that?

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Posts: 48021 | From Tree House | Registered: Jul 2007 | IP: Logged |

bwillis
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 18811

posted

Everyone has doubts. I think it is because we all really wish we didn't have this disease. If you have the symptoms and there are any indications through lab work, you have it. Sorry.

If you aren't comfortable with the tests, get your new Doctor to retest you through Igenex. They are more accurate than the lab your doctor used. I had an ELISA done at the UofU followed by a neg WB years ago. If I knew then what I know now, maybe I would have recovered then and be one of those encouraging others to stay the course and get well instead of one of those worried about ever getting better at all.

Posts: 199 | From utah | Registered: Jan 2009 | IP: Logged |

Jasmin
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 19959

posted

Hi Keebler,

It was a positive western blot.

http://flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php/topic/1/81325

bwillis, You had a positive ELISA?

I think my doubts are that I'm afraid I won't know what is wrong with me. I'm afraid that I'll have to hear it's all in my head again.

--------------------
Never doubt in darkness what the daylight proves to you.

Posts: 418 | From Utah | Registered: Apr 2009 | IP: Logged |

bwillis
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 18811

posted

Jasmin, the only doctors in Utah that won't tell you its in your head are the one or two that are Lyme literate. Everyone else thinks lyme is an eastern problem or they follow the IDSA and your cured in 4 weeks.

I even thought I was cured after 8 weeks of abx after I was first bitten. Then it all came back and worse.

Please get on a plan and stick with it. It might be a long time but if your doctor is Lyme literate, chances are really good for improvement.

Posts: 199 | From utah | Registered: Jan 2009 | IP: Logged |

VB
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 16824

posted

I had a positive ELISA (two of them, actually) via Quest, with zero bands on the WB. After about a month or so on abx, I had one band (23) come back as positive.

Then plenty of bands once I was able to get the Igenex WB, though still CDC negative.

No idea why. But honestly, if it weren't for the positive ELISA's I don't think I would have seriously considered lyme, so I'm thankful for them.

Posts: 453 | From TX | Registered: Aug 2008 | IP: Logged |

Jasmin
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 19959

posted

Yay! I'm so thankful you posted. It makes me feel better. I don't know why. [Smile]

--------------------
Never doubt in darkness what the daylight proves to you.

Posts: 418 | From Utah | Registered: Apr 2009 | IP: Logged |

Lymetoo
Moderator
Member # 743

posted

Pretty unlikely.

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--Lymetutu--
Opinions, not medical advice!

Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001 | IP: Logged |

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