Topic: Looking for a good lab for co-infection testing that accepts insurance-Are there any?
BackinStOlaf
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23725
posted
I can't afford any more tests out of pocket
thanks
-------------------- First Symptom 9/09 Multiple docs, negative Labcorp test LLMD: 1/10 Positive Igenex/CDC test Treatment 2/10 2/10-8/10 Amox, ceftin, zith, flagyl Currently: Bicillin, Minocycline, still dealing with severe breathing issues
Posts: 1121 | From New York, New York | Registered: Dec 2009
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
You can be tested for babesia duncani through LabCorp.
My now famous lyme doc does this if the babesia microti test through Igenex is negative and he still suspects babs.
That's the only coinfection test I know that is any good, done by a lab that takes insurance.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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METALLlC BLUE
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6628
posted
Only MDL comes to mind, and even still they aren't that useful.
-------------------- I am not a physician, so do your own research to confirm any ideas given and then speak with a health care provider you trust.
BackinStOlaf
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 23725
posted
I had the Babs and Bart test through Labcorp- it was negative..not sure if I should trust it
-------------------- First Symptom 9/09 Multiple docs, negative Labcorp test LLMD: 1/10 Positive Igenex/CDC test Treatment 2/10 2/10-8/10 Amox, ceftin, zith, flagyl Currently: Bicillin, Minocycline, still dealing with severe breathing issues
Posts: 1121 | From New York, New York | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
What about Stoney Brook University lab in New York. They do Elisa and Western Blot. Does anyone have any opinion about the quality of their testing? I do know they take insurance. I was told that Labcorp is actually pretty good for Bartonella h and q so I would do that test. If it comes back negative you may still have it because there are so many species.
Again, does anyone have any comments on Stoney Brook? Thanks - Beth
Posts: 6 | From Pennsylvania | Registered: Apr 2006
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posted
At only $100 I would do the bloodslide from Clongen. It will at least tell you if you have the mystery bacteria which is thought to be either some strain of bartonella or BLO.
If you have a really bad babs infection that may show as well.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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posted
I've heard that Stony Brook is okay for WB testing, if a person couldn't get Igenex. They supposedly will report all bands if the doctor requests it. No idea how they are with co-infections though.
I wasn't able to get duncani tested at labcorp in ny, but that could have been due to a very confused lab technician... or it's just not allowed for ny people. I seem to recall the actual lab that labcorp sends to says that ny people are excluded.
One other option is to retest using 2 or more local labs your insurance pays for, such as sunrise, labcorp, quest, etc. spaced a couple of weeks apart, while on, or after trying, meds that hit bart/babesia. Maybe that would increase the odds, and one of the labs will turn something up, but your doc would have to agree to that odd type of testing schedule.
Posts: 584 | From NY | Registered: Feb 2009
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
I doubt you got the babesiosis duncani test through LabCorp. You were probably tested for babesia microti.
This special babs duncani test is done through LabCorp but they send it out to another lab to do the actual testing. (LabCorp just does the blood draw.)
Duncani is what is known as the "western strain" of babs.
Check your test results and you will most likely see that you had babs microti testing only through LabCorp.
I would not recommend LabCorp for babs testing at all. But, the duncani testing is good because it is actually done by another lab. It most likely has the other lab's name at the top rather than LabCorp's name.
posted
My insurance covers labs from quest My Lyme came back positive from quest But the report said that the WB was performed By stony brook
Posts: 157 | From Colorado | Registered: Aug 2010
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