LymeNet Flash: can lyme disease cause a syphilis false positive?

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»	LymeNet Flash » Questions and Discussion » General Support » can lyme disease cause a syphilis false positive?

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Topic: can lyme disease cause a syphilis false positive?

Osher
Junior Member
Member # 24457

posted

When I was tested for syphilis, I had a false positive in the first screening test.

Later on, I was also tested for lyme and had a partial positive (IgM 41 and 23, and IgG only 41)
I was eventually diagnosed with lyme disease by an LLMD.

However, I was wondering if there were any other lyme patients that had false positives for the syphilis test.

Posts: 8 | From Massachusetts | Registered: Feb 2010 | IP: Logged |

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

posted

-
I'm not sure about that but I often wished I had tested positive for syphilis as that would have gotten more respect and better access to treatment than lyme.

What does your LLMD say about the syphilis tests?

That test may not have been false - but your LLMD would be the first expert who should know more about this and guide you to more sophisticated tests &/or combined treatment. You may want to be sure to cover all the bases with treatment, just in case.

Syphilis is actually much easier to treat but, still, just as dangerous as lyme if untreated. And, it is entirely possible to have both lyme and syphilis.

I hope you find the correct answers but if it's not perfectly clear, treat for both. Treatments are very compatible.
-

[ 05-02-2010, 03:14 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]

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

MazzyStar
LymeNet Contributor
Member # 22017

posted

Yes, I read research that many lyme patients get false positives on their syphilis tests. Wish I still had the link, but don't. sorry.

--------------------
Lyme, Babs, Ehrlichia

www.mommalyme.com

Posts: 276 | From Kansas | Registered: Aug 2009 | IP: Logged |

karenl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17753

posted

My test was negative.

But I know from doctors that "lupus" patients often get a positive syphilis test.
But they have lyme.

Posts: 1834 | From US | Registered: Oct 2008 | IP: Logged |

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