Igenex test results

[Tay728]

I recently had testing completed by Igenex in California. By CDC and Igenex standards it reads Negative. But a friend says it is positive and I am currently trying to find a LLMD wher I live. Please any feedback you have to offer would be greatly appreciated.

IgG
**31 kDa IND
**39 kDa IND
**41 kDA +
  58 kDa ++

IgM
**31 kDa IND
**34 kDa IND
**41 kDA +

I also have chronic EBV and CMV with intermittent +/_ for HHV6. Thank you for your tim and consideration!!
Tay728

[JackieCalifornia]

Tay,  to my non-medical understanding, IgM results reflect a more recent infection, and IgG results an older infection, and to make it more complicated, if you've been infected for a while, your immune system may not be reacting fully to the bacteria anymore.  LLMDs sometimes give a trial course of antibiotics and then retest, to see if the meds have stirred up the bacteria so they can be counted better.

===IgG

**31 kDa IND -- this is outer surface protein A (OspA), which occurs in Lyme but also may cross-react with other bacteria

**39 kDa IND -- this is a major protein of Lyme's little whip tail and is specific to Lyme, meaning NO other bacteria will cause this marker to show up on the test

**41 kDA + -- a protein common to all spiral-shaped bacteria, of which Lyme is one, so it could be Lyme, or might not be

  58 kDa ++ -- may be related to Lyme

===IgM

**31 kDa IND -- OspA, only shows up in Lyme

**34 kDa IND -- Osp B, only shows up in Lyme

**41 kDA + -- might be Lyme, might be another spiral bacterium
===============================================================

As to interpretation of these positive results (even an IND [indefinite] may be looked at as a very weak positive), I have read that if you have any positive result on any ONE of several bands (including THREE bands on which you have some indication:  31, 34, 39), then it should be read as a positive test, or at the minimum clue the doc into looking further.  It may be that it's been a while since you were infected, and your immune system has stopped reacting at a very high level that would provide a more positive test, but I would definitely pursue this if it were I, by finding an LLMD.

NonLLMDs do not read the tests the same way an LLMD would read them, and the tests, as Ree says, are not entirely reliable.  The tests are supposed to provide information, not make the decision.  The docs are supposed to make the determination based on history and symptoms, reading the tests as additional information.

An LLMD, based on your specific symptoms, might also order additional tests to see if you have 'bonus' diseases like bartonella, babesiosis, Ehrlichiosis and a few others to see if have these co-infections carried by the Lyme tick ~50% of the time.

Be sure you always get copies of all your test results, taking copies to new docs for reference, but having your own set at home or in your bag so that you have a complete record.  Different docs read tests diff. ways, and they need the data to do that -- it will help you to provide that historical data to the docs, so they can take it into account.

Best wishes to you -- I would also be finding an LLMD, as you are doing.  Let us know how you do, okay?

[ree427]

I am not exactly sure what the test results mean, but I do know that no test is completely reliable. You can have Lyme despite a negative test, so I agree with trying to find a LLMD if you believe you have Lyme. Also, I have Lyme with chronic EBV, CMV and HHV6 also. I think these viruses like to play tag team with Lyme.