Leukemia or Lyme Disease?

[Joeland]

My Igenex basic panel shows IFA 40, IGM 39, 41 positive, IGG 41++. I just received y Labcorp results, it shows 91.
But my infectious disease doctor ran a complete blood count, and metabolic panel, and he says it shows 2nd stage Leukemia, with a problem with my kidneys. Could a co-infection show the indications of leukemia, and kidney problems? What is skewed?

[Ephedra]

I am not sure how often doctors order a VEGF.  But I think it is used more for as a cancer screening, or metastasis more than anything.  So obviously high values are typically given significance and not so much low values, which can be just as harmful.    

[JackieCalifornia]

"LabCor, for example sets a cutoff of 0.  So it's normal to have absolutely no vascular proliferation?"

Just guessing, but they might set the cutoff at zero so that they pick up even small changes and can track over time (and future re-testing) what the trend lines are.  

[nutrinut_bob]

I thought you might be interested in this abstract I found, since bartonella is a possibility in your case.  Seems bartonella is now classified as a mycoplasma, dirty little shape-shifters.

From Haemobartonella to hemoplasma: molecular methods provide new insights.
Willi B, Boretti FS, Tasker S, Meli ML, Wengi N, Reusch CE, Lutz H, Hofmann-Lehmann R.
Author information
Abstract

Hemotropic mycoplasmas (aka hemoplasmas) are the causative agents of infectious anemia in numerous mammalian species. Originally known as Haemobartonella and Eperythrozoon species, these organisms have been reclassified within the genus Mycoplasma. The development of new molecular assays has expanded our knowledge of this heterogeneous group of agents and allowed us to study their epidemiology and pathogenesis. The present review summarizes recently gained insights into feline hemotropic mycoplasmas, formerly known as Haemobartonella felis. Besides the two initially identified feline hemoplasma species, Mycoplasma haemofelis and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum, we discovered a third novel hemoplasma in a Swiss pet cat; preliminary results suggest that the pathogenic potential of the latter agent depends on cofactors. In applying PCR-based assays, feline hemoplasma infections have been documented in domestic cats and wild felids worldwide. Differences between the three hemoplasmas in regard to response to antibiotic treatment and establishment of a carrier status have been reported. Additionally, besides an ostensible vector-borne transmission, direct transmission by aggressive interaction of cats or interspecies transmission might play a role in the epidemiology of these organisms. Based on a potential vector-borne and interspecies transmission, a zoonotic potential of hemoplasmas should be further investigated.

I leave it to you to follow up, however you can.  Here's the test:  http://www.idexx.com/pubwebresources/pdf/en_us/smallanimal/reference-laboratories/diagnostic-updates/realpcr-fhm-test.pdf

[nutrinut_bob]

There are a lot of microvermin that can hijack one's lymphatic cells and cause abnormal proliferation.  Toxoplasma does so to increase its motility, and SV40 and various mycoplasmas get in there too.  I realize this doesn't help you narrow things down any, but at least you have a few others to consider.  It's been a couple years now since I accidentally triggered a die off that filled the lymphatics of my legs with stuff that ran off the lymphatics of my upper body.  The chemical that did it is rather specific for a protein that SV40 turns off, p53.  So in my case the lymph cells were likely infected with SV40 that I got from the Salk vaccine.  A lot of lymphatic swelling I had long lived with in my jaw and other parts of my face, to include my increasingly bulbous nose, went down.  Although I refer to it as a die off, apoptosis of the host cell doesn't necessarily mean that whatever is inside has died too.  The combination of SV40 and mycoplasma it seems is particularly likely to make cells turn malignant.  I had both for sure and I'm still fighting the unidentified microvermin, with some success.  You really need to get away from mainstream medicine, though I don't doubt some LLMDs are little better.  The significance of the fact that my die off occurred on Xmas eve wasn't lost on me, and shouldn't be on others.  

[Ephedra]

I agree Jackie!    

I just wanted to add that I have been on the subject of vascular proliferation here lately, assuming that you are referring to Vascular Endothelial Growth factor levels.  You are absolutely correct in that Bartonella can increase these levels, which is never good and I could see how that could pave the way to cancer.  However Lyme; mold; and quite possibly Babesia can reduce those levels, and that is never good either.  I had mine tested and it was really low.  However, you need to watch the reference ranges.  LabCor, for example sets a cutoff of 0.  So it's normal to have absolutely no vascular proliferation?  I think not!!  This has to do with the healing process as well as oxygen and blood flow to your tissues and organs.  I have been finding a lot of errors in the reference ranges through Labcor.  So it is always good to research the reference ranges if something seems a little odd or is on the border.  The few things that were off on my labs, would have been missed if I didn't have sense enough to know better!  

[JackieCalifornia]

I agree with the gist of Ephedra's post:  rather than worry about getting cancer, focus on getting Lyme and whatever coinfections you may have diagnosed and treated fully.  A quick read just now seems to indicate that bartonella can cause some problems with 'vascular proliferation', meaning stepped up growth of blood vessels, but my reaction to that (and I'm NOT medically trained) is that getting properly diagnosed and treated for Lyme and any coinfection is the first thing to do, and then worry later if need be if the period of time you had Lyme etc. has caused some secondary effects like potential vascularisation.

I would see a Lyme specialist rather than a doc focussed mostly on the possible follow-on effects of a Lyme infection.  A parallel might be that if a pan on the kitchen stove catches fire, deal with putting out that fire rather than only worrying that the whole house might burn down.  Deal with the immediate issues (like Lyme or the burning pan), because that will help prevent the secondary issues (like possible leukemia), because when the pan fire is put out, you don't need to worry about the house burning down.

[Ephedra]

I suppose anything is possible with medicine, but I would not count on it.  In other words, highly unlikely.  But then again, I am not a physician.  And I did not research it either.      

As for the few lab results you gave, they do not look that bad.  You do not know what your WBC and RBC is?  Or anything else?  That would be helpful,

Your A/G Ratio of 2.8 is a little high.  I have the cutoff at 2.5. Could suggest a weakened immune system, maybe from Lyme.  But it could mean nothing as it could be influenced by diet.  
Your BUN of 23.1 is a little high.  I have a cutoff of 20.  Again, could be influenced by diet.  Could mean you're dehydrated.  But it could mean your kidneys are struggling a bit.  I noticed a sharp rise in my BUN level when I began treatment for Lyme.  Are you undergoing treatment?  I also know certain medications can contaminate the results.  I am not sure which particular medications.  Your levels do not seem alarmingly high in my own personal opinion though.  You do not you're creatine level?  Platelets and mcv is fine.

I would not except a diagnosis of Leukemia or anything of the sort without at least a second opinion!  However I would not mention the suspicion of Leukemia to the second doctor as it may influence the diagnoses, if you know what I mean.

[Joeland]

Could bartonella have caused Leukemia, or Lymphoma?  I was scratched viscously by a sick cat who died the next day. Bartonella is the bacteria that causes cat scratch fever, and is known to cause some kinds of cancers.

[cave76]

If you go to www.ilads.org there will be a 'contact' link there with instructions on how to request a list of 3 doctors near you who will treat via ILADS guidelines.

Or perhaps your primary care doctor can help. If s/he was aware enough to use Igenex then perhaps treatment will follow ILADS guidelines. We can't emphasize enough how important it is to get started with the treatment for Lyme disease!

Was there a reason you were seeing an infectious disease doctor? Perhaps we don't know the whole story.

[mojogal]

A friend of mine who was bit by a tick a few months ago, started having joint pain. She went to an ID doctor who didn't treat her properly. I hope you have better luck.

[JackieCalifornia]

Good for you for being pro-active on the testing.  

I'm sure your ID doc means well, but as a group, the ID docs seem to have some big blind spots when it comes to Lyme.  

Take care --

[Joeland]

I ordered the IGeneX myself, and had my primary care physician order the lab work, I sent the kit back to IGeneX myself with FedEx. My infectious disease doctor ran his own tests that has found something not suspected.

[JackieCalifornia]

May I ask what kind of doc ordered the IGeneX tests?  

Most non-LLMDs don't use IGeneX for testing, keeping instead to the older and differently structured Western blot/ELISA tests (which are less accurate than IGeneX because of the way the test works).

Any doc who is aware enough to order IGeneX testing has possibilities.  Just wondering.  Hang in there, keep us posted, let us know how we can help.  You're doing good!  

[Joeland]

The A/G Ratio was 2.8  the platelet count was 246, BUN was 23.1, mcv was 93 that's what I remember.

[JackieCalifornia]

That brings to mind the saying that "when the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail."

That is, docs who don't believe in Lyme or are not aware of its prevalence will tend not to put Lyme into the differential diagnosis to consider it as what may be ailing us.  It took 20 docs before I found one who took the possibility of Lyme seriously.  Doc #19 had run a Western blot, which came back positive, but she said it was a false positive because I didn't 'look sick enough.'  Sigh.

Good for the oncologist for being Lyme-aware!

[cave76]

From:
http://www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/lyme_tips.html

" a significant number people who contract Lyme disease are misdiagnosed during the early stages, leading to a chronic form of the disease which can prove even more difficult to diagnose and treat. Lyme disease is often referred to as the "great imitator" because it mimics other conditions, often causing patients to suffer a complicated maze of doctors in search of appropriate treatment."

[Elleon_arual]

All of my doctors also suspected some kind of cancer for me. Fevers, swollen lymph nodes, low WBC, everything pointed to it. I had all kinds of MRIs, Cat scan, x-rays and they couldn't find anything so they sent me on my way.

Honestly, the oncologist I went to was the one that kept asking about Lyme disease and if I got tested (at the time I was waiting for my Western Blot results so I didn't know).

[JackieCalifornia]

Ditto what Rico and mojo said.

[cave76]

In case you missed the post by Ephedra about, I'll repost it:

"There is not a test on a CBC or CMP that shows up positive for cancer!

I think what cave and I are saying, is that there must be some abnormalities consistent with cancer to make the doctor suspect it.  Does it absolutely, without a doubt mean cancer - no!

We need to know what thoes abnormalities are to better answer your question.  Do you have a copy of your labs?  Do you know what was off?"

And to reiterate what Ricobord said------ please find a good llmd and start treatment for Lyme. Or at least let us know that you are in the process of trying to find one.

[mojogal]

Lyme is the great pretender and I agree with the above, I would not trust and ID docs word on cancer.

You are positive for Lyme. I would find an ILADS LLMD who can rule out cancer. I was told I had many things but it was all Lyme and co's.

[Ricobord]

I wouldn't trust an ID doc's word on cancer.  I'm hoping he was speculating, or telling you his suspicions, not giving you an actual diagnosis.

I encourage you to follow up with any further referrals he suggests to get properly checked out for leukemia.  But I also STRONGLY encourage you to get to a LLMD.  Band 39 is indicative of Lyme, but an ID doc wouldn't recognize your test results because they're not CDC "positive."  

It's a long, sordid story, but the CDC testing protocol is ridiculous in that it ignores Lyme-specific antibodies and symptoms in favor of a test protocol that was designed for surveillance purposes, not diagnosis. The dogma preached by the IDSA and CDC is that doctors must follow the tests, and that a negative result means the patient doesn't have Lyme.  

But since Lyme mimics a couple hundred other conditions, some false negative patients and their doctors end up on a wild goose chase of ever changing test results and symptoms while they try to figure out what is making the patient sick.  Sadly enough, they'll consider highly obscure and highly unlikely conditions rather than admit that a patient could have Lyme and test false negative.

Here's the tricky part. Ticks go for the first meal they can find when they're hungry. They don't just bite healthy people. They bite people with other medical conditions, too.  

Also, Lyme can lie low for a while in someone's body, and then flare up when a big stressor or other illness comes along.  And so Lyme can flare up when something like MS or Leukemia develops, or a tick can bite someone with a still developing condition like MS or Leukemia.  That's why it would be good to get checked out for Leukemia if a doctor thinks you might have it.  

Your Western Blot says Lyme, so you definitely want to deal with that. Hopefully, that's all you've got. I've heard of others whose doctors thought they had cancer before they got to a LLMD.  (My neuro looked for cancer in me, too, while he was trying to figure out what I had. An ER doc also thought I had cancer, and I don't, so don't worry yet. Lyme patients often hear some scary stuff before they finally figure out it's Lyme.)

[Ephedra]

There is not a test on a CBC or CMP that shows up positive for cancer!

I think what cave and I are saying, is that there must be some abnormalities consistent with cancer to make the doctor suspect it.  Does it absolutely, without a doubt mean cancer - no!

We need to know what thoes abnormalities are to better answer your question.  Do you have a copy of your labs?  Do you know what was off?

[Joeland]

There is a concern about kidney cancer, leukemia, or lymphoma. Would a co-infection, or lyme disease  cause this to show in the tests?

The doctor says I was looking for Lyme disease, and found cancer?

[Joeland]

What i'm concerned about is the complete blood count with differential, and complete metabolic panel