Got My ELISA Results

[mrs_k75]

I posted earlier that my ELISA test is negative. I was hoping someone here can tell me what LIV stands for (sorry if it is a dumb question). On my report it says my amount of Borrelia Burgdorferi antibodies is 0.68 LIV
In order for me to positive I have to have 0.99 or more LIV so therefore no Western blot was done. I also thought I would add that I have been diagnosed as RA eventhough my test for that is negative. I am currently on Plaquenil which has relieved my joint symptoms some, but not my blur spot vision, chronic fatigue, and dry red eyes. My sed rate used to be 17 now it is down to 11 which is good. I don't know if plaquenil affects it or not, but I still believe I should take advice and go to LLMD.

[patsy10]

The ELISA is not a very good screening test for lyme disease.  I wouldn't put too much  thought into the results.  It is often false negative.

[Dont_tick_me_off]

yes. i had my family MD sign the papers to approve and agree to recieving the results :-)

[JackieCalifornia]

You would need blood work orders from a dr. to get tests run.

[mrs_k75]

Is it really possible to do blood work directly with IGenex before going to an LLMD? I thought I had to got to a docotr first, but I may consider this option before going to one.

[Dont_tick_me_off]

I was at my doctor's yesterday for my monthly appointment and he was telling me that more and more of his serologies are coming back positive. Maybe they are starting to use a different method when testing for lyme?? Up here in canada you have to have a ELISA test come back positive inorder for them to order a western blot. I sent mine to IGenex. 4 bands positive. My doctor is really hoping that if i stay persistant at blood taking.. we are bound to have one come back postive. He said that typically 1 out of 3 will state positive on their test. He said that he has found a lot of the tests that are negative in the begining end up positive down the road with treatment.

All i can say is the testing is Bull **** and they need to start doing something about it.

[wonko]

I think LIV stands for "Lyme index value," but I don't really know much about it.  It is some unit of measure I suppose, so you have just less than 70% of what you need to be positive.

I was always negative on the ELISA.  This test fails to pick up many cases of Lyme.

My SED rate has gone up into the 40's before, and I was told that it wasn't "that" high.  I think it is a very non-specific indicator of inflammation that doesn't tell a whole lot by itself.

Lyme symptoms and sero-negative RA sound like good reasons to me to find an LLMD.  If you do have RA, there is only so much you can do.  But if you have Lyme, it can be treated and the sooner the better.  You seem realistic, you know you might not have Lyme and still need to face RA.  Seeing an LLMD may help you sort this out and fairly consider Lyme.

Of course, these are just my thoughts and are no replacement for expert advice!  I can relate to being told you don't have Lyme, but still having my doubts.  Though I get frustrated with my Lyme treatment, I'm glad I've pursued it.

Keep us posted on what you decide to do, and take care.

[JackieCalifornia]

Well, the good news sounds to be that you don't have RA.  Have you located an LLMD?