tests

[gorbybelle]

hi, all- the serology test that I had done a while ago - turns out to be 'enzyme immuno assay' - could anyone shed some light on this please

apparently the lab. says it is fairly accurate !!

[wonko]

I'm the same way--since the medical profession can't agree on much in terms of Lyme, I put a lot of weight in patient experience.  I just wanted to back up what I was saying.

As you know, none of the testing strongly supports my case.  But I've responded to treatment, and that counts most to me.

I suppose it's good that the ultra sound didn't show anything, since that means its nothing bad?  I have a cyst-like lump under my armpit that comes and goes, and sometimes get fluid on the knee.  Those are the most lumpy symptoms that I have.

[gorbybelle]

Hi. Wonko - I did have a look at different 'web pages' - but I always like to hear opinions of other 'Lymies' - since there isn't usually anything as good as personal 'experience' -and the knowledged gained from that - thankyou - my G.P. said the lab. told him it was niether 'Elisa' or W.B. !!

I get on well with my G.P. - he is straight with me - he has only seen one case of 'lyme' years ago - and it wasn't his own patient - he doubts I have Lyme but still helps me - advised me to go back to LLMD. - which I had planned on - atleast he doesn't  'huff & puff' at the mention of lyme or roll his eyes !!

the ultra sound of my 'lump on neck' showed absolutely nothing - not even fluid ??

I was reading on another forum that a few people there have had similar 'lumps' - so maybe it is another odd lyme thing?

[wonko]

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay--the ELISA test.  

I always tested negative on this.

"...even in early Lyme disease, only 33-49% of patients have a positive ELISA test, (1,2) and in late Lyme disease, the ELISA sensitivity may be as low as 79%. (9) Thus the screening assay can miss truly positive patients."

for the quote origin and references, see:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0ISW/is_285/ai_n19170380/

(This was  just the first example I found in a quick search, one could find  many many sources for this I'm sure.)