This doctor is 100% correct about HSV IGM testing dont do it!

[thereishope51]

This isn't a question it is a comment to tell the doc on this site who strongly advised not to have HSV IGM testing done that he is absolutely correct.  I spent the last week living on the edge becasue of one of those test and I did not request to have it done.  I'm  a 51 year old male who recently come out and have a six month relationship with another man.  I discovered he was cheating on me and was also involved with drug use.  Before I met him I had an HSV Igg specific test done and both were negative.  This was last September.  And since I discovered this man was using drugs and cheating I immediatly scheduled a battery of tests in January this year.  Everything came back negative.  Thank god!  Both my HSV IGG specific tests were negative again.  However, I didn't realize this but the private testing company I used sent me to a labcore lab.  And I guess when they give Herpes tests done they automatically do both igg and igm even though I requested no igm.  Needless to say my IGM combination test came back at 1.01 equivocal.  So basically I was in the position so many of posted about on here.  I was angry and scared to death.  Angry because I had read on here about the problemss with IGM testing.  I tried very hard to ignore it but as the doctor says it is a psychological nightmare.  Had retesting done at Quest and the results were negative again.  IGM TESTING FOR HERPES IS ********!   DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO DO THIS TEST.  IT IS INACURRATE AND CREATES FALSE POSITIVES.  DO NOT GO TO LABCORE FOR HERPES TESTING.  Anyway, it was the doctors posts that I hung on to for hope for the past week.  I never want anyone to have to go through this.  So I hope if you are reading this and in my situation you hold on the the truth.  IGM testing is not correct and inaccurrate. It cases more problems than it does good.  Thank you to all the doctors on here for giving me hope when I was scared to death!!!!!

[gracefromHHP]

glad you found the info you needed in order to pursue additional testing :)

just to clarify, you had your herpes igg blood testing done at least 3 months after the last time you had had sex with your partner?

grace

[Mistakeguy789]

William The igm is a flawed test.  Please don't pass out information that you aren't sure on.  That test cross reacts and sometimes even itself is going to be positive.  

Thanks for the post thereishope51.  We know the test is flawed but so many people get it in hopes.  I wish they would discountine that test.  But labs want the money and igm is a cheap test for them and the markup is good on it.  

[william28]

The herpes igm sometimes correct if you have a new infection or recurrent . When was last time you have sex before you last herpes igg test? Do you have any symptomes before?