CD57?

[Ephedra]

All of my labs are normal except for this CD57 test, which clocked in at a 5.  Is this diagnostic for chronic Lyme, or are there other potential causes for a low CD57?    

[cave76]

I'm sorry, but I'm confused whether your answer to me was regarding the CD57 test or the sed rate or the false/positive/false positive Igenex Lyme tests.  

"Most cases" of which?

Most of us in this thread seem to bounce around and sometimes mention them all in the same reply.

Clarify, please?

[cave76]

Ephedra----- I'm sorry for aiding and abetting in the highjacking of your thread. It was unintentional and just 'sorta happened'.  

So perhaps the last poster would start a new thread and the confusion can be cleared up there.

To get this back on track:

Your OP asked:
:All of my labs are normal except for this CD57 test, which clocked in at a 5.  Is this diagnostic for chronic Lyme, or are there other potential causes for a low CD57? "

I answered those questions. (No, the CD57 is not diagnostic for chronic Lyme if you meant can it be used like a lab test for antibodies etc to allow treatment by antibiotics.)

Other's disagreed or agreed.

Other potential causes for a low CD57.
Two were mentioned:
Chlamydia pneumoniae and Tuberculosis
(I'm sure there are more but haven't taken the time to research it.)

And Dr B. said in 2010:
"Thus, it seems that CD57 may not be as specific for Borrelia as may have been previously believed" (which he stated in his earlier Guidelines) but didn't go into any detail that I've read.

There's no fault assigned to Dr. B's thoughts about the CD57 being specific to Lyme. That's how science works. Hypotheses and refuting those hypotheses. It's always a work in progress.

[Ephedra]

How we must carefully word everything in a post.  Everyone has their own opinions and I don't doubt the CD57 in some cases.  My case is just complex.  I was basically on a chemotherapy drug not too long ago for acne (before Lyme was even considered).  I thought I could take a small enough dose, and I'd be fine.  At the same time, I was on a steroid.  So my immune system basically got bombarded with all of this medication.  I've always been healthy.  I can't remember ever having the flu, I don't smoke, ect.  So I'm thinking okay.... perhaps this medication could be a cause for a low CD57.  Then add Lyme and maybe Chlamydia pneumoniae to lower it even more.

I'm now looking into the MTHFR gene mutation and this is another complex addition to an already complicated case.  Given my family history, I definitely see an opening for this defect.  I'll figure it out!  But will the Dr even know what I am talking about?  I've spent countless hours myself, trying to sort this stuff out.  

I don't have faith in Drs.  They just don't have the time!  And I understand this!  That's why I need to know what's going on...  

Thanks!  


  

[mojogal]

Hi, I did the testing at 23andme and I have 2 mutations of the MTHFR gene. For some reason, many lymies have the defect.

Good luck!

[Ephedra]

Interesting mojogal.

Thanks!

[JackieCalifornia]

When you were given steroids, it suppressed your immune system, which is how steroids work .... but if you have a bacterial infection (and Lyme is bacterial) when you take the steroids, then suppressing the immune system lets the Lyme bacteria have a huge house party at your expense, and it will make you feel worse.  Many docs don't understand much at all about Lyme, and so they don't think about it when prescribing steroids.

I don't know how much selection you have among docs where you are, but my own LLMD happened to be an immunologist by training, and that point of view might be very useful in your particular situation too, because the doc would have that extra background to parse what your reactions have been to the treatments given so far.  

Let us know how we can help -- best wishes --