Lyme Abs, IgG/IgM test...what is this?

Question

Hoping to get some guidance. I have suspected that I have chronic Lyme and at the moment I happen to be having a very quiet period of time with all of my health issues that were leading me to this thought. Having said that, I went to a new doctor last week and told them I suspected chronic Lyme. This was the first doctor EVER to say, ok I'll test you. There was a lab in the building and I asked the tech if it was ELISA or WB or what it was...she said Lyme IgG/IgM and that was all.

I basically knew this would probably tell me nothing and now I am almost worse off because I now have a negative result in their system. This test makes no sense to me. I am no expert but have heard you all talk about "bands" etc...and I believe IgG and IgM are two different things, so how can there be just one number for both? Here is my result. Any enlightenment would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks.

Lyme Abs, IgG/IgM	0.26	   <0.75	 TV
Interpretation (Lyme Abs/WB)	No evidence of antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi.

(Ah ha! Just saw that WB on that bottom part. Western Blot? Shouldn't there be more to this result and should I ask for a paper copy? This is an online report)

Ephedra · Accepted Answer

I could be wrong, but I do not think this was an ELISA nor a western blot.  It was just a simple overall antibody test probably completed at some mainstream lab.  If it was a western blot, the bands tested would be laid out there for you to see.  There would be a positive or negative next to each one tested.

The testing for Lyme is not an easy process.  There are so many different test and so many false negatives, that it is not always easy to get an answer.  Most people do test negative at mainstream labs, even on the western blot as they do not report all of the bands nor do they report indeterminate bands (which can be just as important).

Most that test positive go threw a specialized lab (IGenex) to get our answers.  However even that is not 100% fool proof.  You can take antibiotics for a couple months prior to the test to improve your chances.  It's best if you go see a Lyme Literate physician.  There are few and far between, but they know how the process works.  Many even treat based on clinical presentation.

Good luck!

Jackie419 · Answer

Thanks, I'll definitely need luck! Believe me, I've read enough to understand that negative doesn't mean anything in these mainstream tests, it's just my only option right now. This board and all of you help so much :)

Ephedra · Answer

Your welcome!  Good luck to you.  Just don't count on it.  If it comes back negative, it's meaningless!!

Jackie419 · Answer

Thank you so much, this info helps a lot. I realize even the western blot ***** but it's all I've got right now and I want to do it right in any case. When I can afford it I will be doing Igenex. Thanks again!

Ephedra · Answer

A cyst busting drug, such as Flagyl would be best.  There may be natural cyst busters, but I'm not sure.  Or even better, a cyst busting drug in addition to something like Zithromax.....

There are so many different antibiotics.  I don't really think that it makes much of a difference which antibiotic, as long as you are NOT on them at the time of the test.  And as long as it is a Lyme specific antibiotic i.e. Zithromax; Doxycycline; Biaxin; ect.. 

Of course, LLMDs know how this works better than I do.  But I would take the antibiotic for at least 3 months, preferably longer.  Then withhold them three weeks prior to the test.  Keep in mind if you would use something like doxycycline, it would require much higher than average doses.

Ephedra · Answer

You're right, there are so many bad drugs i.e. counterfeit, poisonous, expired, ect.. You really do need to be careful. After researching the company for some time, I decided to take that chance years ago. And they turned out to be really good. So why not spread the word, I guess. Sure, feel free to P.M me with any questions, anyone.

cave76 · Answer

Good to know. I appreciate your honesty and I'll quit this public conversation now.

Many people ask me about this I always stay on the side of caution because there are so many ways to get bad drugs. May I P.M. you if/when I have more questions?

Jackie419 · Answer

...does it matter what antibiotic I would take?

Jackie419 · Answer

Thanks so much for the input. I called that doctor back and asked them to order a western blot test for me and they did. I am painfully aware that it probably wouldnt show it either but I dont have other options right now. The best thing I can do is take antibiotics before getting tested. Hoping to find out how long I should be on them for them to effectively help the test show something so please let me know your thoughts if you would.

This is available to me right now for free which is the only reason I am bothering. I will do REAL testing at some point but I have been wondering for so long if I have chronic lyme that when this doctor was willing to order a test, I jumped!

mojogal · Answer

You can always buy natural medications on your own although I was shocked to find out I could order my b-12 without my script and got the needles and everything in the package.

Ephedra · Answer

You seriously want to know??  Not wanting to start a big debate here.  Not the best idea in the world.  Only for those that know what they are doing (dosage, interactions, ect). 

I am not even sure that I should put it out here, although I did before and started a big debate out of it.  

Before I could get into an LLMD, I ordered my medications from internationaldrugmart.  It takes about three weeks for the delivery of your medications and it arrives via registered mail, therefore someone need to sign for them.  In the meantime it comes with a tracking number in which you can track the progress of the shipment, which is always a plus.

I have been ordering through them for years.  The medication always does what it is suppose to, and I have not had any problems at all.  There is also a live chat with a representative on the site if you ever have any questions about your order or anything.

cave76 · Answer

I know I've asked this before but to save me searching through back posts can you tell us how you order your own meds without a doctors rx?

Ephedra · Answer

You can easily order your own western blot through PrivateMdlabs for $63.
That was the cheapest that I have found.  You print the test requisition and take it to a LabCorp site to have the blood draw.  You will get an email when your results are in.  I had one done after I tested negative on the ELISA.  Of course I tested negative on the western blot too because it was through LabCorp and I had not had prior antibiotic therapy, but it was worth a shot.   

I was on antibiotics for six months before I decided to go with IGenex.  Surprisingly I tested CDC positive on the IgM.  The same bands that were negative on the LabCorp western blot six months earlier.   

There is a testing assistance program LymeTap that will reimburse you for 75% of the testing cost if you qualify.  There is a prepayment option, but I am not sure how that works.

The odds of you finding a physician that will treat and test you appropriately are very low.  You'd just about have to go to an LLMD or order your own meds and testing yourself.

Jackie419 · Answer

This is starting to appear to possibly be the ELISA test. Figures.

Jackie419 · Answer

Thank you so much for your response. Like many I have been told by a lot of doctors "There's no Lyme in....(insert your state here)...." so getting ANYONE to even run a bs test was a miracle. Of course it was a crappy one! I posted here because I have read up on all the tests and had never heard of this and it was at a mainstream lab. Can't afford Igenex at all right now and I doubt this doctor will want to run any more tests and they probably wouldn't show anything anyway. I was hoping for a WB so I could at least know for myself if any bands were positive, whether THEY saw it as Lyme or not....just for my own knowledge because I am painfully aware of the rough road Lyme patients must travel.

Thanks again!