quick question

[chefaid90]

ok got my lyme test back and cant understand it. here  is a copy

Borrelia Burgdorferi IgG, IFA <1:4
Borrelia Burgdorferi IgM, IFA <1:1
Interpretation (NOTE)

ANTIBODY NOT DETECTED
REFERENCE RANGES: IgG <1:4
IgM <1:1

Diagnosis of infections of the central nervous
system can be done by demonstrating the presence
of intrathecally-produced specific antibody.
However, interpreting results is complicated by
low antibody levels found in CSF, passive transfer
of antibody from blood, and contamination via
bloody taps. The interpretation of CSF results
must consider CSF-serum antibody ratios to the
infectious agent. However, demonstration of class
specific antibody IgM in CSF may be diagnostic.
The intrathecal synthesis of B. burgdorferi
antibody is most accurately measured by performing
the B. burgdorferi Antibody Index for CNS
Infection.

This assay was developed and its performance
characteristics have been determined by Focus
Diagnostics. It has not been cleared or approved
by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA
has determined that such clearance or approval is
not necessary. Performance characteristics refer
to the analytical performance of the test.
Performed at Focus Diagnostics, 5785 Corporate Avenue,
Cypress,
CA 90630, Jay M. Lieberman, MD., Director, CLIA
05D0644251

[Ricobord]

Unfortunately negative tests do not rule out Lyme.  Which is why some cases are so tricky to diagnose and people remain sick for years.  A Lyme Literate Medical Doctor could help you rule it out (or in) as they have seen many cases and know how to make a clinical diagnosis.  

Recently, the CDC finally updated one of their web pages on Lyme saying that negative tests don't exclude it and that it is ultimately a clinical diagnosis.

[SarahL2491]

I agree with Ricobord, Western Blot is the best, but you are still negative for Lyme....so not to worry, you can add that one to the "ruled out" list.

[chefaid90]

thanks.this is my third round of lyme testing i believe. i have both test ran prior to this one by my pcp and not sure if it was both with my neuro the first time she ran them. this just happened to be the first time i saw the results

[Ricobord]

Hi! Sorry...I answered another post of yours before I saw this one.  you did indeed get tested for Lyme.

Your test result shows that on the blood screening test for Lyme, you are negative. The CDC testing protocol says to only run the second step, the Western Blot if the screen is positive. But doctors who treat lots of Lyme say that at least 30% of their patients test false negative on the screen, especially those sick more than a year, people who are very ill with a lot of symptoms, or people who have had steroids (which interfere with antibody production).

Ask your doctor if s/he will order a Western Blot anyway. You want to see all the 'bands' in a result, not just the CDC surveillance interpretation.  Many people, myself included, show Lyme specific antibodies, just not the ones the CDC is looking for.  The two most Lyme specific antibodies were left out of the WB criteria because the Lyme vaccine under development 20 years ago would generate false positives in vaccinated people.  The vaccine was a disaster, but then nobody came up with a new diagnostic criteria.  Many labs and doctors are still using the old surveillance (sampling) interpretation, which was never intended as a diagnostic absolute.

IGeneX in CA is the best for finding tick borne disease.  

You are welcome to come check out the Lyme forum and ask for thoughts on this.  There are many knowledgeable people there to help out people who think they might have Lyme.  This forum is great for answers on MS. There are lots of wonderful people here willing to share their knowledge and experience.

[chefaid90]

thanks i thought that is what it said but was so damn confused by all the other stuff on there

[Sailorsong]

Basically it say you don't have Lyme. The rest of the stuff is just a bunch of legal stuff they are require to put in every report.

Dennis