Blood test for chlamydia?

[binniman]

In November 2008, I asked my doc for STD screening and took blood for all stds including chlamydia and gonorrhea.  The result were both negative saying C. TRACHOMATIS BY AMPLIFIED PROBE negative and GC BY AMPLIFIED PROBE negative.  I did not make much of it at the time but now I have been reading out of curiosity and learned that both of these STDs can not be tested using blood.  Can I trust those test results?  I am really confused and baffled.  

[2terrified]

"Usually, chlamydia and gonorrhea are tested at the same time with the same sample.  This is because the symptoms of both are so similar that they can be confused or you can have both. "  

The answer to your question was in my previous reply.

[Vance2335]

We can't tell you what your Dr would do, only he can answer that.

[binniman]

2terrfied, thank you for your prompt replies.  I did a very complete set of STD screening in Nov 2008.  My doctor tells me that on that same day, I gave urine samples for chlamydia and gonorrhea but to the very best of my memory, I only gave blood samples but I would not bet anything on it.  On the results section, it detailed out chlamydia by amplified probe and gonorrhea by amplified probe, both negative.  Is that method used for blood tests or urine tests?  Also, I gave a urine sample again today but the doc had said that he was happy to do chlamydia test.  Further on the email he said, lets start by updating chlamydia/GC.  Do they just automatically do both or he had to specify it?  This is just all confusing and unpleasant to me.  

[2terrified]

No.  With every illness, your body develops antibodies from fighting it off.  They are always there saying you had...at some point in your life.  You have antibodies for every cold, flu, etc.  You can still get reinfected or get a new chlamydia infection.  Usually, chlamydia and gonorrhea are tested at the same time with the same sample.  This is because the symptoms of both are so similar that they can be confused or you can have both.  

[binniman]

So does it mean that if I had developed antibodies for it, I would not be infected if exposed to it?  I have given a urine sample for chlamydia this morning but I am rather surprised how negligent my doctor has been having known what you are telling me.  Should I have to take the gonorrhea test as well?

[2terrified]

Testing for chlamydia/gonorrhea by blood does not mean you have a current infection.  It only tells you if you had at one point in time developed antibodies for it.  For accurate testing you need to be tested by swab or urine.