Hi! I'm normally on the thyroid board. I paid for a lab to do a basic Lyme panel. Got bit by a few ticks this summer. One left a big welt. Didn't think anything of it. Long story short, thought my thyroid levels were off, but they are the best they have ever been - but it appears I have many of the lyme symptoms.
Anyway, here are the results performed by *******:
Lyme IgG/IgM Ab Result: Reference Interval
<0.91 index 0.00-0.90
Negative <0.91
Equivocal 0.91-1.09
Positive >1.09
Can anyone tell me what this means in English???? Thanks for any advice or suggestions.
Which lab did your test? No test for Lyme is completely reliable and results can vary by lab. It is my understanding that the ELISA or titer is the least reliable test. Is this what was done? It looks like it.
Below is a Lyme symptom list. You can have any combination of symptoms.
Unexplained fevers, sweats, chills, or flushing
Unexplained weight change--loss or gain
Fatigue, tiredness, poor stamina
Unexplained hair loss
Swollen glands
Sore throat
Testicular pain/pelvic pain
Unexplained menstrual irregularity
Unexplained milk production: breast pain
Irritable bladder or bladder dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction or loss of libido
Upset stomach
Change in bowel function-constipation, diarrhea
Chest pain or rib soreness
Shortness of breath, cough
Heart palpitations, pulse skips, heart block
Any history of a heart murmur or valve prolapse?
Joint pain or swelling
Stiffness of the joints, neck, or back
Muscle pain or cramps
Twitching of the face or other muscles
Headache
Neck creeks and cracks, neck stiffness, neck pain
Tingling, numbness, burning or stabbing sensations, shooting pains
Facial paralysis (Bell's Palsy)
Eyes/Vision: double, blurry, increased floaters, light sensitivity
Ears/Hearing: buzzing, ringing, ear pain, sound sensitivity
lncreased motion sickness, vertigo, poor balance
Lightheadedness, wooziness
Tremor
Confusion, difficulty in thinking
Difficulty with concentration, reading
Forgetfulness, poor short term memory
Disorientation: getting lost, going to wrong places
Difficulty with speech or writing
Mood swings, irritability, depression
Disturbed sleep-too much, too little, early awakening
Exaggerated symptoms or worse hangover from alcohol
When Lyme disease is a possibility, it is very important to see a kowledgeable doctor. Many doctors do not understand Lyme and treat with outdated protocols. Besides Lyme, ticks can also transmit several co-infections including Babesiosis, two types of Ehrlichiosis (HME & HGE), Bartonella, and Mycoplasma. It is estimated that 60% of people who have Lyme are co-infected. It may affect treatment choice and progress. It is important to be tested for these by a Lyme reputable lab such as IgeneX in Palo Alto, CA.
If you need a doctor recommendation, let us know.
Some people, including myself, have Lyme and a thyroid disorder. It is a double whammy!
It is also important to learn as much as possible. I recommend reading Dr. Joseph Burrascano's 2005 Diagnostic Hints and Treatment Guidelines For Lyme and Other Tick Borne Illnesses (on-line). He is one of the top Lyme doctors in the country, and many Lyme doctors follow his protocols. I also recommend the book "Everything You Need To Know about Lyme Disease
(2nd edition)" by Karen Vanderhoof-Forschner.
Ticker:
Thanks for the response. ******* did the test. I am in the process of finding a new doc. "Am firing" the old one since she wasn't up to date on the thyroid issue - turned out to be cancer. Last year was tough!
Anyway, I looked on this site and found a listing for a doctor in my area NORTHERN VIRGINIA, but her practice is full. So, any suggestions for the DC, Virginia area would be great.
Your list was great. You know, many of those symptoms are associated with the thyroid. Interesting. That's why I initially thought my levels were off.
Hi Kathy. I am very sorry you had cancer. I hope it is better.
I have found that finding a knowledgeable thyroid doctor is almost as hard as finding a knowledgeable Lyme doctor! Yes many symptoms of both can overlap.
I have heard conflicting things about Dr. Z. in VA. The Lyme doctors I know of in the MD/DC area are Dr. Kenneth Singleton in Towson, MD; Dr. Mark Garzon in DC; and Dr. Elizabeth Lucas in Timonium, MD. Dr. Singleton comes highly recommended. All I know about the others is that they are supposed to be knowledgeable.
