| Re: Positive Western Blot, no symptoms
"but I do have an auto-immune disease (graves) and I am worried that maybe that is why I am testing positive."
Jobeth, I do not have much experience with lyme, but I do have Graves disease. Question...is your graves confirmed with antibody tests? The antibodies that cause Graves disease are TSI (Thyroid Stimulating Immunogobulin, this is the one mine was confirmed and tracked with) and/or TRAB II (can't remember what this one stands for). Just having hyperthyroidism does not necessarily mean one has Graves disease (though some drs refer to them synonimously). There are many other reasons one may be hyperthyroid.
Having said that, Graves is caused by specific antibodies that attack the thyroid. My understanding is the Western Blot tests are picking up seperate antibodies, antibodies that are found in Lyme Disease. I would not discount your postive results on the Western Blot. If you are concerned with your drs opinion, then consult another LLMD, but don't ignore the results. And just the fact that you do have an autoimmune disease may be considered by some as a "symptom" of lyme disease. So you may have symptoms but don't recognize them. That is why it is SO important to have a dr that REALLY understands the many faces Lyme Disease can present.
Hope this helps. And, as always, if I am wrong someone please correct me.
Best wishes,
Hyperkim
__________________
Hyperthyroidism 11/05
Confirmed Graves Dx 1/06
Adrenal fatigue Dx 8/06
Fibromyalgia Dx 1/08
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Dx 1/08
Last edited by hyperkim; 09-06-2011 at 02:56 PM.
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and had to get a spinal tap. He also ordered the Lyme disease blood at that time. The spinal tap was negative for Lyme and I do not have any symptoms and my graves I get tested every 3months. I just feel like the dr. is merely looking at my blood work to diagnose and that does not seem accurate. Trying to get 2nd opinion but hard getting appointments and al lthe while I just want to have a baby 
