Can anyone help me with Lyme lab results?

[azskier]

Hello, I just got some labs back from my doctor and he surprised me with Lyme Disease. I went in for some blood work for fatigue, headaches, tingling hands and a few other things. I do not know anything about LD and have read many conflicting things on the internet. I would love to hear opinions on my labs. They are as follows:

IgG Western Blot - IGeneX Inc.

IGENEX - IGG - RESULT NEGATIVE
CDC/NYS - RESULT POSITIVE

18 -
22 -
23-25 -
28 -
30 +
31 -
34 IND
39 -
41 ++
45 ++
58 +
66 +
73 -
83-93 IND

IGM results were both negative - a had negatives on all except 41 which was ++.

[ticker]

Hi azskier, welcome to the board!

Below is the breakdown of the Western Blot bands:

9 cross-reactive for Borrellia
12 specific for Bb
18 unknown
20 cross-reactive for Borrellia
21 unknown
22 specific for Bb, probably really the 23/25 band
23-25 outer surface protein C (OspC), specific for Bb
28 unknown
30 unknown; probably an outer surface protein; common in European and
one California strain
31 outer surface protein A (OspA), specific for Bb
34 outer surface protein B (OspB); specific for Bb
35 specific for Bb
37 specific for Bb
38 cross-reactive for Bb
39 is a major protein of Bb flagellin; specific for Bb
41 flagellin protein of all spirochetes; this is usually the first to appear after a Bb infection and is specific for all Borrellia
45 cross-reactive for all Borellia (sometimes people with Lyme who have
this band positive also have the co-infection Ehrlichiosis)
50 cross-reactive for all Borrellia
55 cross-reactive for all Borrellia
57 cross-reactive for all Borrellia
58 unknown but may be a heat-shock Bb protein
60 cross reactive for all Borrellia
66 cross-reactive for all Borrelia, common in all bacteria
83 specific antigen for the Lyme bacterium, probably a cytoplasmic membrane
93 unknown, probably the same protein in band 83, just migrates differently in some patients

First of all, no Lyme test is completely reliable. Some people who have Lyme test negative. The CDC requires several bands to show for it to be positive, but many people who have Lyme do not have this many bands. Lyme doctors often look at which bands are positive--some are specific for Lyme.

The IgM tests for a more recent infection, the IgG a longer standing one. Band 41 is often the first to show and yours is positive. Band 34 is a Lyme specific band and yours is IND.

It is very important to see a knowledgeable doctor. Many doctors do not understand Lyme and treat with outdated protocols. Lyme needs continuous, aggressive treatment. 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. Have you been tested for these? Sometimes people who have band 45 positive also have Ehrlichiosis. This was true in my case.

It is good your doctor tested you. You need to get treated. If you need a doctor recommendation, let us know.

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. 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.

Hang in there okay? Good help is available.

[azskier]

Thanks for the info. (although it is like a foreign language to me). My doctor is Dr. David Korn and from my understanding he is very passionate about Lyme. He had it himself. I have no idea what any of the coinfections are or what all the bands mean. We didn't talk much about my results yet, I will see him again next week and go over everything in detail. Thanks again and it looks like I have a long road of research ahead of me.

[sarah92202]

Originally Posted by azskier

Thanks for the info. (although it is like a foreign language to me). My doctor is Dr. David Korn and from my understanding he is very passionate about Lyme. He had it himself. I have no idea what any of the coinfections are or what all the bands mean. We didn't talk much about my results yet, I will see him again next week and go over everything in detail. Thanks again and it looks like I have a long road of research ahead of me.

Hi, welcome! Did he start you on antibiotics yet? make sure that he does test for all co-infections, you cannot get completely well if you have a co-infection and are only being treated for the lyme. also have him check adrenal and thyroid functions. Many of us here have one or both effected by Lyme and they must be treated also. To see the best results with treatment you need all system recovery that includes antibiotics for lymeand any co-infections, any hormone imbalances taken care of, probiotics to help the digestive system, because the antibiotics are so harsh, supplemets,magnesium, b-vitamins, ester-c, milk thistle helps the liver detox. Discuss all of this with your doc when you see him. some docs will suggest supplements and some will not, so bring it up to him, you should get a good response. I am so glad that you found a good doc who knew what to look for, many of us on the board searched for years to find out what was wrong with us. Keep us informed about your treatment and how you are doing, and ask us anything you need to know, we will help. Sincerely, Sarah

[cbsoapfan]

What does Cross Reactive to Borrelia mean?