TESTING FOR LYME DISEASE
[PLEASE NOTE HIGHLIGHTED MATERIALS ARE LINKS TO ANOTHER SITE.]
Tests are the 'assessing of ' & 'evaluation for '-hopefully; "Bringing into darkness that which is hidden." This is another quite simple directive for new lyme patients and many others as you are trying to understand this entire process of how physicians and the patient learn they indeed have lyme. I am learning along with you as I research and ask questions as I live with my amazing husband (Brad) who is suffering greatly from Chronic Lyme, plus the typical co disease's: Borrelia. and Babesia.
Recall with me from my first blog that Lyme Disease is a clinical diagnosis. Clinical meaning: "the estimated identification of the disease underlying a patient's complaints based merely on signs, symptoms and medical history of..." [Clinical Diagnosis]
The Borrelia Burgdorferi (the spirochete infection of Lyme), can cause infections in many organs seen in a numerous amount of symptoms.
When tested for Lyme it will be the protein manifestations that help identify the disease and sometimes any co-disease that may follow.
When to test for Lyme?
-First if a patient does demonstrate the typical 'bulls-eye' rash, this is clear enough that Lyme is present and medications are then prescribed.
But, there are the; "FEWER THAN 50% OF PATIENTS WITH LYME DISEASE THAT RECALL A TICK BITE."
What are the test for this great number?
Doctors typically will order an ELISA test. According to ILADS (International Lyme And Associated Disease Society); "This TEST MISSES 35% OF CULTURE PROVEN LYME DISEASE (ONLY 65% SENSITIVITY) AND IS UNACCEPTABLE AS THE FIRST STEP OF A TWO-STEP SCREENING PROTOCOL. BY DEFINITION, A SCREENING TEST SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST 95% SENSITIVITY."
The ELISA & Western Blot tests (that are typically performed) measure the immune system's response to an infectious agent. They are strips containing the Lyme antigenic proteins.14 different proteins are allowed to diffuse on a specially prepared strip or Blot. "Of 28 possible bands, the standard CDC test, which is not a diagnostic test, reports only 13 out of a possible 28 bands." [Lyme MD]
Yet, there are alternative labs that do otherwise. IGeneX Laboratories report a test positive if a patient has 2 critical bands in the IgM or IgG subset."
Most lyme patients have already undergone a conglomeration of tests. My husband had scores of blood work, x-rays, CT's, MRI's. With this and all of his symptoms our Physician was able to make her diagnosis.
We would love to be able to still have the IGeneX test performed but the cost is quite grand. But, if anyone ask for my opinion this is where I would point them to.
By reading my last blog about the symptoms of Lyme Disease and the co-diseases that do accompany a great deal of the time; you can move to this step of testing. See a doctor, but don't be disheartened when the tests come back negative.
Find a Lyme Literate Doctor; http://www.lymeinfo.net/directory.html. You will have to travel, wait and pay more. But, it beats suffering and getting worse. We are richly blessed by our Doctor in the Indianapolis area.
Up-Date on Brad: Amazingly he is preaching on Sunday's with passionate fervor. Today he was only awake a few hours. I do see this Lyme depression getting to him. Quite different from his stable-like personality. The doctor finally prescribe a migraine prescription. Prayers are greatly appreciated. With him so ill he cannot work and we have been without an in-come for well over a year.
MUST READ:
* Understanding the Western Blot
* WHAT TEST(S) TO ORDER
* Basic Information About Lyme Disease
*DIAGNOSTIC HINTS AND TREATMENT GUIDELINES FOR LYME AND OTHER
TICK BORNE ILLNESSES http://www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/B_guidelines_12_17_08.pdf
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