\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Because it can take some time for your body to produce antibodies, this test isnt always accurate soon after a person is infected. For more details, see: Recommendations for Test Performance and Interpretation from the Second National Conference on Serologic Diagnosis of Lyme Disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention In this case the person gets a Lyme disease diagnosis and starts treatment. This article will proffer answers to these and many other related questions. So, how do you know for sure that you have Lyme disease? The lymphs blood test is not specific, so a diagnosis cannot be determine by a simple count. Some people with Lyme disease never develop a rash, so the absence of a rash does not mean that you don't have Lyme disease. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. Most certainly, you should get tested if you suspect that a tick has bitten you. Yes, it is possible for Lyme disease tests to deliver false positive results. However, testing for Lyme disease in a more controlled environment such as a lab or clinic is preferable as qualified healthcare professionals are likely to perform a more reliable test. This typically must be requested by your doctor. The Western blot test has been part of the two-step testing system since 1994 and is more commonly used. If a patient with Lyme disease shows signs that the central nervous system has been affected by the disease, western blot testing on the cerebrospinal fluid can be performed. Other Lyme Disease Tests. Interpret your laboratory results instantly with us. Your doctor may not immediately suspect Lyme disease if your condition has progressed to a later stage. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. The process tests your blood for evidence of antibodies your body produces to resist spirochete bacteria, which causes Lyme disease.XResearch source Your health care provider will first review your symptoms. ), Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium calledBorrelia burgdorferi. Home DNA Test Kits, Total Results Shampoos, Total Results Conditioners, There are small amounts of NA in cooking fats, vegetable oils and borage oil. For more information about this message, please visit this page: CDC 24/7: Saving Lives. There are 9 bands linked to Lyme disease: 18, 23, 24, 25, 31, 34, 37, 39, 83, and 93. Some doctors prefer using the Western blot for suspected late-stage cases because it can provide additional information to help determine if you have Lyme disease. The location of the darker bars in your test result determines whether you likely have Lyme disease. (Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.). Antibodies normally persist in the blood for months or even years after the infection is gone; therefore, the test cannot be used to determine cure. For example, can it affect AntiNuclear Antibody test, AntiPhospholipid Antibody tests, Factor VII test, Activated Protein C tests, Lymphocytes (Lymphs) test?? The C6 test is a preliminary blood test that detects antibodies against a very specific protein called C6. Above normal range: globulin, chloride, and carbon dioxide. Also Check: Chance Of Lyme Disease From Deer Tick. This means none or few antibodies to Lyme disease were seen in your blood . All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you have been traveling, your doctor might test you for species of Borrelia that cause Lyme disease in other parts of the world. Lyme disease blood test is used to determine if you have contracted Borrelia burgdorferi (B. burgdorferi), the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. The tick can make you seriously ill with Lyme disease. The chances are great that you will see a full recovery. Both of these blood tests measure the presence of antibodies that form in your body if you are infected with . But up to 30% of people who get Lyme disease never get a rash. Recognizing Untreated Lyme Disease and Getting Treatment, Lyme Disease Facts and Statistics: What You Need to Know. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. In other words, about 20% of vaccinated dogs can still become infected with Lyme disease. The skin is cleaned, and then a larger needle is inserted, drawing out CSF. Laboratory testing CDC currently recommends a two-step testing process for Lyme disease. Lyme disease diagnosis typically is based on your medical history and current symptoms, not the results of your blood test. Blood testing alone cannot determine whether you have Lyme disease. There are 9 bands linked to Lyme disease: 18, 23, 24, 25, 31, 34, 37, 39, 83, and 93. Bars in the numbered bands linked to Lyme disease means you may have Lyme disease. Research source If you've been bitten by a tick, it's normal to feel nervous that you might have contracted Lyme disease. Triglycerides are 703. A bulls-eye rash at the bite location is a trademark symptom of Lyme disease, but only about half of the people who are infected with the bacteria develop the rash. However, your doctor may diagnose Lyme disease with fewer positive bands, depending on your symptoms and other factors. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. It is important to know that both types of vaccines are only about 80% effective in preventing Lyme disease. (If you were previously diagnosed with Lyme disease and could have been reinfected, a positive Lyme test may not be helpful because it is difficult to distinguish between current and previous infections using currently available tests.). By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Read Also: Lyme Disease Flare Up Treatment. Abnormal results can suggest particular diseases including vitamin B12 deficiency or blood cancers. of Health and Human Services It is not until 4 to 6 weeks have passed that the test is likely to be positive. Clinicians should consider the likelihood of disease before performing laboratory testing. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. Pain medicines from the drug store can help soothe your joint stiffness. This is because people who have never been exposed to the bacteria that causes the disease will not have any antibodies present. But the longer a tick stays attached to you, the more likely it is to transmit Borrelia burgdorferi , if the tick is a carrier. Lyme disease testing is usually ordered by a doctor and is used when there are signs or symptoms consistent with Lyme disease. Thank you for taking the time to confirm your preferences. The test checks your sample for antibodies that your immune system makes to fight the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. We take your privacy seriously. Symptoms of Lyme disease like fever and body aches can also be caused by other illnesses. Theyll also want to know about the symptoms youre having. MedlinePlus. There is no clear evidence that treatment is beneficial in patients with Lyme disease who exhibit only nonspecific symptoms. However, because some bands on the Western blot are more significant than others your doctor may decide you have Lyme disease even if your Western blot does not have the number of bands or specific bands recommended by the CDC. If the antibodies produced to fight Lyme disease are present, the solution will change color. If any of these tests come back as positive, then other samples will be used to track the stage of the disease to determine if it has reached the chronic infection stage. Diagnosis of Lyme disease. This will mean that their IgG blood test results will have a standard deviation in what is considered as normal because of the presence of the disease, even if it has been effectively cured.. In regions where Lyme disease is not prevalent, it is usually up to the patient to insist on receiving the Lyme disease blood test. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website. You should not need to go back to the lab. Are you at increased risk of abnormal blood clots? There is a two-step process recommended by the CDC to test for Lyme. Figures from the Center for Disease Control suggest that roughly 300,000 Lyme disease cases occur every year in the US. Johns Hopkins Medicine. IgM antibodies are usually made by your body when the infection is new and recent, while IgG antibodies are usually made some weeks later. Talk to your health care provider about the meaning of your specific test results. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. My doctor has gone home and I'm up really worried. Most Lyme disease patients have co-infections of other diseases, which have their own testing and diagnostic procedures. This is because the healthcare provider must collect cerebrospinal fluid (CSF); collecting CSF only takes a few minutes, but you may be asked to lie down for some time afterward to prevent a headache. Your blood sample will be sent to a laboratory and the blood will be introduced to a testing solution. Antibodies are proteins created by the immune system that target specific threats like bacteria and viruses. How quickly will the antibiotics work, and how do I take them properly? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 19,889 times. When an illness strikes, the body creates antibodies to combat the invader. Following a blood draw, you may have some residual pain and need to ensure the injection site is not infected. Showing results for 19004. Their doctor does a standard two-step blood test, and both are positive. The Lyme disease blood test looks for antibodies in the blood to the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. You might also see "++" or "+++" representing very strong responses. In these consultations, its essential that youre open with your practitioner and that you learn as much as you can about your condition from them. Recommended Reading: Do All Deer Ticks Have Lyme Disease. When a Western blot test is used for Lyme disease, it checks to see if blood contains any IgG and IgM antibodies. Make sure to use your consultations with the healthcare provider wisely; these professionals are excellent resources of information, and theyre working for you. How will my doctor test me for Lyme disease? More invasive and impactful are CSF tests, which require lumbar puncture. While making a fist, youll feel a pinch as a needle is inserted and blood is drawn into a test tube. Use this guide to speak with your doctor about your concerns and discuss what the results may mean for your health. Well, Lyme can cause low WBC, but it's Babesia and Anaplasmosis that can cause low RBC- from what I've read. Tests generally range from $35 to $100 and are not covered by insurance. It is also possible that a person may not notice a rash before it goes away. Lyme disease test kits can cost as less as $20 and as much as $100 or more. Ticks are important because they can carry diseases such as Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, Colorado tick fever, Lyme disease, and others. Just pick your Lyme disease test and place your order online. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. It is a very important fatty acid in the white matter of the brain and is responsible for nerve cell myelin biosynthesis. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. New tests may be developed as alternatives to one or both steps of the two-step process. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>

\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Read-Lyme-Test-Results-Step-13.jpg\/v4-460px-Read-Lyme-Test-Results-Step-13.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Read-Lyme-Test-Results-Step-13.jpg\/aid9866153-v4-728px-Read-Lyme-Test-Results-Step-13.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"