Igenex results - need help interpreting

Hi Tunaaa,
Lyme inhibits the immune system, so it can't react like the CDC and those that aren't really Lyme literate think it should. Those tests are practically useless once chronic Lyme sets in.

You have Lyme specific bands that are showing up positive, and since there is only one way for that to happen (having the Lyme bacteria in your blood), it's kind of goofy for them to say that you don't have enough bands to be positive and need treatment.

The Igm will show up any time your body is trying to fight the infection, not just in the early stages.

As for your test results, here is the site that I use to help interpret them:www.reocities.com/HotSprings/Oasis/6455/western-blot.txt

An IgM result means that you have an active infection. It once was thought to mean an 'early' infection, but has since been revised. IgG means that the infection is at a later stage. The more +'s you have beside a number, the stronger the reaction.

IND means indeterminate - not negative, but not quite strong enough to be "fully positive". But it means that you reacted on those bands and should be considered, especially when they are Lyme specific bands.

A "Lyme specific band" means specific for Borrelia Burgdorferi, sensu stricto - Lyme disease in the strictest sense. There is only one on the over 300 known strains of Lyme that is considered Bb, ss. Nothing else will turn a Lyme specific band positive other than Lyme disease.

Bands 18 & 41 (whether in IgM or IgG) are indicative of the tail of the bacteria, which can cross react with other Spirochetal bacteria such as Relapsing Fever, Pintas and Yaws, and Syphilis.

Bands 31, 34, and 39 are all Lyme specific - so you have Lyme and an ILADS trained LLMD will know this. I can explain what each of those bands represent if you are interested, or you can look them up on the site I linked to above.

Band 58 is thought to represent Borrelia Afzelii - a European strain of Lyme.

The other bands that you are showing positive for are not Lyme specific though.

To find a LLMD, you can contact ILADS for a Physician Referral:

ilads.org/ilads_media/physician-referral/


You can also start another thread titled: "Looking for LLMD in/near________" and fill in the blank.

Other members can send you names via your email.

Tunaa - You are Igenex positive regardless of the band 31 - you have enough positive bands for Igenex to say it's positive.

The only time Band 31 is questioned - is when there aren't enough other positive bands with it. But, then Igenex calls it Indeterminate.
I know this because it happened to my husband - I think he had band 31 plus one other band positive and a few IND's. Igenex suggested to do the Epitope test.

This test determines whether the band 31 antibody is due to Bb or not. In my husband's case, it was.

But, you definitely have enough bands, thus the Igenex positive result.

I wouldn't question it...if those were my results.