Low CD57 and High C4a - Does this mean Lyme? Or Mold?

Good morning,

A non LLMD surgeon ordered a CD57 and C4a test for me through labcorp to see if I had any "biotoxin illness".

CD57 came back as 7 (ref. range 60-360)
C4a came back 972 (ref range 0-650)

Unfortunately the doctor that ordered these tests wasn't able to interpret them! I have also had HLA genetic testing done and know that I am susceptible to both Lyme and Mold (however that doesn't mean I've actually been exposed).

Do the tests above, when out of range, mean Lyme? Thanks for your help--I haven't been able to get a Dr to order any Lyme testing for me yet.

Cd57nk is an immune strength number.
Not sure what that number has to do with biotoxins. But your number is low, and would be interpreted as a weak immune system. But it is a very unreliable test that most doctors don't put much stock in.

Your c4a number range is different than my LabCorp range. Mine from last December was range 0-2830. So I'm not sure what that difference is.

The biotoxins tests most commonly used are tgfb 1, vegf, msh, and c4a. There is a follow-up test called vip.

Have you had Lyme testing? Many mold and Lyme symptoms are very similar.


Welcome to the community! I'd like to encourage you to read the New to Lyme thread.

Let us know what we can do to help with information.

Post Edited (Purrrsiankitty) : 6/19/2017 7:49:28 PM (GMT-6)

Welcome Kermit -

May I ask what prompted this testing? Do you have symptoms consistent with LD?

If you're wondering if you have LD - you should get testing done for LD.


Are you in Europe?

We encourage new members to read the thread "New To Lyme?...Start Here!"

I hadn't considered Lyme disease until I saw a surgeon for pelvic pain as a last resort and he mentioned biotoxin illness and did the tests above.

Pelvic pain is my #1 complaint, #2 would be some mystery symptoms that occur together and then go away like headache, facial flushing, loss of appetite, along with some other TMI for a message board female symptoms that I just kind of thought were hormonal or endocrine related. Dr also ordered gut tests and well, that's a mess, so he said that could cause some of the mystery symptoms too--it basically feels like I'm coming down with the flu when they act up.

I don't know what to do!

Hi Kermit,
I would encourage you to get in to see a LLMD for evaluation or at least have a Western Blot for Lyme done. Your symptoms and the results of your above testing at this point do indicate that you could have Lyme.

One of the better labs for this is Igenex. If you can find a doctor that will sign the request, you can have the blood drawn from any place that is willing to send it in the manner required (read instructions closely). I believe the results will be mailed to the doctor that signs the request form, and you can get the results from them. Do be sure to get your own copy of the results though.

We can help you interpret them when they come in.