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How do I get my western blot results? any ideas

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Posted 3/29/2016 1:51 AM (GMT -5)
So question for any one out there that knows. I was tested in Jan through mayo clinic labs for lymes including a western blot test. When I requested a copy of my lab reports from the hospital all I received for that test was the sheet that says igg none present and igm none present. It does not list the bands and positive or negative. Is there a certain way I need to ask for those records specifically so I can see the different band breakdown?
We will be retesting in 2 months after treating for suspected lymes, bartonella, and erlichia but I would be interested to see if it would get me any more info to show my llmd the actual bands and there reactivity.
And I see others post on here results and it shows all bands. Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Nick
Posted 3/29/2016 7:15 AM (GMT -5)
It sounds like you didn't get a complete Western Blot done - that's what happens when we use mainstream labs - even the one at Mayo.

IGeneX is really the best lab to use for Lyme testing.

And, no need to retest during treatment because you won't learn anything new.

The Western Blot test measures antibody response. Once a person tests positive for Lyme, they will often test positive in the future.

The presence or absence of symptoms determines whether or not a person has a case of active Lyme.

Is it your LLMD that wants more testing? If yes, I will not deny that I wonder about his/her knowledge...
Posted 3/29/2016 7:17 AM (GMT -5)
I would just ask if they did a western blot and if so where does it list the band results. Maybe they did not do a western blot?
Posted 3/29/2016 7:32 AM (GMT -5)
They do the two tier testing in conventional labs, (according to CDC guidelines). It looks like you only had the ELISA done...if the ELISA is negative they don't even do the Western Blot. Highly inaccurate.

www.cdc.gov/lyme/diagnosistesting/labtest/twostep/index.html
Posted 3/29/2016 9:57 AM (GMT -5)
That is exactly what I was going to say. My labcorp lyme test just says negative because it was just the Elisa. If it had of said positive, then they would have done the western blot. I find that just a way to get more money and still very unreliable.
Posted 3/29/2016 1:24 PM (GMT -5)
no I also had 2 negative elisa tests through my initial clinic. The third hospital that I went to told me they don't even use the elisa because of the inaccuracy so they did a lymes panel which included the western blot and here is what the paper read3
WESTERN BLOT IGG BANDS None Present
IGG INTERPRETATION Non-Reactive Non-Reactive
WESTERN BLOT IGM BANDS None Present
IGM INTERPRETATION Non-Reactive Non-Reactive

they also tested for other things like co-infections that all came back negative as well but looking through others western blot results I see it actually lists the bands and whether they are negative or positive. Also no my llmd said he normally would not even retest for any of them but treat based on symptoms alone and conformation testing would take place in 2 months if I wanted it. I am looking for them so that I can raise awareness in our local hospital and so I can have peace of mind as well. lymes is extremely prevalent in our area but no md's around here do any testing other than the two tiered and don't really believe there is chronic cases. so if I can raise awareness by going back to them with some positive tests and help some one else than it would be worth it.
Posted 3/29/2016 1:45 PM (GMT -5)
nberg - usually just about everyone has band 41, so it seems weird that it just says none present. Also, if by chance it was done through labcorp you can create an account on their web site and access tests you have had done through there. I guess it's worth trying but this doesn't look like Labcorp.
Posted 3/29/2016 1:49 PM (GMT -5)
It was actually drawn through Gunderson Lutheran hospital in Lacrosse WI but they use the Mayo Clinic lab in Rochester MN which I have heard even though they are in an endemic area of the country they are not great at reading these results.
Posted 3/29/2016 2:02 PM (GMT -5)
k07, I don't think that not having band 41 means there is something strange going on. When I was tested by Labcorp nearly two years ago, I had no bands present. I was tested there again a couple of months ago (more or less for my LLMD's curiosity) and still had no bands present. I've herxed on a couple of different herbal treatments, so I'm sure I have Lyme. I've never been tested by igenex. My LLMD uses Labcorp just to look for any smoking guns and then makes a clinical diagnosis.
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