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Positive IGM and negative IGG in chronic lyme?

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Posted 9/7/2017 2:20 PM (GMT -5)
I was tested for Lyme and co-infections through the igenex lab. My GP just called and said the test results for co-infections were negative, Western Blot IGG was negative but IGM was positive. My GP says IGM is only an indicator of an early infection and is not reliable.
I have been sick for over 2 years, I've been tested for anything imaginable and always came back negative. This is the first time I've tested positive in anything, and i get told it likely doesn't mean anything. I'm still waiting to get the full test results on paper myself in my mail, so i can look at all the bands and see which bands i tested positive on.
I'd like your inputs on this, have any of you with chronic lyme had similar test results?
Posted 9/7/2017 2:54 PM (GMT -5)
You have a positive Lyme test. That's huge. They've pretty much thrown away the old concept of IGG means long term infection and IgM means new infection. Since Lyme suppress your immune response and the test is looking for antibodies who's to say when your body had the ability to create the antibodies? I know when I was bite, just didn't realize what a bullseye was. By the time I figured it out and got tested it was 16 months later. I had Lyme specific bands on my IgG test but was CDC positive on my IgM test. GP's aren't informed enough on Lyme. Get a copy of your test.

You need to now find a specialist. Your results mean a whole lot. You have Lyme and likely a co infection or two. The co infection testing is horrid. Create another thread requesting help finding a LLMD in your area.
Posted 9/7/2017 2:58 PM (GMT -5)
Many , of us with chronic lyme get an IGM positive. I was IgM positive after 14 months of symptoms.

Lyme isn't like other diseases.

LLMD Dr. J. (well-known, experience LLMD) even discusses it on his website. In a nut-shell...most diseases will seroconvert from Igm to IgG within weeks but with Lyme the conversion can take years.

Here is an excerpt from his website:

"In virtually all infections, the IgM class of antibody (immunoglobulin) appears first and therefore represents a marker for an early infection. In most immune models, the IgM antibody gives way to the well-known IgG antibody class, usually regarded as the major enduring antibody response in chronic infectious diseases or other immune models. In almost all infection models, after just a few weeks, the IgM antibody level wanes to the point of being non-detectable and does not recur. However, a confounding fact in Bb infections is that the IgM antibody may persist for years, a very unusual situation in most disease states. Logically, one would have to conclude that this reflects an ongoing reactivation or persisting and continually renewing infectious state of Bb infection. Most active diagnostic laboratories involved with LD tend to agree with this notion. Therefore, the Jemsek Specialty Clinic acknowledges that a persistently positive IgM antibody response may qualify as laboratory confirmation for an active LD case. "

jemsekspecialty.com/laboratory-testing-for-lyme-disease/

Show this to your Dr.

I was the same as you - after 14 months of nothing showing after scads of testing, imaging, specialist appts., lyme WB was positive.
I was fortunate that my GP accepted it...and supports my treatment with my LLND.
Posted 9/7/2017 3:04 PM (GMT -5)
I just noticed you are in Europe. Some of the very best Lyme clinics in the world are in Germany.
Posted 9/7/2017 3:43 PM (GMT -5)
Traveller did share information on LLMD's in Europe with TheJay a few months ago.
Posted 9/7/2017 4:28 PM (GMT -5)
Glad to hear you've got an appt. scheduled.

Let us know how it goes
Posted 9/8/2017 5:47 AM (GMT -5)
You very well could have a few lyme specific or IND on IGG too. Will be interesting to see your results.
Posted 9/8/2017 1:05 PM (GMT -5)
TheJay -

Good responses already. I also had negative IgG, but was CDC-positive for IgM--yet I had contracted Lyme 16+ years before I finally got tested. Luckily, my LLMD knew to ignore the ridiculous CDC/IDSA "rules" for testing and diagnoses, which mean nothing, and we started treating.

The lie that a IgM means anything specific, particularly with a stealthy pathogen that disrupts all normal immune function (which is what these serology tests measure), is yet another ploy by The Powers That Be to produce as few positive Lyme diagnoses as possible.

The CDC's Lyme testing protocol is designed as part of their surveillance data criteria, which tracks disease trends--the surveillance data criteria was not designed for diagnosis. Why does the CDC still promote it as the ONLY "approved" methodology for Lyme testing? You may not want to know the answer.

The CDC does tell MDs not to use the test results solely for diagnosis and to clinically diagnose Lyme, but that directive is buried on the website and most MDs have no clue it's there, or choose to ignore it and follow the limited test results and sometimes they intentionally do this so that they don't have to "get involved" in a controversial Lyme case. This is 100% against their hippocratic oath. They can likely be sued for this but I haven't looked into that, specifically...

Some MDs honestly have no idea how to clinically diagnose Lyme. Some are too lazy to learn. For whatever reason, it's best to stay clear of these 3 types of MDs.

And, since your MD is giving you bad info, he/she is not qualified to effectively diagnose you and is certainly unqualified to treat you effectively.

You should probably try to set up an appt with a different LLMD ASAP - they are often hard to get into. Or maybe two - in case the first one isn't a good "fit".

-p

Post Edited (Pirouette) : 9/8/2017 12:11:04 PM (GMT-6)

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