What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're experiencing sudden muscle weakness, numbness, or trouble moving your arms and legs, especially after a recent stomach illness. It looks for a specific antibody linked to a rare nerve condition called acute motor axonal neuropathy, a variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome. It's often used when someone has fast-progressing weakness and needs answers about the underlying cause.

What happens after I get my results?

Your results will show up in your account along with an explanation of what a positive or negative result means. If your result is positive, it's important to seek medical care right away since this condition can progress quickly and may need urgent treatment. You can download a standard lab report from your account at any time, and if you're retested later, you'll be able to compare results side by side using the trends feature.

Who should consider this test?

This test is a good option for people who have developed rapid muscle weakness, especially starting in the legs and moving upward, after a recent bout of food poisoning or diarrheal illness. It's also useful for anyone with unexplained nerve symptoms whose recent history includes a Campylobacter jejuni infection. If you or someone close to you is showing these warning signs, this test can help identify the cause faster.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

Watch for muscle weakness that starts in the legs and spreads upward, tingling or numbness, and difficulty walking or breathing. These symptoms often appear days to weeks after a stomach bug or food-related illness. If weakness is severe or affecting breathing, this is a medical emergency and you should seek care immediately rather than waiting on test results.

What is acute motor axonal neuropathy and why does it matter?

Acute motor axonal neuropathy is a condition where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the nerves that control muscle movement, causing weakness that can worsen quickly. It's a variant of Guillain-Barre syndrome and is sometimes triggered by a prior infection like Campylobacter jejuni. Catching it early matters because prompt care can prevent the weakness from becoming severe or affecting breathing.

What does a positive result mean?

A positive result means the antibody linked to this nerve condition was found in your blood, which supports a diagnosis of acute motor axonal neuropathy. This finding, combined with your symptoms, helps confirm what's causing muscle weakness. Because this condition can progress fast, a positive result should prompt you to seek medical care right away.

What causes this antibody to appear?

This antibody typically develops after certain infections, most commonly Campylobacter jejuni, a bacteria often picked up from undercooked poultry or contaminated water. The infection can trigger the immune system to produce antibodies that mistakenly target nerve tissue. Not everyone who gets this infection develops the antibody or nerve symptoms, but it's a known trigger.

How often should I retest?

This isn't a routine test you'd repeat regularly — it's typically done once when nerve symptoms first appear. If your first result is negative but symptoms continue or worsen, retesting or additional evaluation may help clarify what's going on. Track any repeat results over time using the trends feature in your account.

What should I do if my results are abnormal?

If your result is positive, treat it as urgent and seek medical care promptly, since this condition can affect breathing and mobility if untreated. Keep a record of when your symptoms started and how they've progressed to share during care. Avoid waiting to see if symptoms improve on their own, since early action makes a real difference.

How can I support nerve health while I wait for care?

While this antibody itself isn't something you can fix with lifestyle changes, supporting overall nerve health with a balanced diet rich in B vitamins, staying hydrated, and getting rest can help your body cope. Avoid alcohol and smoking, which can worsen nerve irritation. These steps are supportive only and are not a substitute for urgent medical attention if you have severe weakness.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

How do I know which test to get?

In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option. Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

When will my lab results be available?

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know. After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop! If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you. Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you. There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out. Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Do you accept health insurance?

Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

GD1a Antibody Test - Guillain-Barre Syndrome Screening

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

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