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A Lyme disease antibody test panel includes tests to detect antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, which is carried and spread by ticks in wooded and grassy areas.
if left untreated or if treatment is delayed, it can lead to a range of complications that affect various parts of the body.
Common complications of Lyme disease include:
If you have noticed a skin rash, fever, joint pain and swelling, and swollen glands and think you might have been exposed to tick bites, you would benefit from Lyme disease testing.
Description
Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted by ticks. The screening test is high sensitivity for antibody detection. Immunoblot testing qualitatively examines with high specificity antibodies in a patient’s specimen. Immunoblot testing is appropriate for confirming a detected screening result. Lyme Disease Antibodies (IgG, IgM) Immunoblot Confirmation is ONLY performed when the Lyme Disease Antibody screening is positive.
Aids in the diagnosis of acute or chronic infection with the lyme disease agent.
Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bite of an infected tick. The disease often begins as a rash. If you don’t get treatment, the infection can cause serious nerve or heart problems as well as a disabling type of arthritis (pain and swelling in one or more joints caused by inflammation).
Combination of IgM and IgM/IgG testing has the potential to provide the earliest and the broadest time window for serological detection. Immunoblot confirmation is recommended for positive results and is ONLY performed when the Lyme Disease Antibody screening is positive.
The CDC currently recommends a two-step process when testing blood for evidence of antibodies against the Lyme disease bacteria. Both steps can be done using the same blood sample.
The first step uses a screening procedure. If this first step is negative, no further testing of the specimen is recommended. If the first step is positive or indeterminate (sometimes called “equivocal”), the second step should be performed. The second step uses a test called an immunoblot test. Results are considered positive only if the screening and the immunoblot are both positive.
The two steps of Lyme disease testing are designed to be done together. CDC does not recommend skipping the first test and just doing the Immunoblot. Doing so will increase the frequency of false positive results and may lead to misdiagnosis and improper treatment.
If the screening test is negative, the Immunoblot will not be performed and you will not receive the bands with your results.
A significant deviation from the normal range may require further evaluation by your physician.
Includes
Patient Instructions
Estimated turnaround for results is 7 business days. If confirmation testing is required, the estimated time may be extended.
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. This infection, if left untreated or if treatment is delayed, can lead to a range of complications that affect various parts of the body.
A Lyme disease test can help to accurately diagnose Lyme disease and allow doctors to provide appropriate treatment to help manage the symptoms and prevent complications of long lasting infection.
Lyme disease can cause a variety of symptoms, which may appear at different stages of the infection. Some of the common early symptoms of Lyme disease include:
If left untreated, Lyme disease can progress and lead to more severe symptoms, such as:
It’s important to note that not all individuals with Lyme disease will develop a rash, and some symptoms may not appear until weeks or months after the initial infection. If you suspect you may have Lyme disease, it is important to get a Lyme disease test promptly to receive appropriate treatment. Make sure to follow your doctor’s instructions thoroughly.
Lyme disease is primarily spread through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks (also known as deer ticks) that are commonly found in wooded and grassy areas. The ticks become infected with the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi when they feed on infected animals such as mice, deer, and birds.
Once infected, the ticks can transmit the bacterium to humans when they bite and feed on their blood. It is important to remove ticks promptly and to take preventative measures when spending time in areas where ticks are prevalent to reduce the risk of contracting Lyme disease. It is worth noting that Lyme disease cannot be spread from person to person.
Lyme disease is diagnosed through a lyme disease blood test that detects antibodies produced by the body in response to the bacteria that causes the disease.
Blood tests for lyme disease happen in two steps. The first step uses a screening procedure called Lyme Disease Antibody Test. If this first step is negative, no further testing of the specimen is recommended. If the first step is positive or indeterminate (sometimes called “equivocal”), the second step, a Reflex to Antibodies IGG & IGM Immunoblot test should be performed. Results are considered positive only if the screening and the immunoblot are both positive.
The two steps of Lyme disease testing are designed to be done together. CDC does not recommend skipping the first test and just doing the Immunoblot. Doing so will increase the frequency of false positive results and may lead to misdiagnosis and improper treatment.
If the screening test is negative, the Immunoblot will not be performed and you will not receive the bands with your results.
Experts recommend waiting at least two to six weeks after a tick bite to get tested for Lyme disease. A Lyme disease test that is done too soon after a bite may not detect the antibodies that the body produces in response to the bacteria, and result in false negative results.
Lyme disease blood tests can have false-positive and false-negative results, which means that they are not 100% accurate. However, using a combination of screening tests and immunoblot tests, as well as a complete study of clinical symptoms and history can increase the accuracy of the diagnosis.
Lyme disease cannot be diagnosed based on symptoms alone, as many of the symptoms are similar to other illnesses. A Lyme disease blood test is needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Yes, a Lyme disease test can have false-negative results, which means that the test does not detect the antibodies produced by the body in response to the bacteria. This can occur if the test is done too early.
Untreated or improperly treated Lyme disease can lead to complications, such as:
Getting a Lyme disease test in time and consequent appropriate and timely treatment can strongly reduce your chances of suffering from chronic Lyme disease complications.
Untreated or improperly treated Lyme disease can lead to complications, such as:
Getting a Lyme disease test in time and consequent appropriate and timely treatment can strongly reduce your chances of suffering from chronic Lyme disease complications.
Currently, there are no reliable urine tests for diagnosing Lyme disease. Lyme disease blood tests are the standard diagnostic method.
Usually, lyme disease test results are available within 7 business days after your blood sample is collected in the lab.
The standard treatment for Lyme disease is a course of antibiotics, usually doxycycline, amoxicillin, or cefuroxime, depending on the stage and severity of the disease. Early treatment is important to prevent complications and reduce the risk of long-term symptoms. However, it is important to note that you should always avoid self-medicating. Once you have your Lyme disease test results Your trusted physician can tell you which is the best course of action for your individual case.