\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The process tests your blood for evidence of antibodies your body produces to resist spirochete bacteria, which causes Lyme disease.XResearch source Your health care provider will first review your symptoms. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. If youve been outside in an area where ticks are known to live, you should tell your doctor. Because the first test may not pick up antibodies soon after possible exposure to Lyme disease, that means a person with Lyme may never get the second test. For patients and doctors, being aware of the many factors that can influence Lyme disease lab tests can better inform your perspective and reliance on the results. Heres a quick rundown of what you need to know: Blood tests are very easily tolerated and require little in the way of preparation; however, much more is involved when getting ready for a CSF test. To allow the vertebrae to separate as much as possible, youll be asked to sit or lie down on your side and arch your back. Laboratory tests can support a clinical diagnosis, but should not be used on their own to confirm or rule out a current Lyme disease diagnosis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. Cholesterol HDL is 10.1. Columbia University Press, 2018. If you're already experiencing flu-like symptoms, a false-negative result from blood tests is likely. Though the overall risk of the procedure is minimal, there are some occasional complications, including: It's unsafe to have a lumbar puncture if there is inflammation at the intended site of injection, an increased risk of uncontrolled bleeding, or if pressure within the skull (intracranial pressure) is too high. Use this guide to speak with your doctor about your concerns and discuss what the results may mean for your health. Late detection can lead to severe health problems such as arthritis, heart blockage, and inability to concentrate, among other problems. Your full medical history, including previous unexplained symptoms that may help lead to an accurate diagnosis whether that ends up being Lyme or another condition. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Lyme disease can be particularly difficult to detect or treat because the bacteria can actually create a shell which prevents the antibodies from attacking it. This can happen with tests like the ELISA, PCR test, and Western blot. Youll undergo physical evaluation, focusing on blood clotting ability. In addition, these tests can lead to false positives or require additional testing for confirmation. 1. Therman New Member Joined : Nov 2012 Posts : 13 After a thorough clinical evaluation, the cause of the symptoms remains unresolved. Cleve Clin J Med. If you have CSF testing using lumbar puncture, you should expect to feel fatigued and seek rest for about 24 hours afterward. I think it's easier to get a diagnosis for Lyme if you test for it right away. The process tests your blood for evidence of antibodies your body produces to resist spirochete bacteria, which causes Lyme disease. Antibodies are proteins created by the immune system that target specific threats like bacteria and viruses. When all three tests are positive, then Lyme disease is likely. However, testing for Lyme disease in a more controlled environment such as a lab or clinic is preferable as qualified healthcare professionals are likely to perform a more reliable test. Of these, a large proportion are capable of carrying disease. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Laboratory Services Handbook: B. Burgdorferi (Lyme). If you have ehrlichiosis or anaplasmosis, the following results are likely found from blood tests: Low count of white blood cells, which are disease-fighting cells of the immune system; Low count of blood platelet cells, which are essential for blood-clotting; Elevated liver enzymes that may indicate abnormal liver function; Tests of your blood . Last Updated: July 20, 2022 If you saved the tick that bit you, you can send it to a lab to see if it was carrying any bacteria or viruses. Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These cookies allow us to count visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site. The good news is that usually a tick has to be attached to your body for 24 to 36 hours to infect you. Blood testing alone cannot determine whether you have Lyme disease. In patients with clinical findings typical of Lyme disease, a complete blood cell count (CBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and liver function tests generally are Test results may take 4-7 business days. But, this does not confirm a diagnosis of Lyme disease. Don't be afraid to insist on an initial screening to rule it out if it's something that worries you. A C 6 antibody level > 30 U/mL is considered clinically significant and consistent with a clinical Lyme disease infection. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Optimal Result: 0 - 0.9 index. Showing results for 19004. In fact, a recent internal study showed exactly how easily tests could miss infections from species other than B. burgdorferi. If you've ever had problems with your joints before, discuss this with your doctor so they can rule out other conditions. If the first test comes back negative, the CDC does not recommend the second test. Just pick your Lyme disease test and place your order online. It is not until 4 to 6 weeks have passed that the test is likely to be positive. A negative test result is normal. A laboratory specialist looks for Lyme disease antibodies in the blood sample using the ELISA test. Beyond blood testing, it is possible to analyze fluid from the central nervous system for signs of the Borrelia bacteria. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013. If you do have Lyme disease, your body may build up sufficient antibodies by that point to be detected by a blood test. References. Lyme disease diagnosis typically is based on your medical history and current symptoms, not the results of your blood test. There is a two-step process recommended by the CDC to test for Lyme. The likelihood that a patient has a disease depends on many factors: Has a patient been in an area where the disease is found? By that time, Lyme disease is harder to treat, and long-term complications are more likely, so an early, accurate diagnosis is very important. Yes, it is possible for Lyme disease tests to deliver false positive results. Dogs that have a lower initial QC6 value may not show such dramatic reductions in the QC6 at six months, although the value should still be lower than the starting point if treatment has been successful. Complete Blood Count (CBC with Differential) This test measures cellular components of blood: White Blood Cell count (WBC): Low WBC (< 4,000) can indicate chronic infection with a virus or low-virulence bacteria such as mycoplasma, but it can also occur in healthy people. This does not mean that the test is bad, only that it needs to be used correctly. Bars in the numbered bands linked to Lyme disease means you may have Lyme disease. It is also possible that a person may not notice a rash before it goes away. Since results and interpretation of blood tests vary from lab to lab, ask your physician if it would be possible to send the blood to more than one lab. The traditional blood tests (PCR, ELISA, Western Blot, joint fluid analysis) for diagnosing Lyme disease have been replaced by two new tests called the C6 test and Quantitative C6 test (QC6). One of the challenges of Lyme disease, a bacterial infection transmitted by tick bite, is ensuring proper diagnosis. , vegetable oils and borage oil t check for the US, run by CDC. Trying to fight the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, a little too close to nature, other! Testing process for Lyme time to start producing these antibodies in the sample... Its normal to feel fatigued and seek rest for about 24 hours afterward other! Your Lyme disease, it is not intended to be attached to your body time start. To go back and make any changes, you should tell your about. 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