For those who are 100% sure they have Lyme, what's your CD57 #

My new doctor says my CD57 of 38 is a significant sign in the direction of Lyme even though I only have one band on Igenex. I just don't know. I have many other hormone problems that could be causing my symptoms (profound fatigue etc) but just don't seem to have Lyme symptoms and of course don't remember a bite.

Thanks.

Thanks much for the reply.

I have been sick for 14 years and when I first got sick I did have EBV. The last test about 3 years ago showed some antibodies but not horrible. I have a feeling you are right though. I would lean toward the viruses before Lyme but my doc, who seems to be VERY good, says that the only thing CD57 is used for is Lyme. I do not think I agree. I have read otherwise. I also have some antibodies for HHV6 and 7. I've had the a hole bunch of viruses test. What you mentioned and some others. All along the lines of the Standford CFS criteria. BTW, my doc only deals with CFS, Fibro, Hormone problems and viruses etc that goes with CFS.

If you can point me to anything online that talks about CD57 being used for other things, I sure would appreciate it.

Thanks again.

BP:

My Dr used the CD57 as an additional test to confirm lyme. And a low CD57 like yours usually indicates an older infection, as it took time to run down your immune system. Mine was 60. MY new LLMD says that is on the low side of normal, however, most healthy peoples' numbers are closer to 100 and much higher. The CD57 is specific to Lyme. I've read it used in illessness like AIDS, but there is another CD number generally used for that, and another (CD56, I believe) used for chronic fatigue.

BP, what band showed positive on your WB?

As CG says, we cannot diagnose lyme for you, but all the viruses and hormone problems you and she named are common w/ LYme as well. My new LLMD has been treating Lyme, as well as all other infectious diseases for over 20 yrs. And he is still doing research. AS for the viruses, diseases like fibro and CFS, he said it is very difficult to determine which caused which.

Lyme does damage our immune system, but the others do also. So it's entirely possible that those of us who end up w/ chronic lyme have compromised immune systems, for whatever reason, that prevented our bodies from fighting the Lyme.

I will go back and look at your symptoms again, but again, it is possible to use the CD57 for something else, but NOT a number of things, and it really is pretty specific to Lyme. I think whatever band was positive on your WB would be very significant in your case.

BP, there is so much you (and we) are dealing with that cause such profound fatigue. Lyme causes fatigue. It attacked my thryroid and adrenals which cause fatigue. I have chronic mono right now, that causes fatigue.

Right now, My LLMD has decided to start w/ abx, because I had 60 days of abx and noted some improvement afterwards. Not to say that that will cure everything, but you have to start somewhere and see where it leads. This is his method, since everyone is so different and because it is not clear what caused what.

But, oh, yes he's going to treat my thryroid because that is a definite problem. Just treating your thyroid can offer some improvement as well.

Have you started any treatment for your thyroid?

It is all very complicated, but again, I think you can see a direction that needs to be explored here.

My sons CD57 has remained low for a yr now. The lowest was 19.  The latest 21.  I would be thrilled if it were 38 or 39. That is normal for some.  My mom is healthy and hers has alway been at 39.

CajunGRl, I apologize profusely if I am the one to whom you have directed your defense. NO ONE here is challenging you beliefs or knowledge.

I sincerely hope that this is a discussion and not a debate.

However, it is a fact that the CD57 generally indicates Lyme if those numbers are low, and not other diseases. NOT in ALL cases, of course, but generally.

I don't believe anyone here has given BP poor advice. No one here has attemped to diagnose him or her. WE have only advised that it appears visiting an LLMD is in order.

AND, certainly NO ONE here has advised treatment for an illness we don't know about.

I just feel that BP needs to go on and visit the LLMD who will be able to chart the symptoms, order and interpret the proper tests, etc. Altho Lyme cannot ever be ruled out, lab tests CAN, in fact, lead one in certain directions w/ the hope certain diseases, infections and syndromes out.

AND with the help of a reputable, genuine LLMD, I believe that BP CAN, in fact, be pointed in the right direction.

O

Lyme,

It wasn't directed at anyone. i just felt like I had to be clear in what I was trying to say.

My IgA is high. Total IgG is normal, but subclass 2 is high. IgM is normal.

Here is a PDF with general information about the CD-57 test (jump to Page 8). http://www.ilads.org/lyme_disease/B_guidelines_12_17_08.pdf

The jury is still out on whether CD-57 is specific to Lyme or not. Some doctors believe that it is, some don't. Hence, the controversy. It's also possible that the CD-57 count is specific to Lyme but that other conditions may contribute to how accurate the test is.

One use for the CD-57 test is to track the progress of the infection. If antibiotic treatment eliminates the symptoms, but the CD-57 count is still low, there seems to be a much greater chance of a relapse to occur once you're off the antibiotics.

I just wanted to add that I had a low (21) CD-57 also and I was seeing Dr. H in New York. He told me he doesn't use this test and didn't really care what my number was. I had it done two other times by my other doctor and they were 38 and 60. It never got any higher and I never felt any different. The 38 was after I had been on abx for 30 months.

I also suffer from chronic fatigue and only had band 41 on my testing (3 tests at different times). Never had any other band show. My doctor finally told me he thought I was dealing with some type of virus attack...so I am no longer being treated.

I think just like any other tests..some doctors use them and some don't.

 

Hi, just wanted to add my 2cents, my CD57 was 34 that was after finishing my Dr. Zhang's protocol.  KO

Mine was in the low 40s, but I can't remember the exact number.

By the way, I too have EBV, CMV, etc.....chronic Lyme patients frequently have high viral loads because Lyme actually damages your immune system and makes it less effective against invaders.

I'm interested in learning about this too. I only recently had the CD 57 testing and came up at 56 - just below low normal. But what does that mean functionally? Do people with a low number have a greater chance of becoming infected with viruses and other things? Or is it just another marker that may indicate Lyme or some other health problem?

Rose