WHAT IS LYME ELISA AND WESTERN BLOT TEST ?

The ELISA is a basic test and it is considered fairly inaccurate. It misses a lot of cases of Lyme disease. Timing of the ELISA is very important. If you get the test at the wrong time, either too early after a tick bite or too late, you will test falsely negative. Most LLMD's will not even run an ELISA test.

The Western Blot is a test that picks up "bands" which become reactive based on the presence of antibodies to Lyme in your system. The Western Blot is better than the Elisa, but it still isn't 100% accurate.

There are certain labs that are better for getting the Western Blot than others. Most notably, Igenex has the highest sensitivity according to most LLMD's. Igenex also includes more species specific bands than other labs. The CDC has eliminated some specific bands from it's criteria, therefore, many labs don't report on these bands as part of their results. If you were to test positive on certain bands, it would be highly likely that you have Lyme.

Even if you test negative on both, that doesn't mean that you absolutely do not have lyme disease. Some people do not produce antibodies, and sometimes the tests will not come up positive even though a person HAS lyme. Therefore, it's most important to find a doctor that can objectively evaluate your symptoms. Do you have a LLMD to see?

Another thing you want to look into is co-infections. There are many co-infections and many times someone who has been exposed to Lyme or has had a tick bite wiill also have at least one co-infection. Most of the co-infections respond to different medications or herbs than Lyme, so it's important to figure out which ones you have so you can treat them appropriately. This is another reason why a LLMD would be really important.

Another test that some doctors like to run is a CD57. In some people with Lyme, their CD57 is very low. Many doctors believe that Lyme is the only thing that can lower a CD57. Usually the low number occurs once Lyme has reached late stage or chronic form. Some people will not have a low CD57 even though they have lyme because certain co-infections can raise it. Therefore, if you have a low number, it means your likelihood of Lyme is high but if you have a normal or high number, it doesn't rule out Lyme completely.

So, when is the best moment to take a western blot test? In am in my second round treatment with antibiotics, my doctor said at the previous visit that I will have to take such a test, but he did not mention the exact date yet.
If I take the Wb while on antibiotics could it come back as a false result or something? I was diagnosed with lyme based on dark field microscopy, never had a Wb done because I did not had the money at that time and could not afford to do both tests...

Thanks for your answer summer3. I'm not very glad that I have to give up abx for 2 weeks in order to take the test. I guess I am worried that 'the bugs' might start replicating once I take such a break from the treatment.