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Igenex Results-would appreciate advice

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Posted 8/20/2015 2:13 AM (GMT 0)
I got my Igenex results today. I've had symptoms for around 10 months.

For igm, all was negative except for 41 was ind.

For Igg, all was negative except for:
41 ++
31 IND
39 IND

The overall results of both tests were negative.

Can anyone give me any insight? I am meeting with my LLMD on Monday. I have many symptoms. Thank you!

Post Edited (sinkingfun) : 8/19/2015 8:17:53 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/20/2015 4:34 AM (GMT 0)
Indeterminate (IND) means your body reacted, but the band intensity was below the calibration standard that is considered a "+".
But, it is still significant. So, count the IND bands as +.

Those test results plus lyme disease symptoms = lyme disease.

I am glad you are seeing your LLMD on Monday...

You should bring your symptom list and any questions you have - write them down...so you don't forget what you want to ask him.
I brought my husband with me...for my first appointment, for a second set of ears.

In the "New to Lyme...." thread at the top of the page, if you go to page 2, there is a list of questions to ask your LLMD. Maybe read through and see if there are some you might want to write down to ask.
Posted 8/20/2015 2:20 PM (GMT 0)
Sinking fun - fwiw - I had the same exact results from Igenex except that I had 41 and 58+ on IGG and my 41 band was +++ on IGG. I don't know what to think of the results but I started abx therapy because I figure I have less to lose if I am wrong than if I am right.... I am starting with conservative oral antibiotic therapy before I go to the heavy double dose and 2 abx at the same time which is typical treatment for chronic lyme.
Posted 8/20/2015 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
Hi sinking fun,

39 is a Lyme specific band unfortunately!
Posted 8/20/2015 2:37 PM (GMT 0)
I should mention that although blood work did not confirm it, I probably had lyme about 15 years ago.( I had the rash and other symptoms.)

1) I was only treated for 10 days and it cleared up. Is there any chance that this infection is the same one that resurfaced?

2) Would I even have igg antibodies like the ones I have if I had it that many years ago?

Thank you for your input.
Posted 8/20/2015 2:52 PM (GMT 0)
It's completely possible that the old infection resurfaced because 10 days of treatment is far from adequate.

I didn't have the rash but I did have a known nymph deer tick bite yet no symptoms.

As you can see from my signature, the treatment I received from my PCP wasn't enough (and that was 100mg BID doxycycline for 3 wks.)

Lyme and its coinfections have the unique ability to suppress the immune system - this means that the body becomes unable to mount an antibody response. It's very hard to sort through things when an older infection is involved.

The CDC website indicates that Lyme is a clinical diagnosis - based upon symptoms.

IgG antibodies indicate older infection and IgM usually means an active infection but, again, some people won't have reactive bands for one or both....and they still have Lyme)

Bottom line, you have Lyme that requires longer treatment than what you had in the past.

Please let us know how things go with the LLMD.
Posted 8/20/2015 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
As CD said, it is absolutely possible that the old infection has resurfaced, as that is what happens in Lyme. If it's not treated adequately the first time, I will continue to come back over and over again - or just take over your life once your body is dealing with enough other things.

I know that some of this information has already been posted, but I slept in (bad night with a dog who's in pain) and my brain is just barely awake enough to recognize when I spell something wrong!! LOL! So I'm sorry for any repeats:

As for your test results, here is the site that I use to help interpret them:www.reocities.com/HotSprings/Oasis/6455/western-blot.txt You can go there to find supporting Pubmed articles showing what these bands represent.
An IgM result means that you have an active infection. It once was thought to mean an 'early' infection, but has since been revised. IgG means that the infection is at a later stage. The more +'s you have beside a number, the stronger the reaction.
IND means indeterminate - not negative, but not quite strong enough to be "fully positive". But it means that you reacted on those bands and should be considered, especially when they are Lyme specific bands.
A "Lyme specific band" means specific for Borrelia Burgdorferi, sensu stricto - Lyme disease in the strictest sense. There is only one on the over 300 known strains of Lyme that is considered Bb, ss. Nothing else will turn a Lyme specific band positive other than Lyme disease.

Bands 18 & 41 (whether in IgM or IgG) are indicative of the tail of the bacteria, which can cross react with other Spirochetal bacteria such as Relapsing Fever, Pintas and Yaws, and Syphilis.

Band 31 indicates OspA (Outer Surface Protein "A") and is specific to Lyme. I know that there is some controversy to this, but there are supportive articles to this claim that it is Lyme specific and won't cross react:

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1520966


www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9440203


www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8406878


www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8005219


www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10030131


And more references can be found here:
www.reocities.com/HotSprings/Oasis/6455/western-blot.txt

Band 39 indicates BmpA (Bacterial Membrane Protein "A") and is specific to Lyme. References for this can also be found in the above link.

Please be sure that you let us know how your appt goes!!
Posted 8/20/2015 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. Words cannot describe how sick I feel right now. When I start to improve, I would love to give others advice.
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