Igenex is back - what next?

So Igenex is saying some of those bands can be something else, so there's this extra test for them to dig deeper to confirm lyme. They are not saying it's NOT lyme. But since you are positive for some other lyme specific bands + the lyme symptoms you've experienced, you have lyme.

I was IFA positive for lyme, had a couple lyme specific bands on the western blot but Igenex indeterminate overall. And my LLMD said the samething. She even said you don't have to take the extra "confirmation" test, these results plus symptoms, you have lyme.

Thank you so much for your responses! In a way I'm happy to determine what's causing all my symptoms...but on the other hand it's LYME and something is telling me this thing is not going away quick.

Girlie - question for you - your signature suggests extensive ABX treatment over few years time.
I created another post question regarding this - what is your experience with ABX treatment (I'm in the middle of multi-month, multi-abx treatment as directed by my LLMD). I'm seeing mixed results to be honest and I'm thinking about considering other options...thoughts?

PeteZa - She does have only the 31 and 41 present on IgM

The epitope confirmation test for band 31 will be done if those two are only present.


BUT, she doesn't need to have this done...she's got enough 'activity' on her test....as well as a clinical diagnosis.

PeteZa - The result is IND if you have a positive 31 and positive 41

so 31 +
and 41 +

(or more +)

that's an Indeterminate result. and that's what's on her test - Indeterminate

It says on the sheet:

"Indeterminate: If only bands 31 and 41kDa or 31 and 93 kDa or 31 and 93kDa are present
Confirmation test #488 for Indeterminate WB result is recommended."

I know this, because those are the two bands present on my husband's WB test....and he did the Epitope test and it changed his IND test result to a Positive test result.


I also know someone who phoned when they had an IND 31 and + 41 and asked if they could get the Eptiope test done...and Igenex said 'no'. It's not to determine the strength of the response (meaning - IND vs. +) - it's to determine if band 31 is actually from borrelia - they do a more sensitive test..to make sure it's not from EBV or prior vaccination.

I do not think it is helpful to members for us to argue this. Please get a verification from Igenex.

I was IND band 31 and IND band 41 IgM WB and they advised me to take the #488 because I was IND on those 2 bands.

I did not take that test. CD told me my symptoms were enough proof.

I think if anyone reads this they should do their own research and call Igenex and ask them, as I did.

I think the confusion here (peteza/girlie) is the INDETERMINATE OVERALL result vs. the band result being IND. I had the confirmation test on 31 which I was +++ on. 41was ++. The test just tells me if Borellia is making 31 positive. My understanding is they will not do the test if the BAND 31 itself is IND.

k07 said...
I think the confusion here (peteza/girlie) is the INDETERMINATE OVERALL result vs. the band result being IND. I had the confirmation test on 31 which I was +++ on. 41was ++. The test just tells me if Borellia is making 31 positive. My understanding is they will not do the test if the BAND 31 itself is IND.

Gosh darn, then I am super confused. I believe that they told you this but I also know what they told me. Maybe I got an uninformed person telling me??? Or did you???

My overall Igenex test IgM result was Negative, not Indeterminate, also CDC Negative. And there was NO Igenex result for IgG on my rest, only CDC Negative.

I think they may have gotten confused on the explanation to me but they had a copy of my test. Unless they were looking at someone else's sample number. Then she should not have recommended that I get that test 488. So glad I did not waste that money. Well, what does it matter? I certainly had symptoms that proved lyme.

oatez said...
My wife got an IND 31 on IGM and +41. She got the epitope and it came back positive. We are skeptical. She has improved significantly just taking plaquenil and no antibiotics, herbs or supplements.

So an IND 31 is not a slam dunk.