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Posted 12/12/2018 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there! New member here with a Lyme testing question. Can the results be affected by antibiotic treatment? My doctor says no but my research and intuition tell me otherwise. I have found a LL Doc and am headed in that direction but curious. Thanks so much.
Posted 12/12/2018 7:46 PM (GMT 0)
What were the results that you got?

The tests stink anyways, regardless of being on abx. Some people produce more antibodies to show up on the test after they start abx, but that doesnt mean your lyme will show up if you are on them.
Posted 12/12/2018 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for taking the time to reply. First ISR Test was .90 (after 1 week amoxicillin for tooth abscess that didn't turn out to be an abscess) second was .91 after 7 days on doxy. Primary gave me the doxy based on possible exposure, ID Doc took me off and said Lyme is negative and wanted to rerun. Had what I have come to learn as a pretty textbook Herxheimer Reaction for 6/7 days on the doxy.
Posted 12/12/2018 8:38 PM (GMT 0)

ErinMargaret said...
Hi there! New member here with a Lyme testing question. Can the results be affected by antibiotic treatment? My doctor says no but my research and intuition tell me otherwise. I have found a LL Doc and am headed in that direction but curious. Thanks so much.

Hi ErinMargaret - welcome to our community.

I do think that antibiotics could affect results. The reason I say this is I have read that when you're on antibiotics..your immune system could be somewhat suppressed because the antibiotics are doing the work and the immune system doesn't need to. (if that makes sense)

I'm glad you have found a LL Doc and will be getting treatment.

We do encourage our new members to look through the information contained in the 'sticky' thread at the top of the page: "New to Lyme?..Start Here!"
Posted 12/12/2018 8:39 PM (GMT 0)

ErinMargaret said...
Thank you for taking the time to reply. First ISR Test was .90 (after 1 week amoxicillin for tooth abscess that didn't turn out to be an abscess) second was .91 after 7 days on doxy. Primary gave me the doxy based on possible exposure, ID Doc took me off and said Lyme is negative and wanted to rerun. Had what I have come to learn as a pretty textbook Herxheimer Reaction for 6/7 days on the doxy.

What is ISR Test?

The test you want to get done is a Lyme Western Blot IgM and IgG.

You can get a test kit sent to you from Igenex Lab in California. They specialize in tick borne disease testing.
Total for the two above mentioned is $250. Results are in approximately 3 -4 weeks.
Posted 12/12/2018 8:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your opinion on the antibiotics, Girlie! And yes, have read the "New to Lyme". ISR is Western Blot, not sure why my latest doc calls it ISR...both were done by Lab Corp which I have read is problematic.
Posted 12/12/2018 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
"First ISR Test was .90 (after 1 week amoxicillin for tooth abscess that didn't turn out to be an abscess) second was .91"


Those aren't Western Blot results. I will look up what ISR stands for.

Western Blot will show positive or negative for certain 'bands'. The lyme bands are: 23-25, 31, 34, 39, 83-93, and 41 (although 41 is not specific to lyme)

Edit: I'm thinking that is from an Elisa or an IFA? Those tests are screening tests...and are not worthy.
Posted 12/12/2018 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hmmm..first test says
Lyme ab/Western Blot Reflex:
Lyme igG/IgM Ab, Lyme Disease Ab, measured in "ISR": .91
Quant, IgM: .80
second test just says ISR .91

Is this not Western Blot? No mention of bands, thought I had to request that specificity.
Posted 12/12/2018 9:46 PM (GMT 0)

ErinMargaret said...
Hmmm..first test says
Lyme ab/Western Blot Reflex:
Lyme igG/IgM Ab, Lyme Disease Ab, measured in "ISR": .91
Quant, IgM: .80
second test just says ISR .91

Is this not Western Blot? No mention of bands, thought I had to request that specificity.

That is a screening test. It looks like with the score of .91, they should have done a WB after.

Looks like the Quest test: Lyme Disease Ab with Reflex to Blot (IgM and IgG)
seen here

https://www.questdiagnostics.com/testcenter/testdetail.action?ntc=6646
Posted 12/12/2018 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you! I appreciate you reading and clarifying.
Posted 12/12/2018 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
Should I bother with the WB or just order the Igenex?
Posted 12/12/2018 10:40 PM (GMT 0)

ErinMargaret said...
Should I bother with the WB or just order the Igenex?

If you can get it covered by your insurance - then go ahead.
But if you have to pay a couple hundred dollars for it - I wouldn’t bother - spend it on an Igenex test.
Posted 12/13/2018 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds good, thank you!
Posted 12/16/2018 5:08 AM (GMT 0)
Normally you wait a week after starting an antibiotic before testing. It does make the spirochetes more active. Igenex test is obviously better than Elisa. DNA connexions is good to detect coinfections. Good luck
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