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IgM/IgG ???????

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Posted 1/16/2012 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
What is the difference in these tests ????  IgM  IgG    Thanks in advance :)
Posted 1/16/2012 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
I found this link to be helpful regarding the differences between IgG and IgM:

http://lymemd.blogspot.com/2009/12/igm-question-is-it-chronic-lyme-disease.html

I was also confused about it because I tested CDC positive on IgM and negative on IgG. Igenex positive on both. Yet I had many more starred bands positive on the IgG portion.

Posted 1/16/2012 4:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks !!!!!!!!!!!!!! That was very helpful :) So does the CDC only go by IgG and not IgM results ???????
Posted 1/16/2012 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
To make this really simple for those who can't read through that much -IgM results happen with a new infection. IgG is a later response indicating the infection has been in the body for a while.

The CDC was tracking only the IgM results because the tracking was only set up to follow the rates of infection - not who's had the infection for a while.
Posted 1/16/2012 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
CDC will look at both. On your Igenex test it will tell you if you are CDC positive for IgG or IgM.
Posted 1/16/2012 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
My Igenex said I was CDC positive for IgM but negative for IgG .. Do you have to have both positive to be truley CDC positive ???????????????????
Posted 1/16/2012 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Zuesy,
I went looking for that info, but couldn't find anything. Could you share where you got that from? Thanks!
Posted 1/17/2012 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
my igenex results showed that i was only igenex positive on igm and negative everything else (CDC included). does this mean the infection isnt likely in a chronic state? even though i had symptoms for over 6 months before the test was done?
Posted 1/17/2012 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Umm. that is coming from my head. I just remember when I got the test done, my doctor said IgG is the immune response you usually get from a recent/acute infection, and IgM is chronic. That is why IgM tends to be the stronger one for chronic Lyme- but IgG can show up too, because Lyme is sneaky and hides and can trick your body into thinking it has a new infection.

As far as I know, as long as any ONE portion of the test (PCR, IgG OR IgM etc.) is positive, the test is considered positive. even by the CDC. Of course, whether specific docs will follow that is another thing entirely
Posted 1/17/2012 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone .. All this is very helpful !!!!!
Posted 1/17/2012 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Okay, Whew! I though somehow things had changed! It's just a simple mix up!

IgM is the response to antibodies that are produced immediately.

It's the IgG response that will come later in the infection.
Posted 1/18/2012 12:27 AM (GMT 0)
So if I understand what Zuesy is saying ... is that if the IgM is more postive then the IgG that means you have Chronic Lymes ..??? which makes sense since I have been sick since Feb 25th 2008 ..thats the day I had a major panic attack and after that I went down hill slowly but I was told for over a year that I was depressed and so since I had no idea about Lymes I believed him for a while ....
Posted 1/18/2012 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
No, you've got that backwards, Purplegirl. IgM is produced first - it's evidence of a recent infection.

IgG is a response that happens later on in the infection.

This doesn't make your scenario wrong though. As the infection stays in your body longer, it "digs" a little deeper into the tissues and joints, making it harder for the body to respond to. So it can be more difficult to get an IgG response for some.
Posted 1/18/2012 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
I thought it was the opposite. That IgM's appear first and then convert into IgG as the disease progresses. I've also read that some people never produce IgG.
Posted 1/18/2012 12:51 AM (GMT 0)
Oh ok.. Well my Igenex IgM was all more positive and was CDC postive but IgG was negative and only had band 41 positive ... ???
Posted 1/18/2012 1:13 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry. I might have screwed up. I was going from memory. I would trust Traveler more than me.
Posted 1/18/2012 1:26 AM (GMT 0)
@ Summer3.. Yes I had CD57 done also .. it was 58 ... @ Zeusy..no worries .. Its all good :)
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