Igenix Labratory Testing Questions

I've read a lot about the Igenix controversy online. It seems to me that the biggest issue is that they use a different reference range to determine a positive result than the CDC uses. And, non-LLDL's aren't a fan of the lab. 

Other than that, are there any major differences? And, are there folks that have gotten negative results? Are there any other problems that you've experienced with the testing?

Price wise, what should a patient expect and what tests does everyone recommend having ordered?

The important thing to remember about the CDC standard of lyme testing is that it is not to be used for diagnostic purposes. This is clearly stated by the CDC. The test was designed for surveillance purposes. Now, what test do you know that are not for diagnostic purposes? Not many right. Bizarre but that is truly the case.

Igenex is a lyme specialty lab. They are much more likely to have tests come back positive because they know how to test for lyme and coinfections. Here's a good example, my husband was clearly having numerous numerous symptoms. He was tested through a local lab and not one single band showed up. He was admitted to the hospital and only my insistence did they test him for lyme and coinfections. Everything came back totally negative.

When tested through Igenex, he tested positive for lyme and babesia. He had severe anemia which is very common with babesia but even though it is a parasite, the hospital lab did not pick up on it. Scary right?

I believe the controversies you read about Igenex is just another ploy by the medical community in following the IDSA standards of ignoring chronic lyme. Please please please be your own medical advocate. When it comes to lyme, you have to think outside the box if you want to get well.

The ID doctor will probably not be OK with running Igenex, will downplay positive or IND results, and will not treat clinical symptoms for longer than a couple of weeks. You need to find a LLMD or LLND to help you out with this testing.

Just so you know, my insurance usually kicks back a pretty significant amount whenever I get IGenex testing done. I still don't fully understand why it's better, but I can say that I got only band 41 reactive on regular tests, and then through Igenex I was positive - I forget which bands - and then a few months later after some treatment (and after my immune system had some time to actually recognize the infection, thus produce the antibodies being tested) it was a bit more positive, as well.