Need help understanding test results

Hello, I am new to this forum and fully read the new to Lyme section. Thanks for the incredibly helpful info! I am hopeful someone who has been through this can help me. I have had three tests now and my regular Dr. assures me it is not Lyme. However, I have been seeing a naturopathic Dr. who convinced me to test through Igenex and says I am definitely positive.

For the IGM results Band 18+ band 41++ and band 39 IND.
For the IGG results Band 31 IND, Band 39 IND and band 41 +++

Do I have Lyme? The Igenex official result says negative. I do have many of the Lyme symptoms, mostly neurologic and muscular. But also tinnitus and inexplicable reddening of the nose and cheeks. Lots of strange things happening to my body no one can seem to explain. been to endo, neuro, ob, ent, the works..... nothing. All my symptoms came on about two weeks after a minor surgery, and autoimmune disease does runs in my family. Is there a way to be 100 percent sure this is Lyme? I have a feeling it is.....Thanks so much for any help

Post Edited (Mysery Ills) : 11/6/2012 8:36:42 PM (GMT-7)

Hi Mystery Ills,
I'm glad you found us! Since you've already said that you've read the "New to Lyme?" thread, I won't have to tell you all about it!! I'm glad you found it so useful!

First of all, IND means indeterminate, which means that they have found evidence of the protein, but not enough to actually say it's positive.

The IgM results indicate whether or not you have an ongoing infection. As you can see from the chart here: www.anapsid.org/cnd/diffdx/wb.html
Bands 18 & 41 are detecting parts of the flagella - or tail of a spirochete. The reason those aren't enough to say for sure that you have Lyme is because there are other bacteria with this type of a "tail".

Band 39 though is different - it indicates BmpA - which stands for Basic Membrane Protein "A" - and that is specific to Lyme disease - so you have an ongoing infection.

For the IgG results, a person would be in the 'chronic' phase of the infection. Band 31 on your IgG results indicates that you are dealing with a chronic infection, as band 31 is specific for Lyme diseases' OspA, which stands for Outer Surface Protein "A".

So you have tested positive for Lyme disease, but you will need to find a doctor that is willing to treat you based on these findings or by symptoms (clinically).

The rash that you describe sounds like a Lupus rash, so I would suggest that you find a doctor that will be able to deal with both, as Lyme protocols have some specifics that need to be followed - like no steroids unless there's no way around it.

Lyme can often trigger things like Lupus, R.A. and others to become active.

So, in my opinion, yes, you have Lyme and it needs to be addressed - but you could quite possibly also have Lupus. Treating the Lyme disease could calm the Lupus, but it most certainly will go a long way to helping you feel better!

Thank you for your thoughtfull responses and helpfull info. Another question for you all. Can this all get better with just naturopathic treatment? I have seen some improvement but my fear is this will come back with a vengeance if I don't hit it hard with antibiotics. Also, can you ever be 100 % sure it is Lyme?

P.S. La La, to answer yuour questions my neuro symptoms are brain fog, muscle fasiculations, crawling feeling under skin, electric shock sensations, just to name a few. You don't have your email icon turned on so I can't reply to you directly. I'm so sorry for what your going through. Don't know if you have tried B12 shots but I can function much better when taking them weekly. I have also gone to a very alkaline diet which helps a lot. Also taking the ultra clear renu shake daily in addition to tons of herbal and naturopathis remesys. What is cd 57?