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Understanding Blood Test

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Posted 9/4/2015 3:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone! I'm new to the forum and I was hoping someone could possibly help me understand what my blood work means. I had standard blood work to check for Lymes Disease last week and I just got the results back yesterday through Quest. I go to the doctor on Tuesday but I was hoping to get a rough idea of whats going on before then. These are the bands I got tested for, (93kd igg, 58kd igg, 41kd igg, 30kd igg, 23kd igg, 18kd igg, 66kd igg, 45kd igg, 39kd igg, 28kd igg, and AB igg) and the only band that I came back reactive for was 41kd igg. Ive been doing a bit of research and this band seems to be quite a mystery, I can't get a straight answer from any website or forum. Most of the threads ive seen on other sites were old so I figured I'd post a new one and see if I get any different answers.

Some other information I figured worth mention:
I'm an 18 year old female, I used to live up North and I have been bitten by ticks before. I have the majority of the symptoms listed for Lymes disease and they've gotten progressively worse since January to the point where I'm achy all the time, I can't sleep, I have chronic headaches, shortness or breath, and elevated heart rate. That's only just a few of some of the worst symptoms that I'm experiencing. In addition to being tested for Lymes Disease, my doctor also tested me for other things, most came back negative. She tested me for strep, rhuematoid arthristis, did a lipid panel, comprehensive metabolic panel, and checked my A1c. Out of all the tests what came back red was the 41 band, my potassium wich was low and my triglycerides which were high. Lastly, my Urea Nitrogen, AST, ALT, and Albumin/Globulin Ratio all came back "normal" but were one point away from being too low. My doctor also gave me an EKG and an echocardiogram, the EKG said my heart beat was abnormal, that it was too fast and I get the results for my echo when I go on Tuesday. I'm not sure if all of this has any releveance I just figured I'd add it. Anyways, any help is greatly appreciated, thank you!
Posted 9/4/2015 3:48 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome!

Sorry for the reason you're here but, glad you found us. And, sorry to say, it sounds like you are dealing with Lyme.

Unfortunately, mainstream labs like Quest, LabCorp, etc. don't run tests that include the most specific Lyme bands.

One of the best labs for Lyme testing is IGenex and a Lyme-literate doctor knows this.

Please know that Lyme is a clinical diagnosis - based upon symptoms. Testing can sometimes back this up.

That said, I really hope you'll consider seeing a LLMD (Lyme-literate MD). Just as you wouldn't go to your GP for brain surgery, it's really best to see a Lyme specialist if you think you have it.

ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society) has a physician referral service on their site:

ilads.org/ilads_media/physician-referral/

You could also start a new thread titled something like this: "Looking for LLMD in (insert larger city near you)"

And, please take a peek at the "New to Lyme? Start Here!" thread that sits at the top of the forum. It has lots of useful information including symptoms lists, testing, suggestions for detoxing, etc.

Detoxing is a necessary part of any Lyme treatment. You see, our symptoms are caused by the toxins released by the bacteria. Once we start treatment, those toxins can increase so, having an established detox protocol can only help.

Please keep posting on here and ask any questions that come to mind. We'll do our best to answer them. We're all in this together.
Posted 9/4/2015 3:56 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the quick response, I figured what you mentioned would be my best course of action. When my doctor suggested I get tested for Lymes Disease, I never thought in a million years anything would come of it. I haven't been bit by a tick since I was child and I never got the bullseye rash, is it still possible for me to have Lyme? I wasn't sure if it could lay dormat without signs for years? The only symptom I've had since around the time I was bit is chronic headaches, all the other symptoms have come gradually over time.
Posted 9/4/2015 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kaitlin - welcome to our community!

cd has given you great information...I don't have much to add. I do hope you seek out a LLMD and have him/her evaluate you.

Yes, you can have lyme disease and have chronic headaches as the only symptom for years. Then, over time, as the infection grows, more and more symptoms gradually appear.

I'm sorry you have to go through this...but I am glad you have found us. This is a great group of people - knowledgeable and caring.
Feel free to ask any questions you have, we'll do our best to answer them here.
Posted 9/4/2015 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
Quest runs the right bands they just don't test properly. Of the standard labs quest is by far the worst. That you had anything show up positive is remarkable.

You can google Igenex and call them for a test kit. Read the instructions carefully regarding days to get your blood drawn. Don't spend the money on testing co infections. The test aren't good enough yet.
Posted 9/4/2015 4:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Kaitlin!!
Welcome!! I'm so glad you joined our community!!

You've been given some really great information so far, but I'd like to add in a bit more.

If you haven't ​yet​, it would be helpful for you to start with reading through the thread at the top of the forum titled,"New to Lyme?...Start here!!", as it is packed full of important information, symptom lists, helpful links and pdf's, how to detox when one has these infections, information on probiotics and much more.

Many more insects besides ticks now carry these infections - mosquitoes, biting flies of all types (horse, sand, deer, etc.), fleas, and even ants and spiders, and that doesn't even mention about the smallest of the ticks, which are no bigger than the period at the end of this sentence. I got into some this summer, they looked like my legs had been wet and someone threw ground pepper at them - but when I got one under a magnifying glass - it had legs!

But with you having had these symptoms come on slowly over the course of years, then it's most likely that you have had these infections for a while. Many of us have - I had my infections for 40 yrs, and yet have still healed. It's a long healing journey, but it's one that you don't have to travel alone!! We are here with you to help you find the answers you need, and to offer suggestions to help you get through this.

I agree that Quest is one of the worst for testing for these infections - they don't even use the proper medium (the stuff in the petri dish) for testing!!! Igenex is one of the best in the country for this type of testing. All they do is test for tick-borne infections, so their techs are trained and they are sure to use the right testing medium.

And here are some more resources for finding a LLMD:
For information on finding a​n ILADS ​(International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society)​ trained​ Lyme Literate Medical Doctor(LLMD) in your area, you will need to enable your email option in your profile in order to receive any recommendations, as we don't allow doctor's names and contact info to be posted on the forum for several reasons. You can enable your email option in your profile, under 'edit profile'. Be sure to click the submit button to actually save your preference.


​You can send me an email by clicking on my screen name or the small blue envelope under my screen name. I may have contact information for some LLMD's in your area as well.​ ​Please include your state and area that you would like to find a LLMD in and I will see how close I can get to your location.​


As CD said, you can start a new thread titled something like "Looking for LLMD in the (insert the nearest larger city & state) area". Members can email you about the LLMD's that they see in that area if you have your email enabled. We don't allow doctors names to be posted though.


You can email the Tick-Borne Disease Alliance at​[​​url]​[email protected]​ for LLMD referrals and you can go to ​tbdalliance.org​​ to learn more about these infections.


You can also go to The Lyme Disease Association and search for LLMD's 3 times in a month. You have to register first. Here is the link:www.lymediseaseassociation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=277&Itemid=74​​


​ You will want to find an ILADS trained doctor, as ID Docs (Infectious Disease Doctors) believe Lyme is hard to catch and easy to treat, and don't believe in the reality of chronic Lyme. Go to the ILADS site to read the new (2014) Treatment guidelines to get you started on your healing journey: www.ilads.org/lyme/treatment-guideline.php
Posted 9/4/2015 4:45 PM (GMT 0)
I've learned tons of helpful information from this thread and I feel as though I'm prepeard and know what questions to ask my doctor when I go on Tuesday. Hopefully she'll be on board for a more indepth test somewhere other than Quest, I'll make sure to ask her about Igenex. I've already glanced at the thread for people new to this disease and will look it over more in depth tonight when I have time. I also already went to ILADS and submitted my information for LLMD refferals. Anyways thanks everyone for such quick and helpful responses! You guys are the best.
Posted 9/4/2015 4:53 PM (GMT 0)
:-) I'm so glad we have been helpful to you!! Remember, it's very, very common to not have your GP and many other doctors not believe in these issues. I hope that you can at least use them to get the blood draw for better testing, but remember, these infections are actually supposed to be diagnosed by symptoms - even the CDC says that much.

"Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks. Laboratory testing is helpful if used correctly and performed with validated methods."

www.cdc.gov/lyme/

And be sure to let us know how it goes!!
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