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Ispot Vs. Igenex Testing for Lyme

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Posted 12/29/2015 3:29 AM (GMT 0)
Does anyone have any opinions on the accuracy on these two tests? Debating if I should get the Ispot test done. Thanks so much

Alicia
Posted 12/29/2015 3:53 AM (GMT 0)
Hi oliverbenny!-

I was tested through IGENEX. I tested positive for Lyme. Sorry, I don't know anything about the Ispot test.

Best Wishes!
Posted 12/29/2015 4:28 AM (GMT 0)
I have taken both. If you do the I-spot, it can measure your treatment progress once you have a starting point and take it again.

I have taken lab corp, igenex as well as I-spot. I was positive with all three. The I-spot I've taken twice and it let me know the antibiotic treatment was not working. I was terribly disappointed to find that 5 months of antibiotics had probably done more harm to my system than good (My numbers hadn't gone down). But at least I found out so that I could change treatments.

I am sure someone will chime in on igenex. They are excellent and very helpful.
Posted 12/31/2015 9:08 PM (GMT 0)
bump
Posted 12/31/2015 10:02 PM (GMT 0)
The Igenix and iSpot are two completely different types of tests.

Igenixs western blot ($200)works off of antibodies and seems to be the best in that area, I dont know the details of it, other than it provides many bands. Note: chronic lyme no longer produces a antibody reaction.

iSpot from Wisconson ($400)works off of detecting your killer cell activity against a live sample of laboratory introduced Lyme bacteria. The bad- if the longer you had lyme, the less this test works, since lyme will lower your killer cell numbers and strength. There is a point where they just cant do the test because of this. In that case they show the measure number of low killer cells and what it should be in "normal people" (they tested 400 people to get this #), but they cant measure their "fighting performance" against lyme bacteria in low amounts.

Another type of test is Advanced Labs cell culture ($500). They try to grown lyme bacteria from YOUR blood sample in a lab dish. If that cant succedd in a month, they continue to try for another $150-$250 for another month. Note: chronic lyme does not reside in your blood, it runs from your blood, running from the immune cells and resides in white tissues, spinal fluid, and organs.
Posted 12/31/2015 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
EDIT: In that case they show the measureD number of low killer cells IN YOU and what it should be in normal people................
Posted 1/1/2016 12:25 AM (GMT 0)
Https://www.neurorelief.com/index.php?p=cms&cid=486&pid=149

Ispot does western blot paired with the TCell testing.
Posted 1/1/2016 1:10 AM (GMT 0)
"Ispot does western blot paired with the TCell testing"

Mmm, I dont think so. They never did western blot before, but they suggest pairing the two even though they dony say who to get the western blot from.........we can assume Igenixs.

Well I didnt open this:

Https://www.neurorelief.com/index.php?p=cms&cid=486&pid=149

since firefox says "This Connection is Untrusted".

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The iSpot is the name of a test for $400(written that way) from neurosciences/pharmason labs in Wisconson. The iSpot is the name of their test , not the company.

ispotlyme.com/healthcare-practioners/
Posted 1/1/2016 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
http://ispotlyme.com/healthcare-practitioners.php


When you have a blood draw, they (neuroscience) do both the western blot and T cell.
Posted 1/1/2016 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
I've used i spot twice. You are tested for both at the same time along with a list of questions and supplements you currently take.

Quote from the site:
What we can learn from Western Blot?

Traditional Western Blot testing* can provide useful information for diagnosing Lyme disease by detecting antibodies to the disease that develop approximately 4–6 weeks after exposure. Western Blot can also be helpful in determining whether or not a person has ever been exposed to Lyme, because once the antibodies have been found in the blood, the patient will likely test positive for the rest of their life. However, Western Blot is not able to determine whether Lyme disease is currently active or whether a treatment protocol is successful. May we offer a second opinion?

*refers to the current CDC-recommended two-tiered testing that includes ELISA + Western Blot

iSpot Lyme™ allows for a quicker diagnosis, plus ongoing monitoring and treatment.

iSpot Lyme™ is a new testing methodology that complements Western Blot, because it measures something completely different: T cell response to four specific Lyme antigens.
Unlike antibody production, T cell response kicks in just 4–6 days after infection. As a result, iSpot Lyme allows for earlier detection than Western Blot. iSpot Lyme can also identify
how active the disease is—and therefore how well your treatment is working. Use both, and you can finally get a
much clearer picture.
Posted 1/1/2016 4:48 PM (GMT 0)
I just found this:

www.townsendletter.com/Jan2015/lyme0115.html

It seems Ispot testing can be helpful for earlier diagnosis post tick bite.

I'm not sure I understand how it's useful to determine if a treatment is working. Clarification anyone?
Posted 1/1/2016 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
You are retested and the number will drop as your body is winning against the Lyme. The links I posted are good explanations.
The first test is a combo of western blot and the T cell. After that you can elect to do just the T cell test. The T cell part of the test will give you a number. I was 32 at my last test.
1-17 is negative 18-25 equivocal (I think) and above that positive. My test in March was 31. In July 32 (my doc said its about the same). I made the decision to stop antiotics because my treatment was not working. It was discouraging. But at least I knew.
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