Lyme Disease Tests August 22, 2011
Posted by Dr. Brady Hurst in Health Conditions.Tags: Blood test, cd57, Conditions and Diseases, Infectious Diseases, lyme, Lyme Disease, lyme symptoms, natural killer cells, nk cells, western blot
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Could a Simple Lyme Disease Test Uncover Mystery Illnesses?
Lyme disease is one of the most overlooked conditions in the US. Why? The main reason is that early Lyme disease symptoms are extremely similar to that of the common cold. This makes it very easy for doctors who are not very well versed in Lyme disease to miss it or disregard it as a cold.
Untreated Lyme disease (pharmaceutically or naturally) can continue to promote dysfunctions and chronic illness. In many cases, the only way for patients to get tested is to order a Lyme disease test themselves. I’ll show you how to do this.
Lyme Disease Symptoms
Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria borrelia burgdorferi. Borrelia is transmitted to us mainly by ticks, however, it is important to know that ticks in their nymphal stage (new born) is most likely to transmit the bacteria. They’re really small so there may not be any evidence of a tick or a tick bite.
Acute Lyme Disease Symptoms
Most people infected by borrelia will express symptoms even though about 7% will be totally asymptomatic (no symptoms). Common acute Lyme disease symptoms include:
- A bull’s-eye looking rash surrounding the bit site. This is common but may not be bull’s-eye looking at all or even absent (the reason why it’s rarely tested for); The incubation period (time between bite and symptoms) can be 3-30 days so one may not attribute the rash to a tick bite at all.
- Common cold symptoms: fever, fatigue, muscle soreness etc.
Chronic Lyme Disease Symptoms
Many cases of Lyme disease are missed because it was mistaken for another illness such as the common cold. After the symptoms of the acute infection subside, the bacteria can continue to negatively influence health. Chronic Lyme disease symptoms can vary greatly, however, some text books symptoms may include:
- Memory loss
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Fibromyaligia (widespread pain with unknown cause)
- Bipolar Disorder
- Arthritis
- Autoimmunity
Lyme Disease Testing
Lyme disease tests are seldom run because in many cases, the sings of the acute infection are gone by the time the doctor examines the patient. The patient may then be forced to do his/her own research and order Lyme disease tests themselves. If this is you, here’s how you order Lyme disease blood tests yourself without it ever getting reported to the insurance companies.
Lyme Disease Antibody Test
When we get exposed to foreign bacteria, our bodies produce a form of white blood cells called antibodies. These antibodies help the immune system not only effectively attack foreign bacteria but also helps it to be ready for future exposures. The Lyme disease test can give insight to whether or not you have been exposed to the borrelia bacteria.
Confirming Lyme Disease- Western Blot Test
To minimize false negative/positives, the Lyme disease western blot test can be ordered to help confirm the presence of high borrelia bacteria antibodies.
CD57 Test- Natural Killer Cells
Natural killer cells (nk cells or CD57 cells) are white blood cells that help our bodies fight infections. Lyme disease seems to decrease the number of natural killer cells, thus keeping the Lyme diseases active . The CD57 test is extremely important because it helps monitor improvements of the natural killer cells as treatment progresses.
What Do I Do If I have Chronic Lyme Disease?
Finding the right doctor, one that is versed in Lyme disease, is extremely important. Whether if you are seeking pharmaceutical or natural treatment options, it is possible to greatly improve your health and possibly recover from Lyme disease. You can find a doctor here.
Tell us your story. Did our standard healthcare system help you or a loved one with Lyme diseases?
I had the typical Bull’s eye rash and a positive blood test for Lyme. My Dermatologist was thrilled. She took pictures of my rash with two different cameras because she gives talks at one of the main hospitals in the city. However, she only treated me with 2 weeks of antibiotics (I asked for 2 more weeks). She ruined my life! Five months later, I became ill and have been ill for a year. I told every doctor about the Lyme diagnosis, and not one saw the connection. I have been diagnosed with Sjogren’s syndrome, fibromyalgia, and Autoimmune Inner Ear disease (hearing loss). Of the 30 symptoms that Dr. Burrascano lists, I had and still have 20! I am the one who figured out the cause of all my problems and I called a doctor who specializes in Lyme disease. He isn’t taking any new patients, but I am hopeful to get a call this year. I am not the person I once was. I can’t play in the symphony anymore, hike, fish, kayak, or even raise my arms. I cry all the time for the person I lost.
Knowing the tests that are needed for a proper diagnosis and how to follow up with the testing once a diagnosis is given is vital to one’s health. This article has given us a good basic description of what tests are used and available for reaching a diagnosis of Lyme disease. Good information!
Another great fact about borrelia bacteria.
Thanks for the great sharing, it will become very useful in my study.
i had lyme 2 times in my life, both times late stages. i trusted doctor reports and its test. be carefull make sure you get as many tests as you can. read up on false neg test. make sure you keep a log of things that happen to you,most common in me was. knees swelling, hands swelling, chest pain,late stage memory lost. leg pain. rash that never went away. you need to take control in getting your life back. know your body and find a doctor that listens to you. i am still in treatment. its hard to get through the day. but i know it will go away with the correct treatment for me. my children had lyme and they had different treatment then me that worked for them.