\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The likelihood that a patient has a disease depends on many factors: Has a patient been in an area where the disease is found? 2015;34(11):1260-1262. doi:10.1097/inf.0000000000000858. Antibodies can take several weeks to develop, so patients may test negative if infected only recently. Recent infections are much easier to detect and an IgM and IgG blood test will often be ordered as complimentary information gathering tools. As noted, not every test is conclusive, and positive results may not always mean you have Lyme disease. But most people bitten by a tick do NOT get Lyme disease. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This test measures the level of Borrelia antibodies in your blood. Your doctor may order further testing, however, if you are symptomatic. . This may result in Lyme diagnoses being missed because symptoms are attributed to another illness. For more details, see: Recommendations for Test Performance and Interpretation from the Second National Conference on Serologic Diagnosis of Lyme Disease. When discussing your results with your healthcare provider, dont be shy; engage in the dialogue, and try to learn as much as you can about your condition. Youll start with a standard two-step blood test. Lyme disease testing is usually ordered by a doctor and is used when there are signs or symptoms consistent with Lyme disease. In this case the person gets a Lyme disease diagnosis and starts treatment. The chronic infection can be particularly devastating because they symptoms may be vague, but progressive and potentially debilitating. Symptoms may persist for months or even years after initial infection. If not found and treated, Lyme disease can lead to problems with your joints, heart, and nervous system. For example, if you have joint pain and swelling, your doctor may check your synovial fluid (the fluid located in your joints) for Lyme disease bacteria. Describe any differences in your mental or physical condition since you were bitten by the tick, even if you don't think the difference is related. References. If these tests are positive and followed up by a positive Western Blot test, then the chances are very good that Lyme disease is present. A blood test does not only detect Lyme disease it is the most accurate and preferred test for diagnosing the disease. Make sure to use your consultations with the healthcare provider wisely; these professionals are excellent resources of information, and theyre working for you. If the antibodies produced to fight Lyme disease are present, the solution will change color. These details are crucial to making a diagnosis of Lyme disease. Lyme Disease Magnesium Advocacy Group Men's Health Military If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. The two most common diagnostic tests for Lyme are the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the Western blot. There are several reasons it can be hard to diagnose Lyme disease. Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis) due to Borrelia burgdorferi. An EM rash is a sure sign of Lyme disease, so your doctor can diagnose and treat you without the need for laboratory tests. Several weeks after infection, FDA cleared tests have very good sensitivity. Following Lyme disease tests, its most important that you are vigilant about how youre feeling and are on the lookout for any unfortunate side effects. Lyme Disease Blood Test Results Fully Explained. Interpret your laboratory results instantly with us. If I'm wrong--someone please correct me. The only sure sign of Lyme disease is an erythema migrans (EM) rash, which often has a bullseye shape. Generally, it is best to get tested for Lyme disease if you live where ticks are common or have recently visited such areas. How do I view different file formats (PDF, DOC, PPT, MPEG) on this site? Bacteria, viruses, fungi theyre all treated the same. A doctor will test your blood for antibodies that are trying to fight the bacteria in your blood. If this test is positive, then a second test called a Lyme Western Blot should be run to confirm the results of the first test. Borrelia Antibody (Blood). 5 mo. If a test of cerebrospinal fluid is needed, an outpatient procedure called a lumbar puncture can be done in a hospital. It is important to know that both types of vaccines are only about 80% effective in preventing Lyme disease. 3. Bars in the numbered bands linked to Lyme disease means you may have Lyme disease. National Institutes of Health. There are 9 bands linked to Lyme disease: 18, 23, 24, 25, 31, 34, 37, 39, 83, and 93. In fact, a recent internal study showed exactly how easily tests could miss infections from species other than B. burgdorferi. The more detailed Western blot test will be done if the initial screening indicates a positive result.XTrustworthy SourceCenters for Disease Control and PreventionMain public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. Optimal Result: 0 - 0.9 index. How soon will medications take effect? Only a positive Western blot test can confirm the diagnosis of Lyme disease. If you have been traveling, your doctor might test you for species of Borrelia that cause Lyme disease in other parts of the world. Updated CDC Recommendation for Serologic Diagnosis of Lyme Disease, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Laboratory tests that are not recommended, HHS federal research updates on Lyme disease diagnostics, Surveillance explained and available data, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, The likelihood that the patient has been exposed to infected blacklegged ticks, The possibility that other illnesses may cause similar symptoms, Results of laboratory tests, when indicated. Heres what you need to keep in mind: So what happens if a case is confirmed? If joint lameness is the presenting sign, improvement may be noted after 3-5 days starting antibiotics. 3 Check the number and location of bands in your test pattern. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. If you live in an area with a high transmission risk and have a rash and flu-like symptoms, your doctor may diagnose Lyme disease without blood tests. This is a close-up photograph of a tick embedded in the skin. APHL Guidance and Interpretation of Lyme Disease Serologic Test Results, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Lyme disease is more common than many people think. Eventually, your muscles might move strangely, you may feel numbness or tingling, and you may start to have trouble speaking. Additionally, they should always consider the patients Lyme disease test results in conjunction with their current or previously reported symptoms. CDC website, May 2021. The process tests your blood for evidence of antibodies your body produces to resist spirochete bacteria, which causes Lyme disease. HDL 36. New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, The Blavatnik Family Chelsea Medical Center, Heart - Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, Mount Sinai Center for Asian Equity and Professional Development, Preparing for Surgery and Major Procedures, Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken). Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria cause Lyme disease. The Western blot test has been part of the two-step testing system since 1994 and is more commonly used. You can get the disease if you are bitten by an infected tick, mostly in northeastern states and on the West Coast. PSA is 2.63. The DNA Thrombotic Risk Test can tell you just that. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. In regions where Lyme disease is not prevalent, it is usually up to the patient to insist on receiving the Lyme disease blood test. If youve been bitten by a tick, its normal to feel nervous that you might have contracted Lyme disease. Your doctor will consider whether your symptoms and risk factors suggest Lyme disease when deciding whether you need a Lyme test. For a comprehensive explanation of the western blot test, download Understanding Western Blot Lyme disease test. The good news is that usually a tick has to be attached to your body for 24 to 36 hours to infect you. You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website. A bulls-eye rash at the bite location is a trademark symptom of Lyme disease, but only about half of the people who are infected with the bacteria develop the rash. These tests can be run on the blood sample used for the first test. Lyme disease tests look for signs of infection in a sample of your blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Lyme: The First Epidemic of Climate Change by Mary Beth Pfeiffer. In addition, current symptoms may be more difficult to connect to historical risk factors (for example, a hazily recalled tick bite or trip to a Lyme-endemic area). In a study of SPECT scanning in 183 patients who met the clinical definition of chronic Lyme disease, 75% showed abnormalities in perfusion to various areas of the brain. Your blood sample will be sent to a laboratory and the blood will be introduced to a testing solution. It is transmitted by black-legged ticks that are commonly found on animals such deer, dogs, mice, horses, and birds, as well as vegetation in endemic areas. Other tests, including PCR, look for DNA evidence of the bacteria, so they may also prove useful. This means none or few antibodies to Lyme disease were seen in your blood . Youve spent time in heavily wooded areas native to ticks. Infection can cause redness and swelling in the area, as well as fever; if you experience any of this, be sure to call your healthcare provider. Several important steps: With blood tests, the procedure is very rapid, taking only about five minutes. Sometimes it can take your body time to start producing these antibodies in reaction to the bacteria. Lyme disease serology; ELISA for Lyme disease; Western blot for Lyme disease. [2] After 10 to 15 milliliters (mL) are drawn, the needle is removed and the site bandaged. Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. Early symptoms that usually occur within the first month after a tick bite can include: Symptoms that come and go are common with Lyme disease.