Which basic tests for lyme?

[dut]

Hi - my kids both have a PANDAS dx and we are about to explore Lyme for them with an igenex test. I have started up with some rheumatoid arthritis type stuff but somewhat wierdly and want to explore lyme for me too. If the basic test from my pcp comes back negative, I will do the igenex anyway but if I can get my pcp to order the run of the mill quest lab type tests and they come back +ve I can save myself some dollars.

 

What should I be asking my pcp to run.. western blot? others? I think he will happily do these and we can go from there....

 

 

thanks...

[smartyjones]

i'd say you could start with your dr running a western blot -- with the understanding that a neg may not mean much. our ped never ran an elisa -- he ordered the western blot as the first step.

 

i believe there are a number of co-infections tests that are covered by insurance as well. perhaps someone knows about that.

 

 

[MichaelTampa]

With the understanding that they're not that reliable, as you say, I would go with both ELISA and western blot. They're relatively cheap, yes. The other downside is you're waiting another doctor apptment and test cycle before getting the good tests, but the LabCorp/Quest probably don't take that long to get results.

[dut]

thanks :-)

[sf_mom]

By the way, Basic Western Blot via Igenex is $260.00..... It gets expensive when you start testing for co-infections, etc.