Need advice on Ingenix test

[Wilma Jenks]

we are having this test done, because there was a possitive "band 41" on her labs. is this the next step we should be taking? any comments or advice, before we screw up again by using the wrong lab or whatever!!

[cobbiemommy]

Igenex is definitely the lab to go with for Lyme testing. Although a negative test does not mean there is no Lyme. Someone who was born with Lyme (congenital) may have no antibodies for Lyme. A good LLMD will look at the results and the entire presentation of the child to make a clinical diagnosis (as opposed to one based only on a lab test). DS, 11, had an equivocal test (maybe yes, maybe no). Upon further testing, we found out he had Lyme, Bartonella, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Babesia. Without that Igenex test to point the way-we would never have persued further testing.

 

Let us know your results.

 

Cobbie

[MichaelTampa]

If you're looking for more testing, IGeneX is one way to go. Probably a lot of LLMD's will respect the results. The other approach is to get an LLMD and then do what additional testing the LLMD wants. Maybe your band 41 positive along with clinical symptoms will suggest a course of treatment without the need for additional testing. Or maybe these things will suggest some specialty testing. It depends on what stage you are in regarding just doing some tests to further consider lyme, or really seeing an LLMD to get their diagnosis/treatment.

 

If you are going to do more IGeneX testing, realize, IGeneX offers a lot of different tests. I think a popular "starter" test there is the "basic lyme panel" (4090), which gives western blot and ELISA. Remember, even the IGeneX testing is not definitive, although at times can be very suggestive.

[JuliaFaith]

Just another idea. Was going to do Igenex first but decided to see LLMD first and go with their recommendation. So glad I made this decision (for several reasons). We are going to an ND and she recommended that we do some other tests that were much less expensive and spend the extra money on treatment. We are indeed spending a lot of money on treatment and so glad that we went the direction she recommended. We are one of the few on the board not doing abx right away (it may be later in ds treatment) so we are spending a lot on naturopathic, homeopathic and some prescriptions(not abx). Best wishes to you and your child.

[Suzan]

Our LLMD required Igenex tests #189 and 188 (Western Blot) before she would see us although a positive result was not part of the criteria. It cost $100 per test and my insurance did reimburse me for 80% which was a nice surprise. I know not all LLMD's do that up front test requirement though.

 

Susan

[lyme_mom]

I would see a llmd first because you my not need to test igenex (because many will just start treating based in symptoms). Secondly it may make sense to wait a month or so after starting antibiotics to test. A relative of mine did the full panel before starting antibiotics and got a very unconvincing igenex result but her cd57 was 16 so she was sick. It would have made some sense to wait a month after starting because she might have gotten a more positive result. The llmd thinks she has Lyme but her other doctors do not and a more positive test from igenex would b helpful but spending 400 again is not a possibility.