Checking For Tic Born Illness Questions?

[Wilma Jenks]

I want to be tested for tic born illnesses, but I can't afford it. I heard there is something called CD57. Does this check for co-infections? Does insurance cover it, and where do I get the test??? Thanks so much

[MichaelTampa]

While Quest offers this test, I strongly suggest LabCorp as it is what everyone has used for years, and provides the best comparison. With insurance coverage, it may cost $10-$20. Insurance typically covers this, although I think I read one poster said it was not covered for them.

 

I sometimes buy it from directlabs.com for something like $130, and then I avoid the doctor visit--I pay directlabs, they provide the paper for LabCorp, and email me the results. When going through directlabs, insurance will not pay for it.

 

The test measures natural killer cells that are thought to be suppressed by very few infections--some would suggest that only borrelia (the bacteria/spirochete that causes lyme) is the only one, making it very lyme specific. For this reason, it does not test whether there are coinfections. Some say extraordinarily low number also indicates mycoplasma in addition to borrelia.

[Wilma Jenks]

I thought most people/doctors use Igenix testing?