Get Virtual Care
For Businesses
About Us
A member asked:
How can someone test positive for two lyme-specific bands on western blot and not have been exposed to lyme disease? what is magic about 5 bands?
2 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Predictive value: Tests always have to be evaluated as to their predictive value both + and - . There are findings that are falsely +, and truly +, findings that are truly -, and falsely -. A good doctor will know which are the good results that he can rely upon and the bad ones that he can discard. That is what is known as great clinical judgment. When you find someone with it, stay with him!
Answered 4/13/2016
1.4k views
Immune complexities: Lyme disease is caused by a certain type of bacteria called a 'spirochete'- they are a whole class actually of bacteria and believe it or not can be found commonly in the mouth or elsewhere in the environment. You have to reach a certain 'threshold' with Lyme testing because there could be some cross-reactivity coming from these other types of bacteria. The immune system is extraordinarily complex
Answered 8/3/2018
1.4k views
Related Questions
A member asked:
I had a blood test (Western Blot), to check for Lyme Disease. The results look strange (0.45). This doesn't look like the result of any WB test I have?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
In my lyme disease panel the Elisa was positive, the western blot was negative. My doctor said Elisa false positives are common. Is this true and why?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
Hi, I have done a lab test for Western Blot and both 58 KD (IGG) Band and 93 KD (IGG) Band are reactive. Do I have Lyme disease? Thank you?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
How accurate is the cdc two tier testing for lyme disease after being infected for around 6-7 months? Also does the western blot detect co infections?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
How accurate is a LYME DISEASE AB W/REFL TO BLOT (IGG, IGM) Test? My results came back negative but with my symptoms my doctor seemed pretty certain
A doctor has provided 1 answer
People also searched for:
Tested positive for Lyme disease IgM but my western blot test came back negtive?
Why would my lyme disease western blot test show 4 igg bands as reactive? Could this mean I have the disease? None of the igm bands were reactive.
I had a Lyme disease negative western blot test. So, could I still have lyme?
Can you have Lyme disease and still have a negative test result on the western blot test?
Will the regular blood test and western blot test for Lyme disease rule out someone having it?
Didn't find what you're looking for?
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more.
Ask your questionMore of what we treat
Download HealthTap
Video visit and message your doctor
