What should you ask? Some good questions include:. Lyme disease can take many forms; if treated quickly, it generally resolves quickly. However, untreated or advanced cases can become quite serious and may become chronic.
Multiple rounds of accurate and effective testing, then, are essential in the fight against the condition. The chances are great that you will see a full recovery. With some effort and good help, you can surely get the best of this disease. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life.
Lyme disease: diagnosis and testing. Updated John T, Taege A. Appropriate laboratory testing in Lyme disease. Cleve Clin J Med. ELISA blood test. University of Rochester Medical Center. Borrelia antibody blood. Lyme disease. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
Blood tests. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care. What happens during a lumbar puncture spinal tap? National Institutes of Health. Lyme disease tests. The positive predictive value of Lyme Elisa for the diagnosis of Lyme disease in children. Pediatr Infec Dis J. University of Iowa Department of Pathology. Laboratory services handbook: B.
Results Test results are usually available in 1 to 2 weeks. Lyme disease test Normal negative : No antibodies to Lyme disease bacteria are found.
Abnormal positive : Antibodies to Lyme disease bacteria are found. Normal negative values A normal, or negative, test for Lyme disease can mean one of the following: You do not have Lyme disease. A negative PCR test usually means that you do not have a Lyme disease infection. You have Lyme disease but it does not show up on the test false-negative. This is more likely with the antibody tests than with PCR.
Reasons for a false-negative result include the following: You have not yet made antibodies to the Lyme disease bacteria.
The infection may be present, but it is too early to find antibodies. This is most likely to occur during the first several weeks of infection. Blood levels of antibodies against Lyme disease bacteria are too low for the test to detect. Occasionally, some people who were not treated correctly with antibiotics in the early stage of infection may not have antibodies to the Lyme disease bacteria in later stages of the illness. Abnormal positive values An abnormal, or positive, test for Lyme disease can mean one of the following: If antibodies are found, you may either have Lyme disease now or had the illness in the past.
Once you have a Lyme disease infection, antibodies to the bacteria will usually stay in your body for the rest of your life. The result is a false-positive. Sometimes an antibody test for Lyme disease finds antibodies to other bacteria, such as syphilis , or viruses, such as the Epstein-Barr virus or the human immunodeficiency virus HIV. The test may also find antibodies that develop as part of an immune response against the body's own tissues autoimmune disease , such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Your doctor may not be able to tell if the antibodies found in these tests are caused by a current Lyme disease infection. Credits Current as of: September 23, Current as of: September 23, All users should consult with a medical provider for specific health concerns.
The Lyme disease test, also known as a Lyme disease blood test, Lyme disease screening test and a Lyme test, measures Lyme disease antibody blood levels. Lyme disease is an infection spread by ticks Ixodes containing the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Sometimes known as Lyme borreliosis, Lyme disease usually infects humans when the tick has been attached for at least 36 hours.
Unlike other types of infectious diseases, Lyme disease cannot be transmitted between humans or animals. Lyme disease can cause a wide range of symptoms targeting a number of different organs and systems in the body. Classically, Lyme disease presents with an bullseye-shaped rash around the area of the tick bite known as erythema migrans although not every person gets one.
Untreated, Lyme disease can lead to chronic joint pain, heart abnormalities, memory problems and long-term fatigue.
This Lyme disease test starts with an antibody screen using an immunoassay methodology to look for evidence of Lyme disease. You may also get a headache after the procedure. Positive results don't always mean a Lyme disease diagnosis. In some cases, you can have a positive result but not have an infection. Positive results may also mean you have an autoimmune disease , such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. If your lumbar puncture results are positive, it may mean you have Lyme disease, but you might need more tests to confirm a diagnosis.
If your health care provider thinks you have Lyme disease, he or she will prescribe antibiotic treatment. Most people who are treated with antibiotics in the early stage of disease will make a complete recovery.
Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice.
Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. Lyme Disease Tests. What are Lyme disease tests? What are they used for? Lyme disease tests are used to find out if you have a Lyme disease infection. Why do I need a Lyme disease test? They may include: A distinctive skin rash that looks like a bull's-eye a red ring with a clear center Fever Chills Headache Fatigue Muscle aches You may also need a Lyme disease test if you don't have symptoms, but are at risk for infection.
You may be at a higher risk if you: Recently removed a tick from your body Walked in a heavily wooded area, where ticks live, without covering exposed skin or wearing repellent Have done either of the above activities and live in or have recently visited the northeast or midwestern areas of the United States, where most Lyme disease cases occur Lyme disease is most treatable in its early stages, but you may still benefit from testing later on.
They may include: Severe headache Neck stiffness Severe joint pain and swelling Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet Memory and sleep disorders. What happens during Lyme disease testing?
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