Tests on various topics: Lyme, Babesia,Bartonella, Ammonia, ANA, Anemia, CD57, CIRS / MOLD, CMV, Cyt
Updated: Jul 30
TESTING INFORMATION ON VARIOUS ISSUES (we will add more over time, this took forever but a needed topic) We have education posts on these topics as well.
AMMONIA
I had issues with ammonia on the brain and Yucca root (not stalk) helped tremendously.
"A standard blood-ammonia test can check the amount of ammonia present in the blood at the time the blood is withdrawn. However, this type of test does not reflect the total amount of ammonia that may be stored in other parts of the body such as the brain, teeth, and muscle tissue that could be causing damage."
https://www.tiredoflyme.com/ammonia-a-lyme-disease-exotoxin.html
OUR AMMONIA EDUCATION POST
https://m.facebook.com/groups/289378845349477/permalink/847837929503563/?mibextid=Nif5oz
ANA
My positive results looked like Lupus but my hemotologist and Lyme doctor confirmed Lyme actually caused the result.
"A doctor will likely order an ANA panel if you have signs or symptoms of an autoimmune disorder. An ANA test may indicate that you have some type of autoimmune condition, but it can’t be used to diagnose a specific disorder."
https://www.healthline.com/health/antinuclear-antibody-panel#uses
OUR ANTINUCLEAR ANTIBODY EDUCATION
https://m.facebook.com/groups/289378845349477/permalink/974520483501973/?mibextid=Nif5oz
ANEMIA
Babesia has caused me to be anemic 4 times. The symptoms of anemia often confused me as they presented in a way that reminded me of Lyme and co.
"Recommended labs for full picture according to my hemotologist"
CBC and differential
CMP
IRON AND TIBC
FERRITIN
TRANSFERRIN
FOLATE
B12
***
ANEMIA IN LYME EDUCATION
https://m.facebook.com/groups/289378845349477/permalink/965397461080942/?mibextid=Nif5oz
BABESIA
2. https://igenex.com/igenex-immunoblots-for-babesia-are-here/
3. "WHAT TESTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR BABESIOSIS?
IGeneX offers IFAs (Indirect Immunofluorescent Assay), PCRs (Polymerase Chain Reaction), and FISH (Fluorescent In-Situ Hybridization) tests to confirm the diagnosis of Babesia."
https://igenex.com/disease/babesia/
4. "In this video article I discuss why IGenex offers the best tests for Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia, Ehrlichia and Anaplasma versus other lab systems." https://www.treatlyme.net/guide/best-lyme-bartonella-babesia-tests?fbclid=IwAR1pzEMJ6yOhU6RlGUVRLU4eyJRXN44SP-84JymdZtuvnGP8n6S5KyJFvEc
BABESIA EDUCATION
https://m.facebook.com/groups/289378845349477/permalink/448705482750145/?mibextid=Nif5oz
BARTONELLA TESTING
1. https://drtoddmaderis.com/bartonella-symptoms-testing
2. Igenix new bartonella immune blot testing .https://igenex.com/disease/bartonella/#drawer-1
3. https://www.galaxydx.com/new-bartonella-tests-available/
4. https://igenex.com/tick-talk/bartonella-ifa-vs-bartonella-immunoblot-tests/
5. https://www.treatlyme.net/guide/best-lyme-bartonella-babesia-tests
BARTONELLA EDUCATION
https://m.facebook.com/groups/289378845349477/permalink/446920899595270/?mibextid=Nif5oz
CD57 TESTING
"Testing CD57 cell counts can be done through Labcorp."
https://www.tiredoflyme.com/cd57.html#.U4VQUtMpDFp
CD57 education
https://m.facebook.com/groups/289378845349477/permalink/722334992053858/?mibextid=Nif5oz
CIRS AND MOLD
"CIRS due to mold exposure has a couple of characteristic markers, including high levels of
C4a – An activation protein that can cause inflammation, free radical production, and damage to tissues if too high.
TGF–beta1 – A cytokine in the immune system that has both anti– and proinflammatory effects.
MMP–9 – An enzyme that helps with tissue repair and is a significant marker of CIRS.
ACTH / Cortisol – A hormone that can be elevated and lead to weight gain in CIRS patients.
VEGF – A protein that causes blood vessel formation."
https://www.drelenaklimenko.com/chronic-inflammatory-response-syndrome/
CIRS EDUCATION
https://m.facebook.com/groups/289378845349477/permalink/716665265954164/?mibextid=Nif5oz
CMV (Cytomegalovirus) lab work-
CMV IgM and IgG
If available at your lab also request CMV IgA and CMV Early Antigen.
CYTOKINES
CYTOKINE EDUCATION
https://m.facebook.com/groups/289378845349477/permalink/833812434239446/?mibextid=Nif5oz
EBV
"How to Test for Epstein-Barr"
Required Labs-
4 panel EBV lab work
1. Viral Capsid Antigen (VCA) IgM
2. Early Antigen (EA) IgG
3. Viral Capsid (VCA) IgG
4. EBV Nuclear Antigen (EBNA)
EBV EDUCATION
https://m.facebook.com/groups/289378845349477/permalink/730173491270008/?mibextid=Nif5oz
HORMONES
"Thyroid, adrenal, and sex hormones should be properly assessed and treated if needed to improve Lyme disease symptoms and overall outcome."
https://drtoddmaderis.com/hormones-in-lyme-disease
HORMONE EFFECTS EDUCATION
https://m.facebook.com/groups/289378845349477/permalink/787470182207005/?mibextid=Nif5oz
INFLAMMATION (C REACTIVE PROTEIN)
1. "The two findings, that CRP and VlsE antibodies can be used to differentiate PTLDS patients from other Lyme patients, are another indication of the complexity of Lyme disease."
https://www.globallymealliance.org/news/can-biomarkers-be-used-to-diagnose-stages-of-lyme-disease
2. "CRP: C-Reactive Protein is an inflammatory protein and the test measures it along with IL-6, another pro-inflammatory protein. They are both linked to chronic inflammatory health problems."
3. "Tests a Rheumatologist/GP should run include"
https://restorativehealthsolutions.com/lyme-disease/lyme-disease-inflammation/
4. https://drjockers.com/measuring-c-reactive-protein-levels/
INFLAMMATION EDUCATION
https://m.facebook.com/groups/289378845349477/permalink/728500674770623/?mibextid=Nif5oz
LYME TESTING
Igenex is the gold standard in Lyme and Babesia testing. Galaxy Diagnostics is best for Bartonella. These are the “big 3” most patients need to be evaluated for to get started.
Taking this questionaire is a good start:
Most top Lyme doctors suggest Igenix as the gold standard for Lyme as well as Babesia in particular. Bartonella through Galaxy. My Lyme literate doctor chooses Igenix. A lab by the name of a Vibrant has gained popularity in the last few years because of pricing. Many doctors have taken advantage of the option Vibrant has given them of upcharging the patient. I have attempted to stop it but no luck. DO NOT pay above $900. If your doctor has chosen to charge more than that, let us know and we can connect you to someone who can order your test for you with no upcharge whatsoever. We have several people who offer this for our group. There is no price list available since doctors are allowed to upcharge. But we know $900 is the true cost of the Tick Borne 2.0 test. $800 for finger prick test. $480 if you only do 2 panels. We feel getting results should not be for profit. The lab fees are high enough. Shame on doctors who are gouging patients who need their funds for treatment.
Stony Brook is a favorite of those in New York and many have had good results and managed to get insurance coverage.
Everyone has an opinion and preference, the choice is yours.
There are affordable options through all labs, it is what you choose to run.
Here is Igenix form that shows all the different prices and options according to budget.
https://cdn.igenex.com/wp-content/uploads/Form_TEST_REQUISITION_Domestic.pdf?_ga=2.176702501.1621317126.1678856035-1537442584.1678856035&_gl=1*1s85d0q*_ga*MTUzNzQ0MjU4NC4xNjc4ODU2MDM1*_ga_8W38973YHH*MTY3ODg1NjAzNC4xLjEuMTY3ODg1NjA0MS4wLjAuMA..
Video by top Lyme doctors here
https://www.treatlyme.net/guide/best-lyme-bartonella-babesia-tests
Regarding testing with Igenex: Contact Igenex and ask them to mail you a test kit. When it comes you take the lab order in it to your doctor for their signature. If your doctor will not sign, ask your chiropractor, your dentist or your naturopath. I often tell them I do not need them to interpret results so that the pressure is off them.
MEDICARE COVERAGE
https://m.facebook.com/groups/289378845349477/permalink/1277811279839557/?mibextid=Nif5oz
Two videos to watch:
Understanding Lyme results https://youtu.be/MgWZlTBpZEo
Why Lyme Testing isn't always accurate
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pJLd8fseh_c
LYME BANDS EXPLAINED
https://www.facebook.com/groups/289378845349477/permalink/465114484442578/
IgG versus IgM EDUCATION post
https://m.facebook.com/groups/289378845349477/permalink/1100450744242279/
FULL LYME TESTING EDUCATION
https://m.facebook.com/groups/289378845349477/permalink/1241190420168310/?mibextid=Nif5oz
MMP-9
OUR MMP EDUCATION
https://m.facebook.com/groups/289378845349477/permalink/1002614460692575/
POTS TESTING
POTS has been horrible for me but iI have it completely managed now. Check out our POTS SOLUTIONS blog.
1. "A tilt table test is the gold standard of POTS diagnosis. The tilt table measures your heart rate and blood pressure as you change posture and position.
Besides the tilt table, other testing may be done for POTS:
-Blood and urine test for causes of POTS and conditions that mimic POTS.
-QSART (a test that measures the autonomic nerves that control sweating).
-Autonomic breathing test (to measure how your blood rate and pressure respond during exercise).
-TST (tuberculin skin test).
-Skin nerve biopsy.
-Echocardiogram.
-Blood volume with hemodynamic studies."
2. "Below are some of the tests that may be performed as part of an attempt to identify and diagnose POTS."
https://myheart.net/pots-syndrome/diagnosis-tests/
POTS EDUCATION
"Below are some of the tests that may be performed as part of an attempt to identify and diagnose POTS."
https://myheart.net/pots-syndrome/diagnosis-tests/
THYROID ISSUES
1.
"Comprehensive thyroid testing should include TSH, free T4, free T3, reverse T3, and TPO antibodies.
Laboratory abnormalities may include elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), low T4 and T3 thyroid measured as T4, free T4 (fT4), T3, free T3 (fT3), increased reverse T3 (rT3) and low fT3/fT4. (1,2,4)"
https://www.treatlyme.net/guide/hypothyroidism-lyme-disease
THYROID EDUCATION
https://m.facebook.com/groups/289378845349477/permalink/897614514525904/?mibextid=Nif5oz
SOME OTHER STANDARD RECOMMENDATIONS
"To help you get the most information with the least amount of back and forth, take a look at my list of go-to labs that I use most often in my telehealth functional medicine clinic:"
"In this article, I will discuss what a functional blood analysis is and why it’s so important. I will explain the benefits of a Complete Blood Count (CBC) and a Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP) to check for potential underlying health issues and risk of disease. You will learn about the optimal functional health range for each health marker of these tests."
https://drjockers.com/functional-blood-analysis/
ADDITIONAL TESTING TOPICS THAT CAN BE CONSIDERED:
"When levels of G17 are elevated, it means that stomach acid production has declined. If your stomach acid is low, then levels naturally rise. Gastrin’s job is to come to the rescue and say “Stomach cells, you need to make us more stomach acid.” This stomach-derived hormone is important because it helps you to produce HCL, as in “hydrochloric acid” which is required to digest all the food that is eaten."
https://suzycohen.com/articles/reasons-gastrin-should-be-measured/
Other co-infections can be tested by whichever lab your insurance pays for as they are generally pretty accurate for everything else. These should include:
Anaplasmosis
Brucella
Chlamydia Pneumonae
EBV
Ehrlichia
Mycoplasma Pneumonae
Rickettsia
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Tularemia
Disclaimer: Rise Above Lyme makes no claims about any possible benefit of using any product mentioned within this site. Always consult with your doctor before adding anything. The information shared is based on personal experience, years of accumulated researched resources from Lyme Literate doctors and polls conducted within Lyme groups from actual patient experience using these solution ideas.