Testing: Discover and Understand the Essential Facts!
-
CDC Guidelines & Recognition of "Serum" Testing Limitations
Most Lyme and co-infection tests look for antibodies, which take weeks to appear and may be absent if testing is too early, the wrong strain is targeted, or the immune system is suppressed—leading to false negatives.
The CDC recommends the use of serum tests called the standard ELISA which is only about 50% accurate, and Western blot whose interpretation varies widely. These Indirect tests (antibodies, immune response) are less reliable for confirming active infection. The CDC understands problems with diagnosing Lyme. They state that Lyme is diagnosed by symptoms, and treatment should start even if tests are negative when doctors strongly suspect Lyme disease.
Many Lyme specialists recommend more sensitive serum testing options with labs like IGeneX and Vibrant Wellness, which test for multiple strains and use broader criteria to improve detection.
-
Advances in Testing: The Advantage of Direct Molecular Tests
Use direct tests (DNA, PCR, FISH, sequencing) whenever possible! Lyme Literate MD’s often recommend direct detection methods like PCR, DNA, FISH, and antigen tests, which are more specific and can identify active infections—even early, late, or in immune-compromised patients.
These advanced tests can readily identify active infection and are available from IGeneX, Galaxy Diagnostics, TLab, and Mosaic Diagnostic labs. Galaxy’s new BBB Direct Detect screens for Borrelia, Babesia, and Bartonella in one test. If your initial CDC serum ELISA or Western Blot are negative, these testing options are available.
-
Challenging False Negatives: Know Your Rights!
The science of testing for Lyme and associated disease is far behind the practice. Often, it is the patient that must make the provider aware of the limitations of CDC guidelines on the use of serum testing with ELISA and Western Blot.
In fact, the risk of delayed diagnosis and treatment of Lyme and coinfections is such that several U.S. states protect patients’ rights to full disclosure about the limitations of Lyme disease testing. Virginia, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Maine require healthcare providers to inform patients—often in writing—that current Lyme tests can produce false negatives, especially early in infection or when the immune response is weak, and that a negative result does not rule out disease. These laws ensure patients receive clear information so they can make informed decisions, seek follow-up care if symptoms persist, and avoid the harm of delayed or missed diagnoses.
Advanced Diagnostic Testing Resources
-
![]()
IgeneX
Tick-borne diseases are quickly spreading across the US. Lyme disease is one of the fastest-growing infectious diseases in the United States. Around 475,000 people are diagnosed with Lyme disease annually in the US. Unfortunately, many of these diseases share similar symptoms and are difficult to detect without testing.
IGeneX is a CLIA certified lab with over 30 years of experience that offers comprehensive testing for major tick-borne diseases, ensuring that physicians provide the correct diagnosis to patients and helps them get the treatment that will be most effective.
IGeneX is a fully certified high-complexity testing lab specializing in Lyme and other tick-borne disease testing.
-
![]()
Galaxy Diagnostics
Galaxy Diagnostics, Inc. provides highly sensitive, enhanced detection of vector-borne infections using optimized direct and indirect detection test methods including sample enrichment, liquid culture, PCR, and serology. We perform diagnostic assays for both Animal Health and Human Health under strict quality control testing standards in a COLA accredited CLIA laboratory (COLA 23168; CLIA 34D2027997; PDH 32300; DHMH 1828; COS 800375). We follow exemplary laboratory practices regarding personnel qualifications and experience, facility and equipment maintenance, and protocol validation as defined by federal regulations governing laboratory testing for human health in the United States
-
![]()
Vibrant Wellness
Tickborne diseases are rising throughout the US from a variety of ticks, which carry and pass on different microorganisms to humans and animals. Tickborne diseases have more than doubled in 13 years and represent 77% of all vector-borne disease reports. Lyme disease accounts for 82% of all cases.
The Lyme Autoimmune panel tests for antibodies against specific antigens related to Lyme disease that are known to trigger autoimmune conditions, focusing on arthritis, carditis, and neuroborreliosis.
The test’s unique approach combines the assessment of specific antigens and their interaction with the immune system, providing valuable insights into the pathogenesis and management of these complex conditions. -
![]()
T Lab Inc
T Lab Inc (TLab) is breaking new ground in revealing the mechanisms of inflammation. We are a CAP Accredited and CLIA-certified clinical laboratory, developing new levels of microscopic imaging to identify the presence of pathogens in blood, and exploring the causes and consequences of inflammatory disease. Many of these infections may be due to vector borne diseases such as Borrelia (Lyme), Bartonella and Babesia species. We have unique expertise and tests to do this reliably and efficiently, supported by a great team of experts.
Certifications & Accreditation
We are a CAP accredited and CLIA certified laboratory.– College of American Pathologists (CAP) 8851753
– CLIA Certificate 21D2062544
– MD Lab Permit 130267
– California Lab License COS-90010599
-
![]()
Moleculara Biosciences
Treatment resistant symptoms
As many as 60% of patients worldwide suffering from neurologic, psychiatric and behavioral disorders do not respond to treatment. Now, there is growing evidence indicating that, in some of these cases, treatment resistance may be due to an undiagnosed immune dysfunction, triggered by infection(s).
