Lyme Disease Antibody Screen

What's

The Lyme Disease Antibody Screen is a test that checks for antibodies your body makes to fight off the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, called Borrelia burgdorferi. This bacteria usually enters your body through the bite of an infected black-legged tick. The test is important for diagnosing Lyme disease, a condition that can cause symptoms like tiredness, fever, headaches, and a unique skin rash. If not treated, Lyme disease can spread to your joints, heart, and nervous system. The Lyme Disease Antibody Screen helps to find out if you have this bacteria, so you can get the right treatment as soon as possible.

If Your Levels Are High

Elevated levels of Lyme Disease Antibody Screen might mean that your body is trying to fight off the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, which is linked to Lyme disease and usually enters your body through a tick bite. High levels could be influenced by certain medications, like antibiotics, which might affect the amount of these antibodies. It's worth noting that sometimes your body can produce these antibodies in response to other bacteria, which could lead to a false positive result. As a result, this test is often used together with other tests to confirm if you have Lyme disease.

Symptoms of High Levels

Symptoms of high levels of Lyme Disease Antibody Screen could include fatigue, fever, headache, and characteristic skin rashes. In advanced stages, joint pain, heart problems, and neurological issues may also be observed.

If Your Levels are Low

A low Lyme Disease Antibody Screen result might mean that your body hasn't produced many antibodies to fight the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, which is usually linked to Lyme disease. This could be because you've only recently been exposed to the bacteria and your immune system hasn't had a chance to react, or it might mean that you haven't been exposed at all. Some medications, like drugs that suppress your immune system, could also affect your body's ability to produce these antibodies. Additionally, if you have a chronic illness or an immune disorder, your immune system might not respond as expected.

Symptoms of Low Levels

Symptoms of low levels of Lyme Disease Antibody Screen may not be immediately apparent, as this could indicate a recent exposure or no exposure to the bacteria. However, if exposure has occurred, early symptoms could potentially include fatigue, fever, headache, and skin rashes.

See References

Test for

Lyme Disease Antibody Screen

Lyme Disease Antibody w/ Reflex to Blot (IgG, IgM)

Access Med Labs

Serum

This test detects antibodies to the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. Immunoblot testing will confirm a detected screening result.

Lyme Disease Antibody w/ Reflex to Blot (IgG, IgM)

Access Med Labs (Drawn at Labcorp)

Serum

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What is it?

High Levels

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