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- Aug 26, 2011
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If so, I'd appreciate hearing from those who were not treated early (or cured). I'd especially appreciate it if you'd be willing to discuss the testing process. Specifically what testing process did you use?
My main questions are about the Western Blot test, the one with the different bands of antibodies.
The CDC requires that you test reactive on 5 bands, but that criteria was created in 1994, about a decade after the Lyme testing process began. 25 years have passed now since the CDC made the guidelines, and a lot more is known, so the CDC is currently in the midst of revising guidelines and consulting with experts. In the meantime, for a medical community in my area that is not well versed in Lyme, the 5 band criteria are being used. One of my family tested for 3 bands, two of which are the strongest indicators of Lyme. So now I'm in the position of garnering information and next steps while the local community seems t be woefully behind the times.
Anyone ever test for less than 5 bands and yet received treatment for Lyme?
My main questions are about the Western Blot test, the one with the different bands of antibodies.
The CDC requires that you test reactive on 5 bands, but that criteria was created in 1994, about a decade after the Lyme testing process began. 25 years have passed now since the CDC made the guidelines, and a lot more is known, so the CDC is currently in the midst of revising guidelines and consulting with experts. In the meantime, for a medical community in my area that is not well versed in Lyme, the 5 band criteria are being used. One of my family tested for 3 bands, two of which are the strongest indicators of Lyme. So now I'm in the position of garnering information and next steps while the local community seems t be woefully behind the times.
Anyone ever test for less than 5 bands and yet received treatment for Lyme?