Lyme Disease

Lyme Disease Testing and health information

Have you ever been bitten by a tick?

 Get tested for Lyme disease, a bacterial infection caused by infected ticks, with Ulta Lab Tests. You might be infected even if you don't have any symptoms. 

Lyme disease affects around 1/2 million individuals in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

If you have been exposed to ticks, but haven't had a Lyme disease blood test, you may be carrying the disease without realizing it. After all, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease can remain latent for months or even years. 

Lyme disease manifests itself physically in a variety of ways. A circular red rash that spreads out after a tick bite is likely the most noticeable symptom in approximately 3/4  of patients who are bitten by an infected tick. However, this rash fades with time. 

As a result, some people who have been infected with pathogenic bacteria may assume that they are healthy, but this bacteria can lay dormant for weeks, months, or even years. 

When bacteria spread throughout the body, it can result in: 

  • Fevers
  • Fatigue 
  • Headache 
  • Neck Tenseness 
  • Pain in the Joints 
  • Meningitis 

If you want to learn more about Lyme Disease and Lab Testing that can help you, click on the title of the articles below.

Lyme Disease and Blood Testing  - What You Need to Know

If you've noticed any of these symptoms or developed an unexplainable rash, you should be tested for Lyme disease. If you think you may have been exposed to ticks that carry Lyme disease, it's also important to get tested as soon as possible. We provide fast, affordable testing for all types of infectious diseases so you can get the answers you need quickly and easily.

You don't want to wait until symptoms become severe before getting tested. 


Name Matches

Dr. Goodman's  Lyme and Tick Borne Panel contains the following tests:

  • Babesia Microti (IgG,IgM)

  • Bartonella Species Antibodies (IgG,IgM) W/Reflex (Es) To Titer

  • Ehrlichia Chaffeensis (IgG,IgM)

  • Lyme Disease Antibodies (IgG, IgM), Immunoblot

 

Most Popular

Description: The Lyme disease antibody test is testing for Borrelia antibodies. Borrelia is the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease. The immune system produces antibodies to fight against the infection of Borrelia, or Lyme disease.

Also Known As: Borrelia burgdorferi Test, Lyme Disease Antibodies IgG IgM Immunoblot Test, Lyme Disease antibodies Test

Collection Method: Blood Draw

Specimen Type: Serum

Test Preparation: No preparation required

When is a Lyme Disease Antibodies test ordered?

When a person shows signs and symptoms of Borrelia infection and lives in or has visited a place where deer ticks, also known as black-legged ticks, are abundant, especially if the person has recently been bitten by a tick, Lyme disease testing is required.

Testing may be repeated after a few weeks if initial testing is negative but the suspicion of Lyme disease remains strong.

When a person does not have typical Lyme disease symptoms or a history of tick bites, and has not traveled to a Lyme disease-endemic area, a healthcare provider may rule out alternative possibilities before diagnosing and testing for Lyme disease.

What does a Lyme Disease Antibodies blood test check for?

The bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii, which are transported predominantly by the deer tick, often known as the black-legged tick, cause Lyme disease. Borrelia antibodies in the blood are measured in Lyme disease tests.

The body’s immune system produces these antibodies in reaction to exposure to Borrelia, the organism that causes Lyme disease. Infected deer ticks or black-legged ticks bite humans and transfer the bacterium. In areas where these ticks reside, such as the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and midwestern United States, the disease is most common in the spring and summer.

A distinctive erythema migrans or “bulls-eye” rash that develops from the bite site, fever, chills, headache, and exhaustion are all indications of Lyme disease infection. Lyme disease can progress to cause intermittent joint pain and swelling, facial paralysis, weakening and numbness in the arms and legs, meningitis, memory issues, and in rare cases, heart and vision problems if left untreated.

It takes time for the immune system to produce antibodies against Borrelia. Two types of antibodies can be detected using laboratory tests. IgM antibodies are normally evident two to three weeks after the commencement of infection, while IgG antibodies are seen several weeks later.

Lab tests often ordered with a Lyme Disease Antibodies test:

  • Babesia Microti Antibodies
  • Bartonella Species Antibodies
  • Ehrlichia Chaffeensis Antibodies
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Antibody Panel

Conditions where a a Lyme Disease Antibodies test is recommended:

  • Lyme Disease

How does my health care provider use a Lyme Disease Antibodies test?

Lyme disease tests are performed to see if a person has been infected with the germs Borrelia burgdorferi or Borrelia mayonii and has the symptoms of the disease. Antibodies generated by the immune system in response to infection are detected by the tests.

IgM and IgG antibodies can be detected via laboratory tests.

Antibodies to Borrelia IgM are frequently present in the blood two to three weeks after exposure. IgM concentrations peak about six weeks and then start to drop.

IgG antibodies are not detectable for many weeks after exposure, peak at four to six months, and can last for several years.

To identify these antibodies and confirm a diagnosis of Lyme disease, the CDC recommends using two alternative procedures. The initial test is designed to be extremely sensitive in order to detect as many Lyme disease cases as possible. When a person does not have Lyme disease but does have another condition, such as another tick-borne disease, syphilis, or an autoimmune ailment like lupus, it may be positive. If the initial test yields a positive result, a second test using a different method is done to validate the findings. 

Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose at times. If a person has removed a tick from his or her skin, has had a known tick bite, and lives in or has visited an area of the country where Lyme disease is common, the timing of the probable infection can be accurately predicted. However, because the tick is about the size of a pinhead, the bite may go unnoticed. Not everyone will get the rash, and the symptoms that do occur may be nonspecific and flu-like in the beginning, with joint pain that progresses to chronic arthritis and/or neurological problems that appear months later.

What do my Lyme Disease antibodies test results mean?

Antibodies are not produced in a healthy adult who has never been infected with Borrelia germs.

If a person exhibits signs and symptoms, as well as positive EIA or IFA and western blot tests, it is likely that they have Lyme disease.

If a person tests positive for IgM antibody but negative for IgG and western blot, they may have had a recent infection or a false-positive test result.

If an IgM result is undetectable but the IgG and Western blot tests are positive, the person examined is likely to have a later stage infection or to have had an infection previously.

If all tests come out negative, the person's symptoms are either caused by something else or the antibody levels are too low to detect at that time; retesting in 2 to 3 weeks may be required to confirm or rule out infection.

If the IgM and western blot are negative but the IgG is positive, the person has either recovered from Lyme disease or the symptoms are due to cross reactive antibodies plus something else.

We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.

Lyme Disease - Direct and Indirect Panel

Both indirect (Serology) and direct tests (PCR) should be routinely used for the accurate, sensitive, and specific laboratory detection of Lyme disease. Because of the complex nature of the disease, no single test is adequate for all clinical situations.

  1. Lyme Disease (Borrelia spp) DNA, Qualitative, Real-Time PCR, Blood
  2. Lyme Disease Antibodies (IgG, IgM), Immunoblot

Clinical Significance

The diagnosis of Lyme disease is most often made by clinical examination combined with evidence of tick bite or exposure in endemic areas. Amplification of Borrelia genomic DNA from blood, fluids or tissues can support the diagnosis. 

Lyme disease is transmitted by a tick vector carrying Borreliaburgdorferi. Immunoblot testing qualitatively examines, with high specificity, antibodies in a patient's specimen. Immunoblot testing is appropriate for confirming a detected EIA or IFA test result.

Result
Code		 Result Name LOINC Code Component Name
45059500 Lyme Disease Ab (IgG),Blot 6320-6 Borrelia burgdorferi Ab.IgG
45059600 18 kD (IgG) Band 9588-5 Borrelia burgdorferi 18kD Ab.IgG
45059700 23 kD (IgG) Band 9589-3 Borrelia burgdorferi 23kD Ab.IgG
45059800 28 kD (IgG) Band 9590-1 Borrelia burgdorferi 28kD Ab.IgG
45059900 30 kD (IgG) Band 9591-9 Borrelia burgdorferi 30kD Ab.IgG
45060500 45 kD (IgG) Band 9594-3 Borrelia burgdorferi 45kD Ab.IgG
45060600 58 kD (IgG) Band 9595-0 Borrelia burgdorferi 58kD Ab.IgG
45060700 66 kD (IgG) Band 9596-8 Borrelia burgdorferi 66kD Ab.IgG
45060800 93 kD (IgG) Band 9597-6 Borrelia burgdorferi 93kD Ab.IgG
45060900 Lyme Disease Ab (IgM),Blot 6321-4 Borrelia burgdorferi Ab.IgM
45061200 41 kD (IgM) Band 9587-7 Borrelia burgdorferi 41kD Ab.IgM
45061300 39 kD (IgG) Band 9592-7 Borrelia burgdorferi 39kD Ab.IgG
45061400 41 kD (IgG) Band 9593-5 Borrelia burgdorferi 41kD Ab.IgG
45061500 23 kD (IgM) Band 9598-4 Borrelia burgdorferi 23kD Ab.IgM
45061600 39 kD (IgM) Band 9599-2 Borrelia burgdorferi 39kD Ab.IgM
Result
Code		 Result Name LOINC Code Component Name
86007023 Lyme Disease DNA 32667-8

Borrelia burgdorferi DNA

Description: The Lyme disease antibody test is testing for Borrelia antibodies. Borrelia is the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease. The immune system produces antibodies to fight against the infection of Borrelia, or Lyme disease.

Also Known As: Borrelia burgdorferi Test, Lyme Disease Antibodies IgG IgM Immunoblot Test, Lyme Disease antibodies Test

Collection Method: Blood Draw

Specimen Type: Serum

Test Preparation: No preparation required

When is a Lyme Disease Antibody test ordered?

When a person shows signs and symptoms of Borrelia infection and lives in or has visited a place where deer ticks, also known as black-legged ticks, are abundant, especially if the person has recently been bitten by a tick, Lyme disease testing is required.

Testing may be repeated after a few weeks if initial testing is negative but the suspicion of Lyme disease remains strong.

When a person does not have typical Lyme disease symptoms or a history of tick bites, and has not traveled to a Lyme disease-endemic area, a healthcare provider may rule out alternative possibilities before diagnosing and testing for Lyme disease.

What does a Lyme Disease Antibody blood test check for?

The bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi and Borrelia mayonii, which are transported predominantly by the deer tick, often known as the black-legged tick, cause Lyme disease. Borrelia antibodies in the blood are measured in Lyme disease tests.

The body's immune system produces these antibodies in reaction to exposure to Borrelia, the organism that causes Lyme disease. Infected deer ticks or black-legged ticks bite humans and transfer the bacterium. In areas where these ticks reside, such as the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and midwestern United States, the disease is most common in the spring and summer.

A distinctive erythema migrans or "bulls-eye" rash that develops from the bite site, fever, chills, headache, and exhaustion are all indications of Lyme disease infection. Lyme disease can progress to cause intermittent joint pain and swelling, facial paralysis, weakening and numbness in the arms and legs, meningitis, memory issues, and in rare cases, heart and vision problems if left untreated.

It takes time for the immune system to produce antibodies against Borrelia. Two types of antibodies can be detected using laboratory tests. IgM antibodies are normally evident two to three weeks after the commencement of infection, while IgG antibodies are seen several weeks later.

Lab tests often ordered with a Lyme Disease Antibody test:

  • Babesia Microti Antibodies
  • Bartonella Species Antibodies
  • Ehrlichia Chaffeensis Antibodies
  • Epstein-Barr Virus Antibody Panel

Conditions where a Lyme Disease Antibody test is recommended:

  • Lyme Disease

How does my health care provider use a Lyme Disease Antibody test?

Lyme disease tests are performed to see if a person has been infected with the germs Borrelia burgdorferi or Borrelia mayonii and has the symptoms of the disease. Antibodies generated by the immune system in response to infection are detected by the tests.

IgM and IgG antibodies can be detected via laboratory tests.

Antibodies to Borrelia IgM are frequently present in the blood two to three weeks after exposure. IgM concentrations peak about six weeks and then start to drop.

IgG antibodies are not detectable for many weeks after exposure, peak at four to six months, and can last for several years.

To identify these antibodies and confirm a diagnosis of Lyme disease, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using two alternative procedures. The initial test is designed to be extremely sensitive in order to detect as many Lyme disease cases as possible. When a person does not have Lyme disease but does have another condition, such as another tick-borne disease, syphilis, or an autoimmune ailment like lupus, it may be positive. If the initial test yields a positive result, a second test using a different method is done to validate the findings. 

Lyme disease can be difficult to diagnose at times. If a person has removed a tick from his or her skin, has had a known tick bite, and lives in or has visited an area of the country where Lyme disease is common, the timing of the probable infection can be accurately predicted. However, because the tick is about the size of a pinhead, the bite may go unnoticed. Not everyone will get the rash, and the symptoms that do occur may be nonspecific and flu-like in the beginning, with joint pain that progresses to chronic arthritis and/or neurological problems that appear months later.

What do my Lyme Disease antibody test results mean?

Antibodies are not produced in a healthy adult who has never been infected with Borrelia germs.

If a person exhibits signs and symptoms, as well as positive EIA or IFA and western blot tests, it is likely that they have Lyme disease.

If a person tests positive for IgM antibody but negative for IgG and western blot, they may have had a recent infection or a false-positive test result.

If an IgM result is undetectable but the IgG and Western blot tests are positive, the person examined is likely to have a later stage infection or to have had an infection previously.

If all tests come out negative, the person's symptoms are either caused by something else or the antibody levels are too low to detect at that time; retesting in 2 to 3 weeks may be required to confirm or rule out infection.

If the IgM and western blot are negative but the IgG is positive, the person has either recovered from Lyme disease or the symptoms are due to cross reactive antibodies plus something else.

We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.

Lyme disease is caused by a tick vector carrying borrelia burgdorferi. Immunoblot testing qualitatively examines with high specificity antibodies in a patient's specimen. Immunoblot testing is appropriate for confirming a detected EIA or IFA test result.

Clinical Significance

Babesia duncani, also known as WA1, causes symptoms similar to those seen in cases of babesiosis caused by Babesia microti. Most of the documented cases have occurred in the Pacific Northwest.

Babesiosis is a blood infection caused by the parasite, Babesia. In the U.S., it is primarily spread to people by bites from infected blacklegged ticks, also called deer ticks (Ixodes scapularis). 

Babesia serological testing is used to diagnose infection by the Babesia tick-borne protozoan. Infection may cause hemolytic anemia.

Bartonella Species Antibodies (IgG, IgM) with Reflex to Titer. Includes Bartonella henselae IgG, IgM; Bartonella quintana IgG, IgM.

Additional charges my apply if one or more of the following reflex tests are run by the lab. If B. henselae (IgG) screen is positive, the B. henselae (IgG) titer will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 86611).
If B. quintana (IgG) screen is positive, the B. quintana (IgG) titer will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 86611).
If B. henselae (IgM) screen is positive, the B. henselae (IgM) titer will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 86611).
If B. quintana (IgM) screen is positive, the B. quintana (IgM) titer will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 86611).

C3a desArg is a cleavage product of C3 complement component activation. Elevated levels of C3a have been reported in patients with acute lyme disease, acute pancreatitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Ehrlichia chaffeensis is an obligate intracellular gram-negative species of rickettsiales bacteria. It is a zoonotic pathogen transmitted to humans by the lone star tick. It is the causative agent of human monocytic ehrlichiosis.

NK Cells, LGLS (CD57), Blood

 

CD57, CD3, CD8, Flow Cytometry

Reference Range(s)

  • CD57+/CD3- of % lymphs1-10 %
  • CD57+/CD3- of % WBC1-4 %
  • CD57+/CD3- absolute20-258 cells/uL
  • CD57+/CD3-/CD8- of % lymphs1-5 %
  • CD57+/CD3-/CD8- of % WBC1-3 %
  • CD57+/CD3-/CD8- absolute20-114 cells/uL
  • CD57+/CD8- of % lymphs1-15 %
  • CD57+/CD8- of % WBC1-4 %
  • CD57+/CD8- absolute20-248 cells/uL

Rickettsia (RMSF) Antibodies (IgG, IgM) with Reflex to Titers

Alternative Name: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, Spotted Fever Typhus

Clinical Significance: Rickettsia (RMSF) Antibodies (IgG, IgM) with Reflex to Titers - Antigen specific IgG and IgM titers allow rapid diagnosis of infection by any of the spotted fever group of rickettsial agents. This group of agents include R. rickettsii (Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever) and R. akari (rickettsial pox), both seen in the continental United States.

Includes: If Rickettsia (RMSF) Antibodies (IgG, IgM) is Detected, the appropriate Titer will be performed at an additional charge (CPT code(s): 86757 per titer performed).

Methodology: Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)

Reference Range(s)

  Screen Titer
RMSF (IgG) Not detected <1:64
RMSF (IgM) Not detected <1:64

 

Anaplasma phagocytophilum Antibodies (IgG, IgM) 

Clinical Significance

Anaplasma phagocytophilum Antibodies (IgG, IgM)  - Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-borne agent that causes an acute febrile illness that often resembles Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Reference Range(s)

  • A. phagocytophilum IgG  <1:64
  • A. phagocytophilum IgM  <1:20

Alternative Name(s): HGE,Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis (HGE)

Coxiella burnetii DNA, Qualitative Real-Time PCR

Q Fever (Coxiella burnetii) Antibodies (IgG, IgM), with Reflex to Titers

TEST IS PRICED TO INCLUDE REFLEX TESTS IF APPLICABLE

  • If Q Fever IgG Phase I is Positive, then Q Fever IgG Phase I Titer will be performed.
  • If Q Fever IgG Phase II is Positive, then Q Fever IgG Phase II Titer will be performed.
  • If Q Fever IgM Phase I is Positive, then Q Fever IgM Phase I Titer will be performed.
  • If Q Fever IgM Phase II is Positive, then Q Fever IgM Phase II Titer will be performed.

Clinical Significance
Q Fever (Coxiella burnetii) Antibodies (IgG, IgM), with Reflex to Titers - Caused by infection with rickettsia agent, Coxiella burnetii, Q Fever is characterized by fever with interstitial pneumonitis. Sixty percent of infected individuals are asymptomatic while other infected individuals may die from complications.

Methodology

Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)

Reference Range(s)

  Screen Titer
Q Fever IgG Phase I Negative <1:16
Q Fever IgG Phase II Negative <1:16
Q Fever IgM Phase I Negative <1:16
Q Fever IgM Phase II Negative <1:16

Alternative Name(s)

Coxiella Burnetii

 

 


What Is Lyme Disease? Risk Factors, Causes, Signs and Lab Tests

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 476,000 people in the United States are affected by Lyme disease each year. 

But if you haven't taken a Lyme disease blood test, you might be unknowingly harboring the illness. After all, the bacteria associated with Lyme disease can lie dormant for months or years.

But how accurate are Lyme disease blood tests, and how often should you have one done? Let's find out!

What Is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection that's spread via woodland ticks. It's often very mild, though moderate or intense symptoms can develop over time.

This illness gets its name from its discovery location, Lyme, Connecticut. It is most prevalent in areas with expansive woodlands. As you might imagine, the more forests you have, the more ticks you're bound to encounter. 

Though Lyme disease isn't considered one of the most lethal illnesses, it can prove dangerous for those with compromised immune systems. Additionally, untreated Lyme disease can result in symptoms that last for months.

After spending time in the great outdoors, it's vital to check for ticks and tick bites. You may also want to spray yourself with pest repellent before going for a hike or going camping.  

Risk Factors for Lyme Disease

People with Lyme disease might enjoy spending time outdoors more than those who never contract it. They are more likely to come into contact with the woodland ticks that harbor Lyme disease-bearing bacteria.

As such, the most common risk factors for Lyme disease include:

  • Camping in wooded areas
  • Hiking through wooded areas
  • Spending time outdoors near tick habitats
  • Owning animals that often go outdoors

It's doubtful that someone who spends their life in a large urban area would ever contract Lyme disease. However, for those living closer to the countryside, it's a near-daily risk.

You might also accidentally bring ticks into your home if you own pets that often play outdoors. Because of this, researchers often use canine maps to help track the prevalence of Lyme disease.

Causes of Lyme Disease

Protecting yourself from Lyme disease can be challenging if you live in wooded areas throughout the Northeastern or Central United States. This particular strain of bacteria is called Borrelia burgdorferi. Bacteria that cause Lyme disease are found on insects and ticks.

When a black-legged (Deer) tick bites a person, there's a chance that the bacteria, Borrelia burgdorferi, will pass into the person's bloodstream. When this happens, antibodies rush to stop the spread.

Though Lyme disease is caused by a bacterial infection, it is not often grouped with infectious diseases. That's because there are no recorded cases of human-to-human transmission. 

In the United States, ticks are the primary cause of Lyme disease. Protecting yourself from this illness means consistent pest control services around your home and constant vigilance while walking or hiking through wooded areas.

Signs and Symptoms of Lyme Disease

There are quite a few physical signs and symptoms of Lyme disease. But, perhaps the most notable sign is a circular red rash that spreads out from a tick bite.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 70-80% of people bitten by an infected tick get this rash. But this rash does go away with time.

Consequently, some infected individuals may believe that they're perfectly healthy after being infected with harmful bacteria. Even worse, this bacteria can remain dormant for several weeks, months, or even years. 

Still, that doesn't mean that Lyme disease is without symptoms. When the bacteria begins to spread throughout the body, it may cause:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Neck Stiffness
  • Joint Pain
  • Meningitis

If you've noticed any of these symptoms, or an unexplainable rash that keeps appearing, you may want to have yourself tested for Lyme disease. Often, the recommended treatment is a short course of antibiotics.

That's a small price to pay for staying safe from long-term aches, pains, and swelling. Remember, the sooner you get tested, the sooner you can enjoy a healthier body and mind.

How Do You Treat Lyme Disease?

When a case of Lyme disease is confirmed, the standard course of action is two to four weeks of oral antibiotics. In extreme cases, hospitalization may be recommended. Still, most will recover quickly while taking antibiotics.

Remember, a diagnosis of Lyme disease doesn't mean death. Though the long-term effects of this illness can be mildly debilitating, reversing those effects starts with rapid diagnosis and treatment.

Lab Tests for Lyme Disease

There are quite a few different lab tests that physicians can use to test for Lyme disease. Most are blood-based tests. A person's spinal or synovial (joint) fluid can also be used for testing. 

Still, the most comfortable form of testing is often blood testing. If you're concerned that you may have contracted Lyme disease over the past weeks, months, or years, you can order a Lyme disease blood test online.

With several tests available, it might seem challenging to pick the right one. However, any Lyme disease blood test that checks for specific antibodies related to Lyme disease can be effective.

If your test is positive, you'll want to share those results with your primary care provider. Then, they can recommend antibiotics to help fight off infection and kill the invading bacteria. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find some of the most frequently asked questions regarding Lyme disease and Lyme disease blood tests. If you continue to have questions about this illness, please reach out to your health care provider.

Can Lyme Disease Be Detected by a Blood Test?

A blood test can detect Lyme disease. However, spinal fluid tests are also an option. Still, blood tests are often the preferred testing method.

That's because spinal fluid tests often involve removing fluids from the spine or joints. This process can be painful or uncomfortable for patients. Blood tests tend to be far simpler and are virtually pain-free.

Blood analysts can use a blood sample to test for Lyme disease by searching for specific antibodies created to fight the bacterial infection. Though there are many types of antibodies, two are crucial to Lyme disease blood tests.

The first set is called Immunoglobulin G, or IgG antibodies. These are the most prevalent type of antibodies found throughout the body. They're present during bacterial and viral infections. 

The second major type of bloodborne antibody is IgM antibodies. Your body creates and releases these antibodies immediately after infection. Analysts can look for these biomarkers to determine infection level and duration.

What Is a Western Blot Test?

The Western Blot Test is a type of blood test that focuses on antibodies. It's very similar to other blood tests in terms of patient procedure. You arrive for your blood drawing appointment and wait for your results.

The thing that makes the Western Blot Test somewhat unique is its processing. Analysts separate the proteins and add them to blotter paper to study the antibodies in any given blood sample. They then add special enzymes and observe changes in the paper's color. Certain colors indicate the presence of specific antibodies, helping analysts determine a sample's status.

What Is the Most Accurate Test for Lyme Disease?

The most accurate test for Lyme disease is either a full-panel Lyme disease blood test or a spinal fluid test. Both offer high levels of accuracy.

Repeat testing may also be an excellent way to determine the presence of Lyme disease. After all, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease can remain dormant in a person's tissues for several months or years.

Consequently, blood testing may be preferable to spinal fluid testing. In addition, it's far easier to perform repeat blood tests than it is to have spinal fluid removed regularly.

It's also worthwhile to note that a person's blood is also rich in antibodies. So when performing a Lyme disease blood test, lab technicians look for the presence of specific antibodies that may indicate Lyme disease.

How Long Does It Take for a Lyme Blood Test To Come Back?

It takes about one to four business days for a lab to process Lyme disease blood test results. That said, complex tests that also test for the presence of other bacteria may require more time to process.

Ulta Lab Tests provides a fast turnaround time on lab results processed by Quest and secure online results. That way, you're not waiting several weeks to learn the outcome of your blood tests.

How Long Can You Have Lyme Disease Without Knowing?

A person can carry the bacteria for Lyme disease for several years before symptoms of the disease start exhibiting. But some people, particularly those with compromised immunity, may notice symptoms more quickly.

Still, the maximum amount of time a person can go without exhibiting Lyme disease symptoms is about 36 months or three years. Most will experience early symptoms far sooner.

Benefits of Lyme Disease Lab Testing With Ulta Lab Tests

Lyme disease can be a slow-progressing illness that causes mild to moderate pain. It can be particularly dangerous for individuals with compromised immune systems. As such, it's vital to get tested for Lyme disease.

Ulta Lab Tests provides some of the most diverse and high-quality medical tests in the United States. When you choose to order tests with Ulta Lab Tests, you know you can look forward to several benefits, including:

  • Secure and Confidential Results
  • No Insurance or Referral Needed
  • Affordable Pricing
  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee

With Ulta Lab Tests, you just purchase your desired test directly and visit your local patient service center.

From there, it's only a short matter of waiting for your confidential results. Most results are available within a few business days, though some tests might take a little more time.

In addition, Ulta Lab Tests offers a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and can help you select the right test for your needs.

But it's crucial to note that Ulta Lab Tests are currently unavailable in New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island. As such, residents of those states may need to schedule a visit with their regular physician for testing.

Order a Lyme Disease Blood Test Today

Lyme disease blood tests can help you avoid months or years of joint and nerve pain. Lyme disease is caused by bacteria that are often spread via tick bites. Avoiding these bites can be challenging, especially in wooded areas.

Order your Lyme disease lab test today, and your results will be provided to you confidentially online in two to four days, and one to two days for most other tests. Take charge of your health and track your progress with Ulta Lab Tests!