All the Different Labs

[LymeEnigma]

I was lurking over at Lymenet USA, when I came across a thread that reflected a question I've been contemplating for some time now and would like to bring back to the surface:

mikej2323
Frequent Contributor
Member # 8913

posted 26 June, 2008 10:14 PM

So, I see there are all these new labs popping up...what in the world is going on??? Are these labs valid? Are the tests FDA-approved?


www.specialtylabs.com/

www.clongen.com/

www.neurorelief.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=section&id=10&Itemid=66


Mike
[e-mail]

www.caringbridge.com/visit/angelsforalex Posts: 209 | From: Iowa | Registered: Mar 2006 | IP: Logged

flash.lymenet.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=068208
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Mike receives various answers (the thread is actually worth reading), but the question still remains: what do we know about these different labs? How reputable are they? Are there any that a person with Lyme and co's can actually depend on for true diagnostic aid? Might they just be more money-making schemes, designed to help the sick and the desperate part with even more of their limited funds?

I can't help but think about all of the strange associations Dr. Steven Harris has seemingly made over the past couple of years ... his association with some of the more "out there" alternavistas, his recomending of the Cowden protocol, despite his lack of formal training in herbal medicine (and don't forget the "Lymie balance" test he performed on me).... Let's just roll with my opinion of the man for a moment and assume he took me for a ride, back when I was his trusting patient....

Might his actions reflect upon Igenex and their credibility, as well? Is it possible that more of us have been taken for rides than we would like to consider? Is it possible that a good number of us are basing our "proof" on bunk tests?

Where some patients are concerned, does it really matter whether or not they're dependable or legit, just as long as they have that positive on that piece of paper...?

*edited to fix broken link.

[enochroot]

Good points
As somebody who never had a pos test for Lyme or ANYthing else to explain my
predicament - I can really understand the need for validation, to "know" what's wrong.

[LymeEnigma]

That's why I got retested, myself, twice.

First time (Quest): positive ELISA, negative Western blot.
Second time (Quest): retested WB, only band 41 kDa came up.
Third time (Igenex): negative C6 ELISA, CDC-negative, Igenex-positive WB

Validation is HUGE. Still, how do we know we are not simply paying for that "positive," willing to stretch our reason, just a bit, out of desperation for said validation? I want to believe my Igenex test is valid ... but I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel a small amount of reservation regarding my results, especially because I have personally dealt with the CEO's son....

[enochroot]

I had 4 Quest WBs and ELISAs (over 6 months) all "deemed negative"
only one report gave me the band info, and only 41 was lit up...
One of the reasons I explore CFS/Vaccine answers as well these days.

[LymeEnigma]

It would be nice if we knew more about spirochetes in general, especially Borrelia. If we knew more about that elusive band 41, beyond Lyme, I think we would understand a lot more about the various Lyme-like Borrelia and just how broad the range of illness truly is.

I think there is something to the possible viral influences, as well. It does not seem too far-fetched to me that the effects of getting infected with the wrong strain of Borrelia might include the activation of multiple latent infections. It is evident that numerous other infections, when combined with Borrelia, have the capacity to become much more serious than their isolated counterparts; I don't see why viral infections would be any exception.

In the meanwhile, it would be nice if there was a Borrelia test patients truly could depend upon for definitive answers. At this point, I'm not sure if I trust any of them.

*edited to remove a typo