Lyme Disease Antibody Test: All You Need to Know

A Lyme antibody test detects whether you are infected with the bacterium known as Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease. Some kits are precise in detecting & measuring the antibodies produced in the blood in response to the infection.

The Lyme disease spreads to humans via the bite of ticks, which are infected with Borrelia burgdorferi. The most prevalent symptoms of Lyme disease are the following:-

• Skin Rashes
• Fatigue
• Joint Pain
• Fever
• Headache

Untreated Lyme disease over time can cause heart disease. The symptoms of advanced Lyme are:-

• Memory Loss
• Tangling in Your Feets & Hands
• Lose Muscle Tone in the Skin

Lyme disease is difficult to diagnose since ticks are minute, and their bite often goes unnoticed. The symptoms of this disease vary from one individual to another. Not everyone experiences skin rashes.

Your doctor will order a blood test online to determine the antibodies in the blood, in combination with other symptoms, to confirm the diagnosis.

What are Antibodies?

Antibodies are proteins that are produced by our immune system as a quick response to any foreign invasion, such as harmful substances known as antigens. The most prevalent antigen include:-

• Chemicals
• Fungi
• Bacteria
• Viruses

Your blood will have the antibodies if you’ve Borrelia burgdorferi infection. The rapid test will detect Lyme specific antibodies.

If you’ve never been infected with Borrelia burgdorferi, then your test will come out to be negative as there will be no antibodies in the blood.

However, you may also be tested negative during the early days of infection. This is because the immune system hasn’t produced an adequate amount of antibodies. Therefore, four weeks after infection, the test result may become positive.

What is the Procedure of the Lyme Antibody Test?

No advanced preparation is needed for the Lyme antibody preparation test. A qualified health care provider will swab the inside of your elbow, with the use of an antiseptic before drawing the blood.

The blood will be drawn from the vein in the arm via a minute needle. There is no pain, other than a prick on the skin. The sample is collected in a vial. The site of puncture will be bandaged, and the needle will be removed.

Laboratory Testing for Lyme Disease

A series of tests are done to diagnose for Lyme disease; these include the:-

• ELISA Kits: Detect the antibodies the blood
• IgM Antibody Test: It tests for the IgM antibody present in the blood when you’ve ab infection.
• Western Blot: A follow test that determines antibodies & proteins in the blood.
• IgG Antibody Test: Detects the IgG antibody that combats the bacterial infection.

A positive result by the ELISA test means you’re likely to be infected with Borrelia burgdorferi. Then, IgG and IgM antibody tests are used to confirm the diagnosis. And Western Blot is the most definitive diagnosis for Lyme disease.

How Is the Risk of Lyme Disease Antibody Test?

There are no significant risks associated with the Lyme disease antibody test. Slightly excessive bleeding may happen, there is a risk if you’re taking blood-thinning medicine or anti-inflammatory drugs such as:

• Aspirin
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen
• Heparin
• Warfarin

Infection at the puncture site is highly not possible. Keep the bandage in place, unless the bleeding is stopped, and don’t forget to keep the area clean. Some feel lightheaded after the blood is drawn. You must let the technician know if this is the cause.

Conclusion

Lyme disease can be treated using antibiotics. Your doctor will discuss the full course of treatment if you’ve been tested for Lyme disease.