How valuable are blood tests in the diagnosis of Lyme disease?
The blood tests that are routinely available through your physician measure the levels of antibodies produced by your immune system in response to the presence of Lyme disease spirochetes. The results of blood tests taken during the first stage of Lyme disease are often negative since it may take up to eight weeks following infection for there to be sufficient antibodies to turn the test positive. When signs and symptoms consistent with early Lyme disease are present, treatment should not be withheld while waiting for the results of a blood test. A second problem with the blood test is that the antibody production may be reduced or eliminated if the patient is given correct antibiotic therapy. Finally, blood tests for Lyme disease are not standardized and there appears to be a significant amount of variability among laboratories. Therefore, the usefulness of blood testing for Lyme disease is currently limited in many instances. What are ticks and what is their role in Lyme disease tran
