The Lyme Disease Test screens for Lyme disease, a bacterial infection caused by the bite of an infected tick that carries the bacteria
Borrelia burgdorferi. A bulls eye rash greater than the size of a quarter appears in only 70% of people that are infected with Lyme disease.
Lyme disease season typically begins in April and goes through November. Lyme disease is regularly found and more prevalent in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington DC, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Campers, hikers and people who work in gardens and other leafy outdoor venues are at the greatest risk for tick bites. Your risk may also be higher if you live or have traveled to a state where Lyme disease is more prevalent.
How this test works
This Lyme Disease blood test screens for immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies. These are antibodies produced by the body to fight infection to the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. In order for Lyme disease to be transmitted, an infected tick needs to be attached to the host for 36 to 48 hours.
Untreated Lyme disease can produce a wide range of symptoms depending on the stage of infection. Seek medical attention if you are having heart or neurologic symptoms, especially if you have had a tick bite, live in an area known for Lyme disease, or have recently traveled to an area where Lyme disease occurs.
After your results are ready, you’ll have the option to talk with an independent physician. Together, you’ll come up with a personalized plan that best supports your health. If medication is a part of the plan, your prescription can be sent to the pharmacy of your choice.
This test may be appropriate if you:
- Spent time in an area where Lyme disease is more prevalent (listed above)
- Have been in outdoor areas where ticks live (e.g. the woods)
- Are experiencing symptoms such as rash, fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches and swollen lymph nodes. If you are experiencing heart or neurologic symptoms, please seek medical attention.
This test is not appropriate if:
- The tick bite occurred within the past 2-3 weeks (too soon to test)
- There are no symptoms present
Symptoms:
- Early signs & symptoms (3-30 days after tick bite)
- Fever, chills, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes
- Erythema migrans (EM) rash or bulls-eye rash– 70% of cases
- Later Signs and Symptoms (days to months after tick bite)
- Neurologic
- Severe headaches and neck stiffness
- Facial palsy (loss of muscle tone or droop on one or both sides of the face)
- Shooting pains, numbness, or tingling in the hands or feet
- Problems with short-term memory
- Heart
- Heart palpitations or an irregular heart beat
- Other
- Additional EM rashes on other areas of the body
- Arthritis with severe joint pain and swelling, particularly the knees and other large joints.
- Intermittent pain in tendons, muscles, joints, and bones
- Episodes of dizziness or shortness of breath
- If you are experiencing heart or neurologic symptoms, please seek medical attention.
