Lyme IgG Band 18

Lyme IgG Band 18

What's

Lyme IgG Band 18

Lyme IgG Band 18 is a key indicator used in testing for Lyme disease, an infection spread through the bite of infected black-legged ticks. This marker is part of the Western Blot test, a highly accurate method that identifies antibodies, like IgG, in your blood. In particular, Band 18 is linked to a specific protein found on the surface of the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, known as Borrelia burgdorferi. The presence of this band can help confirm a Lyme disease diagnosis, providing a better understanding of your overall health.

If Your Levels Are High

Having higher than normal levels of Lyme IgG Band 18 might mean that your body has been exposed to Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. When your immune system detects this bacteria, it produces antibodies, like Lyme IgG Band 18, to help fight off the infection. It's worth noting that certain factors, such as taking antibiotics recently, could affect the levels of this marker. Additionally, high levels could also suggest a previous Lyme disease infection, as your body can keep making these antibodies even after the bacteria is gone.

Symptoms of High Levels

Symptoms of high levels of Lyme IgG Band 18 may not be distinct, as this marker is more about exposure to the bacteria rather than symptom manifestation. However, it's generally associated with Lyme disease, which can cause symptoms like fatigue, fever, headache, muscle and joint aches, and swollen lymph nodes.

If Your Levels are Low

A low level of Lyme IgG Band 18 might mean that your body hasn't produced a strong immune response to the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, which is usually linked to Lyme disease. This could be because the test was taken too early, as it can take some time for antibodies to show up in your blood. It's also possible that you haven't been exposed to the bacteria at all. Additionally, certain medications, like immune-suppressing drugs, could affect the levels of Lyme IgG Band 18 in your blood.

Symptoms of Low Levels

Symptoms of low levels of Lyme IgG Band 18 are typically non-existent, as this test is more about exposure to the bacteria rather than a measure of symptom severity.

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See References

Test for

Lyme Disease, Line Blot by Access Labcorp Draw

Serum

This test is used to detect antibodies specific for B. burgdorferi. This test is intended as the second step in testing serum samples found to have been equivocal or positive using an ELISA or IFA test.

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High Levels

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