Lyme IgG Band 23

Lyme IgG Band 23

What's

Lyme IgG Band 23

Lyme IgG Band 23 is a crucial marker used to test for Lyme disease, an infection spread through the bite of a black-legged tick. This marker is part of the Western Blot test, a highly accurate method that identifies antibodies, like IgG, in your blood. Band 23 is particularly important because it reacts to a protein found in the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease, Borrelia burgdorferi. This makes it a valuable tool in the detection process. In simpler terms, Lyme IgG Band 23 acts like a detective, looking for signs of a past or ongoing battle between your immune system and the Lyme disease bacteria.

If Your Levels Are High

Elevated levels of Lyme IgG Band 23 might suggest that your body's immune system has been fighting, or is still fighting, the bacteria linked to Lyme disease, called Borrelia burgdorferi. This could be due to a past infection or an ongoing one. Some medications, like antibiotics or immunosuppressants, could potentially affect these levels. It's also possible that other health conditions could be causing your immune system to react this way. Keep in mind that this is just one part of the bigger picture, and other factors should be considered to fully understand your health situation.

Symptoms of High Levels

Symptoms of high levels of Lyme IgG Band 23 may not be distinct, as this marker primarily indicates an immune response rather than causing symptoms itself. However, if it's associated with an ongoing Lyme disease infection, you might experience fatigue, joint or muscle aches, headache, fever, or other flu-like symptoms.

If Your Levels are Low

A low level of Lyme IgG Band 23 might mean that your body hasn't come into contact with or isn't currently fighting the bacteria that causes Lyme disease, called Borrelia burgdorferi. This could be because you haven't been exposed to the bacteria, or it might be due to the way your immune system is responding. Some external factors, like taking immune-suppressing medications such as corticosteroids or chemotherapy drugs, could also affect these levels. Keep in mind that this is just one part of the bigger picture, and other factors should be considered to fully understand your health.

Symptoms of Low Levels

Symptoms of low levels of Lyme IgG Band 23 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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