All general practitioners can have their patients’ blood tested for Lyme disease. Unfortunately, these tests are not very reliable. That is why more and more people are having their blood tested in other ways. For example at Pro Health in the Netherlands or at laboratories in Germany. Several other tests are possible there. Plus, testing can also be done there for co-infections that often occur alongside Borrelia. In short, it may make sense to have your blood tested again for Lyme if the GP’s previous examination turns up nothing.
- Most common method used by general practitioners to diagnose Lyme
- Other tests related to Lyme
- Pro Health laboratory in Weert
- Infectolab in Augsburg – Germany
- IMD laboratory in Berlin-Germany
- Inatoss In Oss, Netherlands
- Armin Labs in Germany
- Viewed from another side in Zembla
Most common method used by general practitioners to diagnose Lyme
Lyme disease can be diagnosed in various ways through blood tests. If you have been bitten by a tick, most general practitioners test using the Elisa or Blot test. But unfortunately these tests are not always reliable. The Borrelia spirochete often changes shape by shedding its cell wall and settling elsewhere in the body outside the blood stream. Lyme is difficult to diagnose due to its multiple manifestations, with some forms being resistant to common antibiotics. Borellia thrives in an acidic environment and prefers to consume collagen (connective tissue). That is why more and more people are having their blood checked at the laboratories below.
Other tests related to Lyme
Many more tests are possible than the above Elisa or Blot test after a tick bite. The most reliable test at the moment is the LTT Elispot Borrelia or its updated version, the Lyme Spot. These are carried out in Germany.
In addition, it is often advisable to be tested for co-infections that are often associated with the Lyme infection. Which co-infections you should be tested for depends on the complaints you have. Each co-infection brings with it other possible complaints. It is possible to have these tests done yourself, but it is more convenient to have the tests performed by a doctor. The doctor can then guide you further and explain the test results and start possible treatment.
Pro Health laboratory in Weert
The possible tests offered regarding Lyme are here:
- Elisha
- Western Blot
- Melisa LTT
- PCR
- CD57
Testing can also be performed for various co-infections.
Infectolab in Augsburg – Germany
Infectolab is affiliated with the Borreliosis Center Augsburg. This center specializes in treating people with Lyme and any co-infections. The laboratory is seen as a commercial laboratory, which is why some doctors in the Netherlands do not accept the results of this laboratory.
They offer as tests:
- Elisha
- Blot
- PCR
- CD57
- LTT Elispot Borrelia
- Lyme Spot (new, improved version of LTT Elispot)
There are a number of doctors in the Netherlands who collaborate with this laboratory for blood tests. You must then go to this doctor for blood tests. These doctors will go through a list with you so that they can indicate which co-infections also need to be tested. Frequently occurring co-infections are: bartonella, babesia, ehrlichia, ricketsia, chlamydia, Q fever and FSME.
IMD laboratory in Berlin-Germany
Institut für Medizinische Diagnostik Berlin-Potsda is a forensic laboratory in Germany where various blood tests related to Lyme can be performed. They offer various tests, including the LTT Melisa.
You can have your blood taken in this laboratory, but it is also possible to send blood to this laboratory. However, there are some conditions attached to this. For example, for LTT testing, the blood must be present in the laboratory within 24 hours. This means that it is not convenient to have blood drawn at the end of the week because of the weekend that is in between. The puncture kit can be requested from the Berlin laboratory, but you must find out for yourself where and when you can have blood drawn in your area. If this is successful, the blood must be sent to Berlin by courier. FedEx is an example of such a courier service. It is then useful to have blood taken in the morning and then have it sent due to the 24-hour period. Also indicate that it is a blood sample that needs to be sent, for which the courier must bring a special envelope.
Inatoss In Oss, Netherlands
Inatoss is a laboratory in Oss where you can get tested. They can test using ELISA and also use the more expensive Immunoblot test. In this laboratory they test various other infectious diseases, such as Q fever.
Armin Labs in Germany
Lyme and various co-infections can also be tested at this German laboratory. They have a Dutch website.
Viewed from another side in Zembla
In October 2017, the television program Zembla devoted an entire episode to a number of the German laboratories mentioned above. The program followed several Danish patients who had been tested in Germany. Unfortunately, Zembla’s conclusion was not favorable compared to the laboratory results. Some Danish journalists were also tested who, according to them, were completely healthy. These journalists also received the result that borellia had been found in their blood. The live blood analysis in the follow-up process also showed spirochetes, Lyme according to the therapist treated.
