Subscribe at: PaleoMagazine.com August/September 2019 67
LYME DISEASEJ
What if it’s too late for prevention, and
you’ve already been bitten by a tick?
A positive blood test and/or a clinical
diagnosis made by a practitioner based on
symptoms and recent tick exposure are of
course indicators that a patient should begin
treatment. That said, for those who actually
witness a bulls-eye rash after being bitten by a
tick, there is no need for testing, and one should
immediately start antibiotic treatment.
It’s worth noting that, while some researchers
believe that Lyme can also be transmitted via
blood transfusions, organ transplants, and from
a mother to a fetus, the CDC clearly states
that “There is no evidence that Lyme disease
is transmitted from person-to-person through
touching, kissing, or having sex with a person
who has Lyme disease.”^2
The CDC currently recommends a two-step
protocol when testing the blood for evidence of
antibodies against the Lyme disease bacteria.
The first step uses an ELISA (enzyme-linked
immunosorbent assay) test. If this first step is
negative, no further testing of the specimen
is recommended. If the first step is positive
or borderline, the second step, a test called an
immunoblot (a.k.a. “Western blot”), should be
performed. Results are considered positive only
if both steps test positive.
Most practitioners are familiar with this
standard two-tier method for testing Lyme
disease. Unfortunately, even in acute cases,
the diagnostic reliability of this process is
questionable. In the early stages of the disease,
this testing method has upwards of a 74.9
percent chance of a false negative because it can
take 4 to 6 weeks after infection for the body to
produce measurable levels of antibodies.3,4
The most commonly used lab test by Lyme-
literate doctors—that is, those familiar with
persistent vector-borne diseases—is IGeneX
Laboratory. IGeneX does not rely on the initial
ELISA or IFA screening test only. They perform
a Lyme ImmunoBlot assay that is approved for use
in the U.S. The test is very sensitive and specific,
and therefore it yields more true-positive results
than the two-tier test. This lab offers slightly
different criteria for determining a positive test,
and it tests for both U.S. and European species
of Lyme Borrelia, whereas the standard two-tier
protocol tests for only one species.Tests to
Diagnose Lyme
Finding a Lyme-Literate Doctor
If, after taking the Horowitz Lyme-MSIDS Questionnaire
mentioned in my last article, you suspect you have Lyme disease, it is
important to find a Lyme-literate doctor to perform the appropriate
workup and lab testing. For those with a new or early infection,
seeking treatment as soon as possible is urgent for the best outcome.
Since lab testing is not the gold-standard means of uncovering a
persistent infection, a clinical diagnosis with a Lyme-literate doctor is
ideal for successful treatment of a vector-borne disease.
A simple internet search or referral is typically the easiest way to
track down a local practitioner who specializes in Lyme. This person
may be a naturopath, chiropractor, nurse practitioner, or medical
doctor. In many cases, those who specialize in Lyme have personal
experience with this disease that results in a strong passion for
helping others with the condition.
In addition, larger Lyme specialty clinics can be found around the
U.S., including: the Sponaugle Wellness Institute near Clearwater,
Florida, the Envita Natural Medical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona,
and the Hudson Valley Healing Arts Center in Hyde Park, New
York, to name a few.1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 910
11
12
13
14
15
16The Problem Is Bigger Than Lyme
The current standard of care for the treatment of Lyme disease
appears to be focused primarily around acute cases and early treatment.
When Lyme becomes chronic, it requires a broader approach. Dr.
Richard Horowitz, a Lyme disease specialist and author of Why Can’t
I Get Better? Solving the Mystery of Lyme and Chronic Disease and How
Can I Get Better?, has developed what he calls the Multiple Systemic
Infectious Diseases Syndrome 16-Point Model, in which he explains
that there are up to 16 reasons patients with chronic disease do not get
better. His focus for treating a chronic infection is to:
Treat all potential infections (bacterial, parasitic, and viral)
Support immune function
ReducePUÅHTTH[PVU
Address environmental toxins
SupportU\[YP[PVUHSHUKLUa`TLKLÄJPLUJPLZ
Enhance mitochondrial function
Balance hormones
Address neurological dysfunction
Improve mental status
Improve sleep
Support the autonomic nervous system
Address allergies and sensitivities
Improve the gut microbiome
Support liver function
Manage pain
Promote exercise and movement