Lyme disease testing is not black and white. Diagnosing Lyme disease can be challenging, since symptoms often differ between individuals and may resemble those of other illnesses. While blood tests are the most common tool to confirm the diagnosis, additional diagnostic methods may also be considered.
Current Lyme disease tests are often inaccurate, ranging between 20%-50% accuracy depending on the testing method. Because of these limitations, Lyme disease is often clinically diagnosed. If you suspect an infection, it is essential to consult a knowledgeable physician for proper testing and clinical diagnosis. Without proper treatment, Lyme disease can progress and become chronic, affecting multiple systems and leading to persistent symptoms.
It’s crucial to take signs of Lyme disease seriously, even if they aren’t always recognized or supported by doctors. If you suspect you may have Lyme disease, advocate for yourself and explore our resources on reliable testing.
The most common Lyme Disease testing is the CDC recommended tests.
These tests are less than 50% accurate! These include:
- ELISA test for Lyme Disease.
- Western Blot.
Both are indirect tests, meaning they measure the immune system’s antibody response to an infection rather than identifying the actual Borrelia bacteria. This leads to several diagnostic hurdles:
- Delayed Detection: It can take weeks for the body to produce enough antibodies to trigger a positive result.
- Narrow Scope: These tests were originally designed to identify a single species of Borrelia, often failing to catch other strains or co-infections.
- High False-Negative Rates: Depending on the study, these “standard” tests may yield false negatives 50% to 80% of the time.
Diagnosis Beyond the Lab
Many physicians mistakenly rely solely on these lab results to confirm or deny a case of Lyme. However, the CDC itself notes that these tests were not intended as a standalone clinical diagnostic tool. On their website, the CDC states:
“Test results for Lyme disease should always be interpreted in the broader context of a person’s illness and medical history, exposure likelihood, and other test results.”
Because this testing method is increasingly viewed as outdated, it is common for patients to suffer from persistent symptoms despite receiving a negative lab result.
Despite the known limitations of current tests, many practitioners still rely exclusively on laboratory results to definitively rule out Lyme disease. This “test-first” approach can have severe, and serious consequences for patients who are denied treatment based solely on a negative result When clinical symptoms are present but lab work is inconclusive, relying on standard testing can lead to dangerous delays in care.
If you continue to experience symptoms despite a negative result from a standard lab, it may be necessary to seek more specialized diagnostic services. If you test negative, but still have symptoms, we recommend utilizing one of the labs below that are historically more accurate with Lyme Disease testing.
Note: While these specialized labs often provide a more comprehensive look at the immune response, it is important to remember that no test is 100% definitive. A false negative remains a possibility even with advanced testing.
High-Accuracy Specialized Labs
Several private laboratories specialize in vector-borne illnesses, offering panels that go significantly beyond standard two-tier testing. While these tests often require an out-of-pocket investment, they are considered the “gold standard” for patients with complex or chronic symptoms.
IGeneX (USA): Is widely considered the industry leader in specialized Lyme and tick-borne disease diagnostics. While standard laboratory tests often fail to detect complex cases, IGeneX has pioneered technology designed to provide a more complete clinical picture.
- Multi-Species Detection: Their ImmunoBlots detect antibodies for multiple species of Borrelia (including North American and European strains), as well as Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF).
- Superior Sensitivity: While standard two-tier testing (ELISA/Western Blot) is often cited as being roughly 50% sensitive, IGeneX’s ImmunoBlot technology can detect up to 90% of cases in later stages of the disease.
- FDA-Cleared Options: As of 2026, IGeneX offers FDA-cleared Lyme ImmunoBlot kits, providing a new level of clinical validation and reliability for patients and physicians.
Vibrant Wellness (USA): While IGeneX remains a household name in the Lyme community, Vibrant Wellness has emerged as a formidable competitor. Their diagnostic approach is built on advanced silicon-based technology that offers high-resolution detection of tick-borne pathogens. In recent years, Vibrant Wellness has gained significant traction by launching a silicon micro-array platform for their Tickborne Diseases panel. This technology is designed to be more sensitive and specific than traditional Western Blot or ELISA tests, making it a favorite for patients and providers seeking an ultra-comprehensive view of their health. Unlike traditional tests that use large proteins on a strip, Vibrant uses a “chip” (microarray) where thousands of tiny antigens are laser-etched onto silicon wafers. This allows for:
- Unmatched Sensitivity: The platform can detect lower levels of antibodies than many standard labs, identifying infections that might otherwise be missed.
- Massive Scope: The “Tickborne Complete” panel screens for Lyme, Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF), and dozens of co-infections (like Babesia, Bartonella, and Ehrlichia) simultaneously.
- Dual Detection: Many of their panels combine indirect antibody testing (IgG/IgM) with direct DNA detection (PCR), providing a multi-layered look at the presence of the bacteria.
- Efficiency: Because of the automated silicon-chip technology, Vibrant often offers a faster turnaround time and more competitive pricing than other specialized labs.
Galaxy Diagnostics (USA): A leader in “direct detection,” focusing on low-abundance infections like Bartonellaand Borrelia using patented enrichment growth technologies.
ArminLabs (Europe): Specializes in T-cell testing (EliSpot), which can be helpful in detecting early-stage infections or monitoring the activity of a chronic infection.
TLab Diagnostics (USA): Specializes in advanced molecular and imaging-based testing, including FISH (Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization) to visualize bacteria directly in the blood. (?)