3 common mistakes most doctors make when evaluating for Lyme disease

Lyme disease, a tick-borne illness, is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed, leading to prolonged suffering for many patients. Despite its increasing prevalence, several common mistakes persist in the evaluation and diagnosis of Lyme disease. Recognizing these errors is crucial for both healthcare providers and patients to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective treatment:

1. Only testing for Lyme when there’s a Bull’s eye rash present. The erythema migrans rash (EM), an early telltale sign of the disease, is not present on everyone infected by a tick bite. When EM is present, the “bull’s eye” rash is only one type of possible EM rash.
2. Only testing with ELISA and the Western blot. This two-tier testing method is often inadequate. These tests can lead to false results, and sensitivities have been shown to vary depending on the manifestation and stage of disease.
3. Not testing for tick-borne co-infections. There are several other infections (such as Babesia and Bartonella) that can be transmitted by black-legged ticks. If co-infections are unevaluated, a doctor may effectively treat Lyme disease, but still have patients who remain ill.

This is why it’s so important to be your own advocate. The more you know, the better you can advocate for yourself.

At Turnpaugh Health, we believe in empowering our patients with knowledge and advocating for more comprehensive testing and treatment approaches. Our functional medicine providers are ILADS-certified, and we support the use of advanced testing methods from labs like Vibrant Labs and iGenex, which offer more accurate detection of Lyme disease and its co-infections. If you suspect you may have Lyme disease or co-infections, or if you have questions about testing and treatment, contact our office at 717-795-9566. Your health and well-being are our top priorities, and we are here to provide the care and support you need.