How long does it take for Lyme test results?

It can take anywhere from several days to two weeks to get the results of Lyme disease tests.

Why does it take so long to get Lyme disease test results?

Most Lyme disease tests are designed to detect antibodies made by the body in response to infection. Antibodies can take several weeks to develop, so patients may test negative if infected only recently.

How soon can you test positive for Lyme disease?

The CDC cautions that because the test is not likely to be positive until 4 to 6 weeks after infection, doctors who suspect Lyme based on symptoms should prescribe antibiotics even if the test is negative. In practice, however, this doesn’t always happen.

How long does it take to get tick panel results?

Generally, you should receive the results of your tick test within three business days of your specimen being received at the laboratory.

Can you test negative for Lyme but still have it?

It can sometimes give false “positive” results. On the other hand, if you have it done too soon after you’ve been infected, your body may not have developed enough antibodies for the test to detect them. This will give you a “negative” result even though you do have Lyme disease.

How long after a tick bite should you get a blood test?

There is no benefit of blood testing for Lyme disease at the time of the tick bite; even people who become infected will not have a positive blood test until approximately two to six weeks after the infection develops (post-tick bite).

Can you have Lyme but test negative?

There are many reasons why someone who actually has Lyme may have a negative test result. There may not have been time for antibodies to develop; the immune system may be suppressed; or the person may be infected with a strain the test doesn’t measure.

What is the most accurate test for Lyme disease?

A blood test does not only detect Lyme disease; it is the most accurate and preferred test for diagnosing the disease. If a patient with Lyme disease shows signs that the central nervous system has been affected by the disease, western blot testing on the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can be performed.

What is a positive Lyme test result?

A positive ELISA result is abnormal. This means antibodies were seen in your blood sample. But, this does not confirm a diagnosis of Lyme disease. A positive ELISA result must be followed up with a Western blot test.

Will blood tests show Lyme?

The Lyme disease blood test looks for antibodies in the blood to the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. The test is used to help diagnose Lyme disease. Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. It is known as a spirochete because of its long, corkscrew shape.

Can Lyme be undetectable?

If Lyme disease is not diagnosed and treated early, the spirochetes can spread and may go into hiding in different parts of the body. Weeks, months or even years later, patients may develop problems with the brain and nervous system, muscles and joints, heart and circulation, digestion, reproductive system, and skin.