Lyme disease blood test

A blood sample is needed. A laboratory specialist looks for Lyme disease antibodies in the blood sample using the ELISA test . If the ELISA test is positive, it must be confirmed with another test called the Western blot test.

You do not need to take special steps to prepare for this test.

When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise. This soon goes away.

The test is done to check for the diagnosis of Lyme disease.

A negative test result is normal. This means none or few antibodies to Lyme disease were seen in your blood sample. If the ELISA test is negative, usually no other testing is needed. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk…

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. Only a positive Western blot test can confirm the diagnosis of Lyme disease. For many people, the…

There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins and arteries vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other. Taking blood from some people may be more difficult than from others. Other risks associated with having blood drawn are slight but may include: Fainting or…

Nikolic D. Spirochete infections. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 61. Steere AC. Lyme disease (Lyme borreliosis) due to Borrelia burgdorferi . In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and…