Test library
Lyme IgG IgM Test
The Lyme Disease Antibody Test looks for IgG and IgM antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium associated with Lyme disease. It is usually performed as a two-step process after a compatible exposure history.
Order Lyme Disease Antibody Test
Order online and visit a local collection site, or choose an at-home kit where available. No referral and no insurance required.
Order Lyme Disease Antibody Test- Typical turnaround
- 1-3 business days
- Starting price
- From $159
- Results
- Confidential, online
Quick answer
The Lyme Disease Antibody Test is a blood test that detects antibodies the immune system makes against Borrelia burgdorferi, the tickborne bacterium associated with Lyme disease. Because antibodies take time to appear, timing relative to a tick bite matters. Standard practice is a two-step approach, with a sensitive screening test followed, when needed, by a more specific confirmation. Results are interpreted with the exposure history and symptoms.
What this test measures
Lyme disease is transmitted by certain tick species, and the immune response to the bacterium includes IgM and IgG antibodies. IgM tends to appear earlier and IgG later, so the pattern of results can carry information about timing. A blood test does not detect the bacterium directly, and early infection before antibodies develop may be missed by antibody testing.
Testing usually begins with an enzyme immunoassay that measures antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi, sometimes including the C6 peptide. If that screen is positive or equivocal, a Western blot for IgM and IgG is commonly run to look for specific antibody bands. Some laboratories use a modified two-tier approach with different second-step assays.
The test is ordered when a person has symptoms that could fit Lyme disease and a history that makes it plausible, such as time spent in wooded or grassy areas where ticks live. A positive result does not by itself prove active infection, because antibodies can persist after treatment, and a negative result early in the illness may need to be repeated. A qualified healthcare provider interprets the findings.
- Borrelia burgdorferi total antibodies by enzyme immunoassay
- C6 peptide antibodies (VlsE) when included
- IgG antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi
- IgM antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi
- Western blot IgG bands when performed
- Western blot IgM bands when performed
- p41 flagellin band when reported
- OspC band when reported
Why people order this test
- Evaluate symptoms after a possible tick bite
- Follow up a positive Lyme screening test
- Assess antibody patterns consistent with Lyme disease
- Support a clinical evaluation when exposure history is compatible
- Check for antibodies when a rash or joint symptoms raise suspicion
How to prepare
No fasting is required for this blood test. Follow the laboratory's collection instructions, and share the timing of any known tick bite and your symptom history with the ordering provider.
Understanding your results
Results are typically available within one to three business days. Antibody testing is interpreted as part of a two-step process and with the timing of exposure. A qualified healthcare provider explains what a given result means for the individual.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Lyme testing done in two steps?
The first step is sensitive and casts a wide net. The second step is more specific and helps confirm whether antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi are truly present.
How soon after a tick bite can antibodies be detected?
It takes time for the immune system to produce detectable antibodies, so a test very soon after exposure may be negative even if infection occurred. A provider can advise on timing.
What is the difference between IgG and IgM results?
IgM antibodies tend to appear earlier in the immune response, while IgG antibodies typically appear later and can persist longer. The pattern is read with the exposure timeline.
Can a positive result mean a past infection?
Yes. Antibodies can remain detectable after the infection has resolved, so a positive result is interpreted with symptoms and history rather than in isolation.
Does a negative test rule out Lyme disease?
Not always. Testing too early or after antibodies have faded can produce a negative result. A qualified healthcare provider interprets the result in context.
Ready to get tested?
Order online and visit a collection site near you, or choose a mail-in kit. No referral and no insurance required.
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