A false positive Lyme disease result occurs when initial screening tests suggest Lyme disease infection, but the patient does not actually have the condition. It is caused by cross-reactive antibodies produced in response to other infections like syphilis, anaplasmosis, or autoimmune diseases that trigger similar immune responses to the Borrelia bacteria. The Lyme Disease Antibody with Reflex to Antibodies IGG & IGM Blot is the most important test for distinguishing true Lyme disease from false positive results.
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A false positive Lyme disease test is caused by cross-reactive antibodies that your immune system produces in response to other infections or conditions. Specifically, infections like syphilis caused by Treponema pallidum bacteria, anaplasmosis from Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Epstein-Barr virus, and autoimmune diseases such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can trigger antibodies that mimic the immune response to Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria that causes Lyme disease. These antibodies react with the initial Lyme screening test proteins, creating a positive result even though you do not have an active Lyme infection.
The Lyme Disease Antibody with Reflex to Antibodies IGG & IGM Blot is the most important test for determining whether an initial positive Lyme screening is a true infection or a false positive. This two-tiered testing approach starts with an enzyme immunoassay screening test, then automatically reflexes to the more specific Western blot confirmatory test if the initial screen is positive. The Western blot analyzes specific protein bands to distinguish true Lyme disease antibodies from cross-reactive antibodies produced by other conditions. If your screening is positive but the Western blot is negative, this indicates a false positive result and rules out active Lyme disease, preventing unnecessary antibiotic treatment.
You should get tested if you received a positive Lyme disease screening test but do not have typical Lyme symptoms like a bulls-eye rash, joint pain, or neurological symptoms, especially if you have a history of other infections or autoimmune conditions. Testing is also important if you had a positive screening without known tick exposure or if you live in an area where Lyme disease is uncommon. Additionally, you should pursue confirmatory testing if your doctor suspects your positive result might be related to syphilis, other tick-borne diseases, or autoimmune disorders, as this will prevent unnecessary antibiotic treatment and guide proper diagnosis of your actual condition.
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What this means
Your testosterone levels are slightly below the optimal range. While this is not necessarily cause for concern, it may contribute to occasional fatigue, reduced motivation, or lower muscle mass over time.
Recommended actions
Increase resistance or strength training
Prioritize 7–8 hours of quality sleep per night, try to reduce stress
Include more zinc- and magnesium-rich foods (like shellfish, beef, pumpkin seeds, spinach)
Consider retesting in 3–6 months
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