Lyme arthritis is a late-stage manifestation of Lyme disease characterized by episodes of swelling and pain in large joints, particularly the knee. It is caused by the bacterial infection Borrelia burgdorferi transmitted through tick bites, typically occurring months to years after the initial untreated infection. The Lyme Disease Antibody with Reflex to Antibodies IGG & IGM Blot is the most important test for diagnosing Lyme arthritis.
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Lyme arthritis is caused by the bacterial infection Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (deer ticks). When Lyme disease goes untreated in its early stages, the bacteria can spread through the bloodstream to joint tissues, particularly targeting large joints like the knees. This bacterial invasion triggers an inflammatory response in the joint, leading to the characteristic episodes of swelling, pain, and stiffness that define Lyme arthritis, typically appearing months to years after the initial tick bite.
The Lyme Disease Antibody with Reflex to Antibodies IGG & IGM Blot is the most important test for Lyme arthritis because it detects specific antibodies your immune system produces in response to Borrelia burgdorferi infection. This comprehensive test starts with an initial screening and automatically reflexes to confirmatory Western blot testing for both IgG and IgM antibodies if the screening is positive or equivocal. The two-tiered approach provides the most reliable and accurate method to confirm that your joint symptoms are related to Lyme disease, helping distinguish Lyme arthritis from other types of arthritis and ensuring you receive appropriate antibiotic treatment.
You should get tested if you experience sudden swelling and pain in one or more large joints (especially your knees) and have a history of tick exposure or live in an area where Lyme disease is common. Testing is particularly important if you had a tick bite weeks or months ago, even if you never developed the classic bulls-eye rash, or if your joint symptoms come and go in episodes. You should also consider testing if you have unexplained arthritis that hasn't responded to typical treatments, or if you spend time in wooded or grassy areas where deer ticks are present.
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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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