Tick-Borne Disease Testing

Not all tick-borne illnesses are diagnosed the same way, and there is no single test that is appropriate for every situation. Sometimes Lyme is a clinical diagnosis, meaning a positive test is not needed to initiate treatment, such as when a Lyme rash is present.

Testing options may include:

- Conventional laboratory testing

- Alpha-gal IgE testing

- Specialty laboratories such as IGeneX, TLab, Galaxy Diagnostics, and Vibrant Wellness

The most appropriate testing depends on your symptoms, timing of illness, exposure history, availability, budget, and testing goals.

Choosing the Right Tests

Testing for tick-borne diseases can be complex. Our testing visits are designed to help determine which tests, if any, make sense based on your individual history and clinical presentation.

We will review your symptoms, tick exposure history, previous testing, and treatment history (if applicable) to develop a personalized testing plan.

Important Timing Considerations

After a tick bite, it can take more than 30 days for antibodies to develop against Lyme disease and certain other infections. Testing too soon after a bite may result in false-negative results, even if infection is present.

Because of this, the timing of testing is often just as important as the type of test selected.

What Happens After Testing?

If testing is performed and significant findings are identified, a follow-up visit may be recommended to review results, discuss their interpretation, and determine appropriate next steps.

Costs and Insurance

The consultation fee covers evaluation and testing recommendations only.

- Laboratory testing costs are not included in the visit fee.

- Follow-up visits are not included in the visit fee.

- Specialty laboratories are generally not covered by insurance and may require out-of-pocket payment.

- Some conventional laboratory tests, including alpha-gal IgE testing, may be covered by insurance depending on your specific plan and benefits.

Coverage and patient responsibility vary by insurance carrier and individual policy.