Lyme Disease (Borrelia Antibodies) IgG/IgM
Private Lyme Disease Borrelia IgG/IgM blood test in London for £128, measuring 2 antibody markers with results expected in around 2 business days.
Turnaround time
2 business days
Biomarkers count
2
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Overview of the Lyme Disease (Borrelia Antibodies) IgG/IgM
The Lyme Disease (Borrelia Antibodies) IgG/IgM blood test detects IgG and IgM antibodies produced in response to Borrelia bacteria associated with Lyme borreliosis.
The test contains 2 biomarkers: Borrelia IgG Antibodies and Borrelia IgM Antibodies.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted through the bite of infected Ixodes ticks.
In the UK and Europe, several Borrelia species can cause Lyme borreliosis.
Tick exposure is more likely in wooded, grassy or heathland environments, particularly where deer and other wildlife are present.
Not every tick carries Borrelia, and not every infected tick transmits infection.
Risk generally increases the longer an infected tick remains attached.
One of the most recognisable early features is erythema migrans, an expanding red rash that may gradually spread from the site of the tick bite.
The rash is not always a classic bull's-eye shape.
Where typical erythema migrans is present following plausible tick exposure, Lyme disease can often be diagnosed clinically and treatment should not necessarily be delayed while waiting for antibody testing.
This is important because antibodies may still be negative during the earliest stage of infection.
IgM antibodies usually develop earlier, while IgG antibodies become more prominent later and can remain detectable for years after infection.
A positive antibody result therefore does not automatically prove that current symptoms are caused by active Lyme disease.
Screening serology may require confirmatory immunoblot testing when positive or equivocal, depending on the laboratory algorithm.
Clinical and travel history are important and should accompany the request.
What Does the Lyme Disease (Borrelia Antibodies) IgG/IgM Test Check?
This test measures 2 biomarkers.
Borrelia IgG Antibodies
Detects an IgG immune response to Borrelia. IgG generally develops later and can persist long after infection.
Borrelia IgM Antibodies
Detects an IgM immune response that can occur earlier after infection but requires careful interpretation because isolated IgM reactivity can be non-specific.
Who May Benefit From the Lyme Disease (Borrelia Antibodies) IgG/IgM Test?
Testing may be useful when compatible symptoms occur after plausible tick exposure, particularly once sufficient time has passed for antibodies to develop.
People with possible tick exposure and compatible systemic symptoms - Serology can support assessment when Lyme disease is clinically plausible.
People with unexplained neurological symptoms after potential tick exposure - Neuroborreliosis may require specialist evaluation and additional investigations.
People with new facial nerve palsy and relevant exposure history - Lyme disease is one potential cause of peripheral facial palsy.
People with unexplained large-joint swelling following possible exposure - Lyme arthritis can occur during later infection.
People with previous erythema migrans who were not tested or treated and later develop compatible symptoms - Serology may provide useful evidence of immune exposure.
People with cardiac conduction abnormalities and relevant exposure - Lyme carditis is uncommon but clinically important.
People with a previous equivocal Borrelia result - Repeat or confirmatory testing may help clarify the pattern.
People who have travelled or lived in Lyme-endemic areas - Geographical exposure increases the relevance of testing.
People specifically referred for Borrelia IgG/IgM testing - Clinical and travel history should accompany the sample.
How to Prepare
Testing too early after infection can produce a false-negative antibody result because the immune response may not yet be measurable.
If a typical erythema migrans rash is present, do not delay clinical assessment or treatment simply to wait for antibody testing.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Lyme Disease (Borrelia Antibodies) IgG/IgM Test
Lyme disease can affect the skin, nervous system, joints and, less commonly, the heart.
An expanding red rash after a tick bite - Erythema migrans is an important early sign and may be sufficient for a clinical diagnosis without waiting for serology.
Fever or flu-like symptoms following tick exposure - Early Lyme disease can cause fever, headache, fatigue and general aches.
Marked fatigue after a compatible exposure - Fatigue can accompany infection but is highly non-specific.
Facial weakness or facial nerve palsy - Lyme neuroborreliosis can affect cranial nerves.
Shooting nerve pain, numbness or altered sensation - Neurological Lyme disease can involve peripheral nerves or nerve roots.
Severe headache or neck stiffness with relevant exposure - Meningeal involvement requires urgent clinical assessment.
Intermittent swelling of a large joint - Lyme arthritis often affects large joints such as the knee.
Palpitations, fainting or unexplained conduction abnormalities - Lyme carditis can affect cardiac electrical conduction and requires prompt assessment.
A previous tick bite followed weeks later by compatible symptoms - The relationship between exposure timing and symptoms is central to interpretation.
These symptoms are not specific to Lyme disease and can occur in many other infections, neurological disorders and inflammatory conditions.
A typical erythema migrans rash should be clinically assessed promptly, while fainting, severe neurological symptoms, meningitis symptoms or significant cardiac abnormalities require urgent medical attention.
How to Book Your Lyme Disease (Borrelia Antibodies) IgG/IgM Test
Booking your Lyme Disease antibody test with London Blood Tests is straightforward.
Choose the Lyme Disease (Borrelia Antibodies) IgG/IgM
Select the two-marker Borrelia antibody test.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an in-clinic blood draw or professional home or hotel phlebotomy.
Attend your appointment
A trained healthcare professional collects the required venous blood sample and your clinical and travel history should be supplied.
Laboratory analysis
Your serum undergoes specialist testing for Borrelia IgG and IgM antibodies.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised Borrelia serology report is delivered securely with confirmatory testing or clinical review advised where appropriate.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The expected laboratory turnaround for Lyme Disease (Borrelia Antibodies) IgG/IgM is approximately 2 business days after the sample reaches the laboratory.
The current specialist laboratory requires clinical history and travel history with this request because antibody results cannot be interpreted properly without exposure context.
Once the sample is received, Borrelia antibody analysis, quality control and authorisation are completed before the report is released.
Where initial serology is positive or equivocal, Borrelia Confirmation by immunoblot may subsequently be required.
Confirmatory testing has a longer laboratory turnaround than the initial antibody screen and can extend the total diagnostic process beyond the initial two business days.
Understanding Your Results
A negative IgG and IgM result means measurable Borrelia antibodies were not detected.
When testing occurs sufficiently long after symptom onset, this makes Lyme disease less likely.
However, early infection can occur before antibodies have developed.
A positive IgM result can support recent infection when symptoms and timing are compatible.
Isolated IgM results require particular caution because non-specific or false-positive IgM reactivity can occur.
A positive IgG result provides evidence of an immune response to Borrelia.
IgG can remain detectable for many years and therefore does not automatically mean that a current symptom is caused by ongoing active infection.
Positive or equivocal screening tests may require confirmatory immunoblot testing according to the laboratory algorithm.
Serology should therefore be interpreted with the exposure history, symptom pattern, timing and previous treatment.
Repeat antibody testing is not generally useful for monitoring whether adequately treated Lyme disease has been cured because antibodies can remain positive long after treatment.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
Private Lyme disease testing in London - Access specialist Borrelia IgG and IgM serology privately.
Two antibody classes assessed - The profile includes both IgG and IgM immune responses.
Relevant after tick exposure - Exposure and travel history can be incorporated into interpretation.
Useful for later manifestations - Serology becomes more informative once sufficient time has passed for antibodies to develop.
Specialist immunology analysis - Samples undergo dedicated Borrelia antibody testing.
Fast initial results - The current initial turnaround is approximately 2 business days.
Clinic and home collection options - Professional blood collection can be arranged.
Clear pricing - Lyme Disease Borrelia IgG/IgM testing costs £128.
Private Lyme Disease (Borrelia Antibodies) IgG/IgM Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Lyme Disease Borrelia IgG and IgM blood testing in London for people requiring investigation after possible tick exposure.
The test costs £128 and measures 2 antibody biomarkers.
Results are expected approximately 2 business days after laboratory receipt.
Antibody testing is less sensitive during very early infection, while positive antibodies can persist after previous infection, making clinical interpretation essential.