$22.00
Priced per marker, with baseline labs included. You’ll see your total before you pay.
Infectious disease
Lyme disease antibodies test
Two-tier Lyme disease testing — screening assay with confirmatory Western blot.
At a glance
In about 5 days
Most results are ready in about 5 days. Some specialty markers can take up to 21 days.
Check before your draw
This marker has no preparation tag, but it can still need preparation. Contact us before your draw if you’re not sure.
Walk in at Quest
Your lab order arrives by email. Most Quest locations take walk-ins, so bring it with a photo ID.
What it measures
Lyme disease is an infection spread by tick bites. This screen looks for antibodies your body makes against it, and if the result is positive or unclear, the lab automatically runs a second, more detailed test.
Why it matters for women
Lyme can cause tiredness and achy, swollen joints, which can look like conditions more common in women, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, so testing can help sort out the cause. Antibodies take several weeks to show up, so testing too soon after a bite may come back negative.
You might check it if…
- you got a fever, aches or a rash after a tick bite
- achy, swollen joints began after visiting an area with Lyme
- a doctor thinks your symptoms could be from Lyme
What your result may mean
High Lyme disease antibodies: what it may mean
High or positive Lyme antibodies may mean a current or past infection with Borrelia, the bacteria spread by tick bites. If the first screen is positive or unclear, the lab can automatically run a second, more detailed test (Western blot), and a positive first screen alone can be a false alarm. Antibodies can last for years, so this result can't tell an old infection from a new one. Lyme can cause tiredness, a spreading rash, fever and achy, swollen joints, which can look like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, conditions more common in women.
Low Lyme disease antibodies: what it may mean
Low or negative Lyme antibodies may mean Lyme disease isn't behind your symptoms, but this result can't rule it out in very early infection. Antibodies can take several weeks to appear, so a test done soon after a tick bite may come back negative, and a clinician may repeat it later. A typical spreading rash may matter more than an early blood test. Tiredness and joint pain can also come from conditions more common in women, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or thyroid problems, so a clinician may look at those next.
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No insurance required · HSA/FSA eligible · No subscription
These notes provide context and do not diagnose a condition. Not yet available in NY, NJ, RI, HI, ND, SD or WV.