Borrelia WB IgG: A Key Biomarker in Lyme Disease Diagnostics
The Borrelia Western Blot IgG (Immunoglobulin G) is a vital component in the diagnostic process for Lyme disease, an infection caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. IgG antibodies are part of the body’s adaptive immune response and typically develop weeks to months after initial infection, indicating either past exposure or a current, longer-term immune response. Because Lyme disease is a complex, multi-stage illness with varying symptomatology depending on the stage, the IgG Western Blot test provides valuable insights, especially in patients with symptoms that suggest chronic or late-stage infection.
Understanding Borrelia WB IgG in the Context of Lyme Disease
In the typical two-step testing approach recommended by the CDC, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is conducted first to screen for Lyme disease. If this test is positive or equivocal, a Western Blot test is used to confirm the diagnosis, distinguishing between the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi. For an IgG Western Blot to be considered positive, it generally requires reactivity to at least 5 out of 10 specified protein bands. These bands represent different proteins of Borrelia burgdorferi, with each band corresponding to a different molecular weight protein such as P41 (flagellin), OspC, and P100. The presence of these antibodies suggests that the immune system has previously encountered the bacterium and has generated a memory response, which is characteristic of a later or persistent infection.
IgG antibodies play a critical role in long-term immunity and are often present in the bloodstream long after the initial infection. As a result, a positive IgG test does not necessarily mean that the infection is active but does indicate past exposure to the Lyme-causing bacteria. Therefore, a positive Borrelia WB IgG result, when combined with clinical symptoms, provides strong evidence that a patient may be dealing with Lyme disease. However, clinicians consider this result alongside the IgM test and clinical history to differentiate between an active infection and residual antibodies from a past infection.
The Role of P100 in the IgG Panel
The P100 antigen, a 100 kDa protein specific to Borrelia burgdorferi, is often included in the Western Blot IgG panel and can be particularly indicative of later-stage Lyme disease or a prolonged immune response. P100 is one of several proteins the immune system may recognize and produce antibodies against over time, though it tends to become detectable after the infection has persisted for an extended period. Its presence, alongside other IgG bands, supports the likelihood of a more established infection. Because P100 reactivity usually correlates with the later stages of Lyme disease, it’s often absent in early infection, making it a specific marker in cases where Lyme disease has progressed.
While P100 is informative, it does not stand alone as a diagnostic criterion. A positive P100 result should be assessed with other reactive bands in the IgG Western Blot, helping confirm the immune system’s response to various Borrelia antigens over time. Clinically, this may also point to cases where a patient has been infected but was either undiagnosed or untreated in the early stages, allowing the infection to advance. As such, P100's presence on the IgG panel supports the likelihood of a persistent or chronic infection rather than a recent, acute exposure.
Borrelia WB IgM and Its Relationship with IgG and P100
The Borrelia Western Blot IgM test detects Immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies, which generally develop early after infection and are considered markers of acute or recent infection. In cases of new Lyme disease infection, IgM antibodies tend to appear within 2 to 4 weeks and may persist for several months. A positive IgM result typically requires reactivity to 2 of 3 bands, focusing on different proteins than the IgG panel. The IgM Western Blot helps identify an active immune response early in infection, which is particularly useful for diagnosing Lyme disease in patients with recent exposure or early-stage symptoms.
When both IgM and IgG antibodies are positive, it may indicate an ongoing or progressive infection where the immune response is evolving. Over time, as the immune system's response matures, IgM antibodies often decline, while IgG antibodies, such as those targeting P100, become more prominent. Therefore, in chronic or late-stage Lyme disease, IgM antibodies may no longer be present, while IgG antibodies, including those directed at P100, reflect an established immune response.
The relationship between IgM and IgG is important diagnostically because it indicates different stages of infection. A positive IgM with a negative IgG generally points to early Lyme disease, while a positive IgG without IgM could indicate a past infection or a later stage of Lyme. If both IgM and IgG are positive, it may reflect an ongoing infection or the body's continued immune response. In cases where P100 is also positive on the IgG panel, it can signal that the infection is long-standing or that there has been prolonged immune activation, which can be especially relevant for patients presenting with persistent or chronic symptoms. This combination of results can help clinicians decide whether treatment is necessary and guide the approach to patient management.
Clinical Interpretation of Borrelia WB IgG, IgM, and P100 Results
Interpreting these test results can be complex. If a patient has a positive IgM but a negative IgG, it often signifies a recent infection, and treatment may be pursued to prevent the disease from progressing. However, a positive IgG without IgM generally suggests past exposure, possibly without an active infection. In cases where P100 is positive, it may indicate that the immune system had prolonged exposure to Borrelia burgdorferi, potentially pointing toward a late-stage or persistent infection. This is particularly relevant for patients with ongoing symptoms that resemble late-stage Lyme disease or post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS).
The combination of a positive IgG, including reactivity to P100, with a negative IgM can sometimes be observed in patients who have had Lyme disease in the past and now have lasting antibodies. However, clinicians consider these findings alongside symptom history, exposure risk, and additional diagnostic tools to determine whether the infection is active or if lingering antibodies are responsible for the immune response. Persistent antibodies, especially in chronic or late Lyme disease, can result in ongoing immune reactivity even after treatment, which may contribute to symptoms.
Conclusion
The Borrelia WB IgG test, particularly in conjunction with IgM and markers like P100, is a crucial tool in the diagnosis and management of Lyme disease. The presence of IgG antibodies suggests past exposure or a longer-term immune response, with P100 adding significant diagnostic value by indicating the possibility of chronic infection. Meanwhile, the IgM test is invaluable for identifying early-stage Lyme, offering insight into recent exposure. Together, these biomarkers provide a comprehensive picture of the infection stage, allowing clinicians to tailor treatment approaches. However, given the complexities of Lyme disease, these results are best interpreted with clinical evaluation, ensuring that a patient’s history, symptomatology, and test results align for an accurate diagnosis.
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Easily upload lab results from any provider, whether it's a hospital, independent lab, or home testing service. We support PDFs, scanned documents, and JPEGs from patient portals. No need to log in to multiple platforms — everything is centralized in one secure space.
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Whether it's a blood test, GI panel, urinalysis, or something else, lab reports measure numerous biomarkers that reveal what's happening inside your body. Our extensive database covers over 10,000 biomarkers, providing clear, simple explanations of what each result means and how you can take action—no matter your membership level. Say goodbye to confusion and get the insights you need to better understand your health.
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Enter Your Lab Reports — Always Free
If you'd like to handle inputting your health data into your account, you can do so with our easy-to-use data entry forms. Our user-friendly form is designed to guide you through the quick and easy submission process, making it simple to keep track of your health metrics. This is available to both Complete plan and Unlimited plan members.
Our user-friendly form guides you through a quick, simple submission process, making it easy to enter your health metrics.
Add your results anytime with our easy entry form. It's quick, guided, and helps you stay organized — free for all members.
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View your lab data through easy-to-read graphs and tables. Quickly spot patterns, track changes, and compare results across different dates — all without digging through multiple reports. You can also select and compare graphs of specific biomarkers side-by-side to better understand how they relate and change over time.
See your lab reports in clear graphs and tables. Spot patterns, track changes, and compare results over time — all in one place.
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Export Your Complete Lab History
After collecting lab results from different providers, you can download your entire history combined into a single file. Choose from PDF, Excel, or CSV formats to easily review, share, or get a second opinion—no more juggling multiple reports.
After collecting lab results from different providers, you can download your entire history combined into a single file.
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Data Entry Service for Your Reports
Our inclusive service handles the data entry for your lab reports. Just submit your information and we'll take care of the rest. Complete plan members receive one report entered for free, then $15 per report after that. Unlimited plan members receive ten report entries for free, then $15 per report after that.
Our inclusive service handles the data entry for your lab reports. Just submit your information and we'll take care of the rest.
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Whether you're working with a doctor, nutritionist, caregiver, or wellness coach, you can securely share your complete lab history by sending an invite link to anyone you trust. You have full control over who sees your information and for how long, ensuring your privacy and peace of mind at every step.
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I have been using Healthmatters.io since 2021. I travel all over the world and use different doctors and health facilities. This site has allowed me to consolidate all my various test results over 14 years in one place. And every doctor that I show this to has been impressed. Because with any health professional I talk to, I can pull up historical results in seconds. It is invaluable. Even going back to the same doctor, they usually do not have the historical results from their facility in a graph format. That has been very helpful.
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As a PRO member and medical practitioner, Healthmatters.io has been an invaluable tool for tracking my clients' data. The layout is intuitive, making it easy to monitor trends and spot patterns over time. The ability to customize reports and charts helps me present information clearly to my clients, improving communication and outcomes. It's streamlined my workflow, saving me time and providing insights at a glance. Highly recommended for any practitioner looking for a comprehensive and user-friendly solution to track patient labs!
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Healthmatters is a personal health dashboard that helps you organize and understand your lab results. It collects and displays your medical test data from any lab in one secure, easy-to-use platform.
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Professionals can also analyze client data more efficiently and save time managing lab reports.
Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:
You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.
If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.
While we work with many popular labs, we welcome reports from lots of other places too.
It's as simple as this: if you can get a test done, you can upload it to Healthmatters and we can interpret results from any lab out there. If laboratories can analyze it, we can interpret it.
If you're on the hunt for a specific biomarker, contact us and we'll add it to our database. Anything from blood, urine, saliva, or stool can be uploaded, understood, and tracked with your Healthmatters account.
The Complete Plan ($15/month) is perfect for individuals who want ongoing access to their health data. It includes unlimited lab imports, visual tracking, custom ranges, result explanations, full account exports, and secure sharing — all with a simple monthly subscription. You can cancel anytime and restart your plan whenever you're ready — your data will still be there waiting for you. You can also upgrade to the Unlimited Plan at any time, with the cost prorated based on what you've already paid.
The Unlimited Plan ($250 one-time) is also designed for individuals but offers lifetime access with no ongoing subscription. You'll get all the same features as the Complete Plan, plus a larger initial data entry allowance (10 reports), making it a great choice if you prefer a one-time payment and long-term use without monthly fees.
In short:
There are two ways to add your test reports to your Healthmatters account. One option is to input the data using the data entry forms. The other method is to utilize our "Data entry service."
Our data entry forms offer an easy, fast, and free way for you to input the reports yourself. Self-entry allows you to add an unlimited number of reports at no cost. We make the self-entry process user-friendly, providing dozens of templates that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels and offering instant feedback on entered values.
For those who prefer assistance, we offer a "Data entry service" to help you input your data. Simply attach an image or file of your lab test results, and a qualified team member from our data entry team will add the results for you.
We support various file types, including PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is particularly useful if you have many reports to upload or if you're too busy to handle the data entry yourself.
Our Data Entry Service is for when you don't want to manually type in your lab results yourself. You simply upload your report (PDF, image, or screenshot), and our trained team enters the information into your Healthmatters account for you — accurately and neatly organized, ready to view in graphs, tables, and timelines.
The $15 per report covers the time and care it takes for a real person to review your file, make sure each result is entered correctly, and double-check for accuracy. This ensures your health data is precise and easy to work with — without you having to spend the time doing it yourself.
Prefer to do it yourself? You can always use our free self-entry tool to add results manually — it just takes a bit more time and attention.
For users on the Complete monthly plan, the first report is entered free of charge, and each additional report incurs a fee of $15.
Unlimited account holders enjoy the entry of ten reports without charge. Subsequent reports are subject to a $15 fee per report.
Additionally, users on the Complete plan can upgrade to a yearly subscription from the account settings. The annual subscription includes a data entry service for five reports.
All professional accounts allow you to import and onboard an unlimited number of clients and their lab results. The distinction between professional plans lies solely in the data entry service.
The Pro Monthly Plus plan is priced at $75 per month and includes a data entry service for five reports each month. Additional reports can be self-entered at no extra cost or, if preferred, you can use our data entry service for an additional fee of $15 per report.
The Pro Monthly plan is priced at $45 per month and does not include a data entry service. Self-entry is free for an unlimited number of reports, and you can opt for the data entry service at a fee of $15 per report.
You also have the option to upgrade to higher monthly or to annual plans, which come with substantial discounts. All upgrades can be done directly from your account.
Simply log in and navigate to your account settings to cancel your subscription. Scroll down to locate the 'Cancel' button at the bottom of the page. Ensure you cancel at least one day before the renewal date to prevent any charges. Once cancellation is requested, the subscription remains active until the conclusion of the current billing cycle.
Our goal has been to make your Healthmatters account as intuitive as possible.
We've crafted multiple ways for you to navigate your data, whether you're glancing at a single report or delving into your historical test reports.
1. Graph View:Dive into a visual journey with our biomarker graphs, showcasing over 40 data points. Combining years of results unveils trends, empowering you to make informed decisions. Our visualization tools make it a breeze to compare and understand changes over time, even if your results are from different labs. A search function and filters simplify the exploration of extensive data, allowing you to focus on what needs attention.
2. All Tests ViewExplore neatly organized reports on a timeline, highlighting crucial details like dates, critical results, and lab/panel names. Each report opens up to reveal in-depth descriptions and additional recommendations for each biomarker. The history of previous results is just a click away, and you can download a comprehensive report for deeper insights. Color-coded and user-friendly, it's designed for easy reading, understanding, and navigation.
3. Table View:For a holistic view of all biomarkers side by side, our table view is your go-to. Results are neatly displayed in a categorized and dated table, ideal for those with an extensive test history. Utilize sorting, filters, and color-coding to enhance your analysis and gain extra insights.
Yes, you can download your information anytime. We offer two easy ways to export your lab data:
This makes it simple to save, back up, or share your health data whenever you need.
Yes, you can print your report. To do so, navigate to "All tests" and open the report you wish to print. You'll find a print button in the right corner of the report. Click on it, and your browser's print window will open. If you prefer to print in a bigger typeface, adjust the scale using the print window settings.
Yes, you can! We highly recommend activating Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for your account. To do so, please navigate to the "Profile and Security" section of your account, where you will find instructions for activating 2FA.
Yes, you can. When entering values for the biomarker, you will see an "Edit Range" button. Click this button, and you'll have the option to enter a custom range.
A personal account is all about keeping your own lab test results in check. It's just for you and your personal use.
The professional account is designed for health professionals who wish to track and organize their clients' laboratory results.
To learn more about Healthmatters Pro, please refer to the professional page.
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.
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