Testing for Lyme: The Best Testing for Your Health and Budget

We’ve seen firsthand how confusing and frustrating the diagnostic process can be for individuals dealing with Lyme disease or chronic illness. Misleading information, outdated testing standards, and inconsistent diagnoses often leave people without the clarity they need to move forward. That’s why we consistently recommend IGeneX as our most trusted laboratory for Lyme and tick-borne disease testing.

Why IGeneX?

IGeneX has been a leader in advanced Lyme disease diagnostics for decades. Unlike many standard labs that rely on outdated or overly narrow criteria, IGeneX uses sensitive and validated testing methods capable of detecting a broader range of Lyme-related bacteria and co-infections. Their panels are tailored for accuracy and thoroughness which is ideal for both first-time testers and those seeking to validate past results that are ambiguous or inconclusive.

Making Sense of the Testing Options

Choosing the right test panel depends on your personal health history, budget, and how much diagnostic certainty you're seeking. Here's a high-level guide to help navigate the most common options:

Option 1: Lyme-Only Focused Panels (IB1, IB2, IB3)

Cost Range: $490 - $800These panels are ideal for those looking for a straightforward, reliable assessment of Lyme disease caused by Borrelia burgdorferi with considerations in place for other potential infections. The progression from IB1 to IB3 adds additional layers of testing for increased accuracy:

• IB1: Entry-level Lyme testing panel

• IB2: Includes additional confirmatory testing

• IB3: Adds even more layers for cross-verification, maximizing confidence in results

Best for:Everyone, but especially those early in their Lyme investigation, will find IB1-IB3 to be the best combination of cost-efficiency and clarity.

Option 2: Broader Tick-Borne Disease (TBD) Panels (TBD4–TBD9)

Cost Range: ~$1,000 - $2,500+These panels include specific testing not just for Borrelia, but also for a range of co-infections like Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Rickettsia, and Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF). These infections are frequently missed in standard Lyme testing and may be the hidden root of persistent symptoms.

• As you move up from TBD4 to TBD9, more pathogens and methodologies are included

• Each panel is progressively more comprehensive and more costly

Best for:Those with more a complex symptom profile or individuals who have significant concern of exposure to more than one form of infection and want a more complete diagnostic overview.

Comprehensive Option: TBD11 Panel

Cost: ~$3,500This is IGeneX’s most extensive panel, covering nearly all known tick-borne pathogens using a combination of antibody and molecular tests. This is what can be referred to as a “full picture” overview. When the need for clarity outweighs cost, this is the clearest option.

Best for:Those who can afford it and want the highest likelihood of uncovering root causes across multiple pathogens. It’s particularly helpful when conventional testing has failed to provide clarity.

Our Recommendation

While there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, here’s our recommendation:

• For most people, we recommend starting with a panel from Option 1 (IB1-3). These offer a solid probability of detecting Lyme-specific antibodies and represent a good starting point without overextending your budget.

• If you’ve had chronic symptoms, persistent illness, or a known transmission, and especially if you’ve already tested negative(or have indeterminate values) through standard testing, we recommend looking into panels from Option 2 (TBD4-9), which screen for a broader array of co-infections that are often overlooked.

• If cost is no barrier, the TBD11 panel offers the most complete and comprehensive snapshot of your tick-borne disease status.

  
  

How to Get Started with IGeneX

If you’re ready to pursue testing, we recommend going directly through IGeneX, as they offer the most accurate and comprehensive tick-borne disease panels available.

• Learn more about IGeneX and their approach to diagnostics: https://igenex.com/

• Download the test requisition form to review panels and work with your provider: https://igenex.com/resources/

• Order a test kit to be shipped directly to your home or provider: https://igenex.com/order-a-test-kit/

Do You Need a Positive Test to Begin? Not at All.

One of the most important things we want to clarify is that a positive test is not required to start the Lyme Laser Protocol™ or to receive support from us.

While we respect and recommend testing through IGeneX for its accuracy and scope, we also recognize that Lyme disease and related conditions don’t always show up neatly on paper. False negatives are common, and many people go years, even decades, without a conclusive diagnosis despite textbook symptoms and a clear history of exposure.

If you don't have a positive test or you're having trouble getting one, that's ok. We’re not here to gatekeep care based on lab results.

Our approach goes far beyond infection. The Lyme Laser Protocol™ is designed to address the entire ecosystem of dysfunction, including the root issues behind inflammation, immune dysregulation, neurotoxic burden, hormonal imbalance, and detoxification challenges. These issues often persist whether or not a positive test ever appears.

If you believe you're dealing with Lyme or something like it and you're still suffering, we're here to help. Whether you have clear labs, inconclusive results, or no testing at all, your symptoms are real, your story matters, and there is a path forward.

Let us help you navigate what test you may need, if you need one at all, or how we may be able to help without one. Book a free Call or Call us at (833) 927-5963