FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS WITH STANDARD NHS INFECTION TESTS

The NHS does many things superbly. However, infection testing is not the jewel in its crown. If you are struggling with infection-related conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), M.E. (myalgic encephalomyelitis) and fibromyalgia, the NHS system often falls short, leaving you without answers or proper treatment. A key reason for this is the limited scope of tests offered as well as inadequate testing methods for many key infections.  Read on to discover how you can fall through the cracks of NHS infection testing and what you can do about it.

 What are Antibodies?

Antibodies are special proteins made by the immune system to help fight infections.  Think of them as the body’s security team - each one designed to recognise and attack specific pathogens like bacteria and viruses.  There are different types of antibodies, and each plays a unique role:

*IgM antibodies are the first responders, appearing when you first get infected.  They don’t hang around for long (peak at about two weeks then levels gradually decline).

*IgG antibodies provide long-term protection, helping your immune system remember past infections. This is known as immunity.

*IgA antibodies protect the areas where pathogens first enter - mouth, nose and intestines. Elevated IgA antibodies signify current mucosal immune activity i.e. they show if the infection is still ongoing.

The Problem with NHS Antibody Testing

When the NHS screens for infections, it typically measures IgG antibodies and IgM antibodies, but  completely overlooks IgA antibodies, which are crucial for identifying if infections are still ongoing in mucosal tissues such as the gut, respiratory system, and urogenital tract.  This is what you need to know if you are feeling poorly with chronic fatigue, poor exercise tolerance, brain fog or other symptoms.

IgA is the first line of defence in your body’s mucosal immune system. Without testing for it, many ongoing infections - especially those that linger in the sinuses, intestines and other mucosal surfaces - can go undiagnosed and therefore untreated. This means that if you have persistent symptoms, you may be incorrectly told that you don’t have an infection, simply because your negative IgG and IgM results don’t provide the full picture. What you need to know is not whether you have had a past Epstein Barr Virus infection, but do you have it now?

The Challenges of Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is one of the most controversial and poorly understood infections within the NHS system.  The standard test used is the two-tier Western Blot that relies on antibodies to detect Borrelia (the bacteria that cause Lyme). However, it is widely known that this test has significant limitations:

*There is no distinction between IgG and IgM antibodies in the first-tier test.

*The second test is only carried out if the first test is positive or “indeterminate.”

*IgM antibodies tend to indicate recent initial exposure, whereas detection of total or IgG antibodies indicates past exposure to the pathogen.

*Even if the IgG is positive, you can’t detect current ongoing Lyme Disease from that. This is obviously inadequate for the diagnosis of Lyme disease.

*Many patients with weakened immune systems fail to produce a strong antibody response, leading to further false negatives.

What This Means for Patients

Because of these testing limitations, many NHS patients fall through the cracks. Those with ongoing infections are told that their tests are “negative” and are often dismissed, leaving them to suffer from unexplained symptoms without treatment.  This is particularly frustrating for patients with suspected chronic Lyme and co-infections, as without treatment, this condition and quality of life can get worse.

The Solution - IgA and Elispot Tests 

Doing the right lab tests is critical to identify active ongoing infections. If you are experiencing persistent viral symptoms but receiving negative results from standard NHS infection tests, private IgA antibody tests can help you detect active infections, particularly in mucosal surfaces like the respiratory and digestive tracts. This is especially relevant for extremely common viruses like Coxsackie which is linked to myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), chronic fatigue and gut issues and Sars-Cov-2 (the virus behind COVID-19). The lab tests I am currently doing in the Good Health Clinic, Plymouth, show  nearly 100% positive results for ongoing Sars-Cov-2 infection and around 90% for ongoing Coxsackie B1 infections (the one that damages the heart). This is not surprising as Covid is a ‘hit and stay virus’ and requires a well function immune system to keep it under control for life.

There is a misconception among UK doctors that it is awfully difficult to diagnose Lyme correctly. That is not true with the right tests.  The Elispot test (enzyme- linked immunosorbent spot) is one of the most accurate methods for detecting active chronic Lyme disease and other persistent infections like Epstein Barr Virus, Bartonella, Babesia, Rickettsia, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma.  In contrast to antibody testing, Elispot measures T-cell responses, which can reveal ongoing infection even when antibodies are undetectable.  Elispots also show how aggressive the infection is which makes them a good  monitoring tool for treatment effectiveness.  They are the gold-standard method to detect infections in transplant clinics round the world.  Another advanced test, Tickplex, is also designed to detect chronic Lyme, including the ‘persister forms’ that evade standard treatments, especially antibiotics. 

Both tests meet ISO 15189 accreditation standards, making them UKAS-equivalent in terms of laboratory quality and reliability, even though performed outside the UK.  ISO 15189 is an international quality standard for medical laboratories. It ensures that labs follow strict rules to provide accurate, reliable, and consistent test results. Think of it as a gold standard that guarantees the lab is doing things properly. UKAS stands for United Kingdom Accreditation Service and is the UK’s national accreditation body responsible for ensuring that laboratories, tests and inspections meet high quality standards.  This means that the results of Elispot and Tickplex tests should be accepted as valid in any doctor’s surgery in the UK, even if performed outside the NHS or the UK.

These tests offer a crucial advantage for patients struggling with ongoing symptoms despite negative NHS results for infections like Lyme, Epstein Barr Virus and Sars Cov-2.

If you feel you have fallen through the NHS infection test cracks and would like to find out if you have active ongoing infection, please get in touch with the Good Health Clinic on goodhealthclinic@outlook.com to request a free 30 minute Enquiry Call or book an appointment. Please note that an Enquiry call is not a consultation but an exploratory call to see if this is a clinical approach you wish to pursue.

To your very good health,

Suzanne Jeffery (Nutritional Medicine Consultant)

M.A.(Oxon), BSc.(NMed), PGCE, MNNA, CNHC

The Good Health Clinic at The Business Centre, 2, Cattedown Road, Plymouth PL4 0EG

Tel no: 07836 552936/ Answer phone: 01752 774755 

Disclaimer:

All advice given out by Suzanne Jeffery and the Good Health Clinic is for general guidance and informational purposes only. All advice relating to other health professionals’ advice is for general guidance and information purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information provided with other sources. Patients and consumers should review the information carefully with their professional health care provider. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by other practitioners and physicians. Suzanne Jeffery and the Good Health Clinic will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary or other damages arising therefrom.