Finding out that you have positive Lyme antibodies can often come as a surprise. Sometimes this happens when investigating the cause of health issues, and other times it shows up completely by chance during routine blood tests or preventive check-ups. A positive result for Lyme antibodies can raise concerns regardless of whether you’re experiencing symptoms or even remember a tick bite from the past. Many people wonder what this finding actually means, whether it requires any action, or if it can simply be ignored. In practice, a past Lyme infection can sometimes be the hidden cause of various health problems that only appear after some time — ranging from unexplained fatigue and joint pain to neurological or psychiatric symptoms. So, let’s take a closer look at what “positive Lyme antibodies” really mean, when it’s important to pay attention, which symptoms to watch for, and when treatment might be necessary.
1. Positive Lyme Antibodies Detected
2. Is There Any Need to Act If You Have No Symptoms?
3. What if You Have Positive Lyme Antibodies and Are Experiencing Symptoms?
4. What Symptoms Are You Experiencing?
5. BORELISET: A Premium Natural Solution for Lyme Disease
Positive Lyme Antibodies Detected
A finding of positive Lyme antibodies means that blood tests have identified antibodies against Borrelia bacteria, indicating that the immune system has encountered this infection at some point in the past. The most commonly used serological tests for Lyme disease are ELISA and Western blot. These tests don’t directly detect the bacteria in the body but instead measure the immune response by identifying antibodies. The tests look for two types of antibodies: IgM, which appear in the early stage of infection, and IgG, which develop later and can remain in the body for a long time – even after the illness has resolved. However, in Lyme disease, it’s not uncommon for IgM antibodies to persist for an extended period as well (1). This means that a positive Lyme test result doesn’t necessarily indicate an active infection.
On the other hand, a negative test result does not rule out the possibility that you had - or currently have - a Lyme infection. IgM antibodies typically start to appear only 2–4 weeks after infection, peaking around 6–8 weeks (2). In patients with chronic Lyme disease, it’s also common for an already weakened immune system to produce only small amounts of antibodies, or none at all, leading to negative test results (3). Additionally, every test carries a certain margin of error, which can result in both false negatives and false positives. For this reason, Lyme test results should always be interpreted in the context of clinical symptoms and the patient’s medical history.
When positive Lyme antibodies are detected, there are generally two scenarios:
- Positive test without symptoms – Lyme antibodies are found incidentally, for example during a routine check-up. The patient has no symptoms and may not even recall a tick bite or having had the infection.
- Positive test with symptoms – The patient experiences various health issues, ranging from subtle to significant. Tests show the presence of Lyme antibodies, yet the patient may still not remember a tick bite or any previous illness.
Is There Any Need to Act If You Have No Symptoms?
The short answer is – no. As mentioned earlier, laboratory tests for Lyme disease are only one part of the diagnostic process and should never be the sole factor in deciding on treatment. Antibodies detected in your blood can remain for many years without indicating an active infection (1). They may simply reflect a past infection that your immune system successfully fought off or that was adequately treated in the past. Many people go through Lyme disease without ever noticing a tick bite or symptoms of infection. This is because the disease can also be transmitted by tiny tick nymphs (smaller than 1 mm) that often go unnoticed and fall off on their own. Furthermore, it is not entirely clear whether Lyme disease can also be spread by other blood-sucking insects. Borrelia bacteria have repeatedly been found in mosquitoes and small flies, although their role in transmission is still uncertain (4).
If your test came back positive but you have no suspicious symptoms or health issues, in most cases there’s no reason to take immediate action. However, it’s a good idea to stay alert – especially if unexplained health problems arise in the future, such as fatigue, joint or muscle pain, neurological symptoms, mood swings, sleep disturbances, or cognitive difficulties (5). In such cases, it may be worth reassessing your health with Lyme disease in mind. Sometimes, these issues may be linked to a so-called reactivation of the infection or inadequately treated remnants that start causing problems when the immune system is weakened. At that point, it may indicate a chronic infection that requires comprehensive treatment. Lyme disease is notorious for its wide range of symptoms – dozens of different manifestations that vary depending on the stage of infection, the spectrum of microbial burden, and the body’s individual response.
If you prefer to take preventive measures, you might consider a short-term preventive herbal regimen lasting about one to three months, featuring a blend of herbs specifically designed for Lyme disease. The goal of these herbs isn’t just to act as antibacterials and help eliminate bacteria from the body, but also to strengthen your immune system and overall vitality. At the same time, it makes a lot of sense to focus on everyday habits that naturally boost immunity - such as getting good, sufficient sleep; regular physical activity as much as possible; a varied and as natural as possible diet with minimal processed foods; supplementing essential vitamins and minerals; and taking care of your mental well-being. Long-term stress and internal tension often play a significant role in weakening immunity and overall resilience.
What if You Have Positive Lyme Antibodies and Are Experiencing Symptoms?
If your tests show positive Lyme antibodies and you’re dealing with unexplained health problems, it’s definitely worth considering whether Lyme disease could be a possible cause. In such cases, this may indicate so-called chronic or persistent Lyme disease — a condition where Borrelia bacteria survive in the body in a latent (dormant) form and can reactivate when the immune system is weakened. This scenario is not uncommon, especially if the infection was never treated, treatment was too short, or the illness went unnoticed.
It’s important to note that expert opinions on chronic Lyme disease vary widely. While some doctors recognize its risks and pay close attention to it, others believe that Lyme disease no longer persists in the body during the chronic stage and look for other causes of ongoing symptoms - often psychological. Proving that Lyme disease is behind your symptoms is not easy. It requires a comprehensive approach - considering past infection, current symptoms, lab test results, and any responses to antibiotic or herbal treatment.
What Symptoms Are You Experiencing?
The range of symptoms that chronic Lyme disease can cause is extremely wide. That’s why it’s often difficult to diagnose - symptoms vary greatly and are frequently mistaken for other issues such as stress, exhaustion, aging, hormonal changes, and more Because the symptoms are so diverse, it’s essential to rule out other diseases and possible causes before diagnosing Lyme disease. Sometimes, Lyme disease can mimic other conditions like multiple sclerosis or depression, which may improve after successful treatment of Lyme (7). Another common feature of Lyme is that symptoms often migrate - for example, one day a patient might have pain in one joint, and the next day it could be a different joint or a headache. However, this isn’t always the case.
Lyme Disease symptoms can include:
- General symptoms: fatigue, weakness, chills, sweating, fever, weight loss or gain, hair loss, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat.
- Neurological symptoms: tingling, numbness, burning sensations in limbs, dizziness, balance problems, headaches, stiff neck, vision issues (blurred or double vision), hearing problems (ringing, buzzing, ear pain).
- Muscle, joint, and movement issues: joint, muscle, or back pain and stiffness, cramps, muscle twitches or tremors.
- Hormonal and intimate problems: menstrual irregularities, breast pain, pelvic or testicular pain, reduced libido.
- Digestive and urinary problems: nausea, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, irritated bladder, frequent urination.
- Mental and cognitive issues: forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, slow thinking, disorientation, trouble speaking or writing, mood swings, irritability, depression.
- Cardiovascular and respiratory problems: chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, irregular pulse.
- Sleep disturbances: insomnia, frequent waking, poor quality or excessive sleep.
- Worsening symptoms after alcohol: more severe or intensified symptoms following alcohol consumption (5).
If your doctor tells you that you have tested positive for Lyme antibodies, you experience some of the symptoms listed above, and other causes have been ruled out, it’s likely that chronic Lyme disease is causing your problems - and starting treatment is recommended. Antibiotic or herbal treatment can also serve as a diagnostic tool. If you experience a strong reaction after beginning treatment - known as a Herxheimer reaction - which can include a temporary worsening of symptoms, flu-like feelings, or fever, it’s a good sign that Lyme disease is present and that the treatment is effectively killing the bacteria in your body (6). However, if you don’t have this reaction, it doesn’t rule out Lyme disease. Each person’s ability to detoxify and the bacterial load vary individually.
Another indicator can be how you feel after a period of treatment - whether you notice any improvement. Chronic Lyme disease is a complex condition; the bacteria can spread to different parts of the body and, due to their persistence (ability to change form, form biofilms, and evade the immune system), treatment requires a comprehensive and patient approach. Patients often start to notice improvements only after several months.
BORELISET: A Premium Natural Solution for Lyme Disease
BORELISET is a herbal program for Lyme disease, based on the world’s most renowned herbal protocol for Lyme – the Buhner protocol. It combines carefully selected herbs with proven antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-supporting effects. The package includes three products – INFLAM, IMUN and INFEX – that help eliminate bacteria, protect and restore body tissues, and support the immune system. BORELISET is available in both capsule and tincture forms.
For support of detoxification and antioxidant processes, the BORELISET package is also available with an expansion in the form of the liposomal detox formula, DUOTOX.
Everyone on the Onlyx team has personally experienced chronic illness, and we are fully aware that the quality of herbs is crucial when following the Buhner protocol. For this reason, we place absolute emphasis on the purity, safety, and quality of the raw materials used in the production of BORELISET. Our products contain no additives such as anti-caking agents or preservatives and are tested for contaminants, including heavy metals and molds.
Sources:
(1) Positive Lyme Test, No Symptoms, Don’t Treat
(2) Češka, Internal Medicine (3-volume edition)
(5) Horowitz Lyme-MSIDS Questionnaire