5 Ways Integrative Medicine Practitioners Treat Lyme Disease

According to the CDC, Lyme Borreliosis, or Lyme Disease, accounts for 77% of vector-borne illnesses in the United States every year (Centers for Disease Control). Lyme disease is caused by the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, typically transmitted by a tick, which can affect every area of the human body, hijacking your immune system.

From the years of 2010 to 2018, there were an estimated 476,000 Lyme disease cases diagnosed annually by clinicians, according to the CDC. This estimate was based on insurance claims alone. Researchers suggest that substantial underreporting occurs, and the incidence of this illness could be much higher. (1)

Studies indicate that these bacterial cells can lie dormant and become persistent and difficult to treat when not identified in the acute phase.

A functional medicine approach to treating Lyme Disease usually involves:

• Identifying co-infections and triggers.
• Optimizing the individual's immune and detoxification system.
• Directly targeting the infection.

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What Causes Lyme Disease

Lyme disease in the United States is caused by a bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi and transmitted through the bites of infected Ixodes, a subset of hard-bodied ticks. These ticks are commonly found throughout temperate North America, Europe, and Asia. (2)

Ticks can attach to any part of the body but are primarily found in hard-to-reach places, such as armpits, groin, or scalp. Although sometimes you can spot the tick, most adult humans are bit by immature ticks called nymphs. Nymphs are tiny (less than 2mm) and usually feed in the spring or summer months.

According to the CDC, the ticks must be attached for 36-48 hours or more before the Lyme disease bacterium can be transmitted. In the United States, Borrelia burgdorferi is the leading cause of Lyme disease.

In Europe, there are thought to be over five different species that can cause Lyme disease, and those ticks may transfer the infection quicker.

How Widespread is Lyme Disease in the United States?

"IGeneX Laboratory has discovered Lyme disease in all 50 states. Lyme disease was once very concentrated in the Northeast and Upper Midwest but has spread to all parts of the United States over the past twenty years. The map below illustrates the counties where patients have been diagnosed with Lyme disease."

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Lyme Disease Signs and Symptoms

Lyme disease is known as “the great imitator” because the symptoms can vary and overlap with other common health complaints, making the diagnosis difficult. Many people go through a flu-like illness and erythema migrans rash in the first stage.

The most common symptoms of early Lyme disease are:

• Fever
• Chills
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Neck stiffness
• Myalgia
• Joint pain
• Swollen lymph nodes.

As the bacteria (spirochetes) spread from the bite site, additional symptoms and manifestations can occur, such as:

• 7th cranial nerve palsy
• Meningitis
• Lyme carditis (heart inflammation from Lyme disease) *5*

In the third stage, patients may also experience neuroborreliosis or Lyme arthritis without proper treatment.

There is a characteristic lesion that can present in Lyme disease. This is known as the erythema migrans (EM) rash. It can develop 3-30 days after the tick bite, and the appearance can vary greatly. It is often a circular, red, expanding skin-containing lesion that may or may not have clearing in the center. Sometimes it can be very noticeable and sometimes challenging to see.

Up to 30% of individuals diagnosed with Lyme disease do not develop the EM rash.

Almost 30 years ago, clinicians began to report that some Lyme disease patients have persistent nonspecific symptoms after receiving adequate treatment. (18)

In 2006, the Infectious Diseases Society of America created the term “post-treatment Lyme Disease syndrome” or PTLDS: clinical symptoms persisting at least six months after treatment for Lyme disease in people who otherwise seemed to tolerate treatment, didn’t have re-infection, or relapsed. There is a need for more research to understand how to treat these patients best.

What Ticks Carry Lyme Disease?

The primary tick vector for Lyme disease in the United States is Ixodes scapularis, otherwise known as a deer tick (black-legged tick). This tick is found in the northeastern, mid-Atlantic, and North-Central U.S. There is another tick called Ixodes pacificus, otherwise known as the western black-legged tick, which is located in the Pacific coastal U.S.

How is Lyme Disease Diagnosed?

Diagnosing Lyme disease is not always easy. As mentioned above, the illness is known as "the great imitator," as some symptoms imitate other diseases or conditions of the human body.

Clinicians need to consider the following when assessing a patient for Lyme disease:

• The signs and symptoms.
• The likelihood that the patient has been exposed to black-legged ticks.
• The possibility that other illnesses may cause similar symptoms.
• Results of laboratory tests when indicated.

In the acute phase, if an individual has all the most common symptoms and the erythema migrans (EM) rash, they are considered "infected" without the need for a blood test verification. These patients are automatically prescribed antibiotic treatment.

Those who do not have a rash but have a history of exposure or symptoms consistent with the diagnosis sometimes still are instructed to undergo two-tiered testing. The first test is called an ELISA, then, if positive or indeterminate, a Western blot.

Clinicians and researchers consider these tests to have serious problems. The criteria for testing focus on the antibodies developing. Typically, antibodies can develop from a few days to 12 weeks. This means there is a high false-negative testing outcome in early Lyme patients.

The two-tier testing was developed for surveillance purposes and should not be used alone for diagnosis. This testing is also challenging to use in clinically evaluating persistent symptoms of an individual who previously used antibiotic treatment.

Conventional Testing for Lyme Disease

Standard testing for Lyme disease is the above-mentioned 2-step tier system consisting of the ELISA test and, if that is positive, the Western blot. These tests can be challenging to detect early disease because Lyme disease antibodies can take up to 12 weeks to develop.

Due to the low sensitivity rating in ELISA and Western Blot tests, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was cleared to market four other tests with new indications to diagnose Lyme disease.

FDA Cleared Lyme Disease Test

• ZEUS ELISA Borrelia VlsE1/pepC10 IgG/IgM Test System
• ZEUS ELISA Borrelia burgdorferi IgG/IgM Test System
• ZEUS ELISA Borrelia burgdorferi IgM Test System
• ZEUS ELISA Borrelia burgdorferi IgG Test System

According to the CDC, these 4 Lyme disease test performances were "substantially equivalent to or better than" the current standard Lyme disease testing.

Functional Medicine Lyme Disease Testing

Functional medicine has come a long way with other types of testing that may be beneficial in diagnosing Lyme Disease. These commonly ordered specialty labs look for multiple forms of the Borrelia bacteria and co-infections that the ticks can carry.

Typically, individuals with Lyme disease are likely to have co-existing infections due to being bit by ticks that harbor other diseases.

The most common co-infections include Babesiosis, Bartonella, Ehrlichiosis, Rickettsia rickettsii, and Anaplasma.

Soft ticks also transmit another disease called tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF). It is vital to test for this as well.

The most innovative testing for Lyme disease comes from specialized labs that have developed specific lab tests to aid in diagnosis.

IGenex Lyme Disease Testing

IGenex Inc. is a popular test used in functional medicine testing. IGenex has a dedicated research and development team of tick-borne disease experts who are relentlessly focused and committed to developing the most precise and effective diagnostic tests for Lyme disease, Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever, and other tick-borne diseases. They are also an active part of the Lyme community.

‍Summary of When to Choose Which Test

Lyme serology IgM

• This test is recommended approximately 2 weeks after suspected exposure to Lyme.
• It detects the presence of IgM antibodies to B. burgdorferi after exposure to an infected tick. Since IgM levels rapidly decline over time, testing for IgM antibodies too late can cause a missed infection. *IgM antibodies appear early in response to infection. This test may be positive two to six weeks after exposure.
• Sera from patients with mononucleosis or lupus erythematosus (LE) may also give false-positive results.
• Antibiotic therapy given early in the disease may prevent the development of an antibody response. Negative results earlier in the disease have a low predictive value. Retesting may be warranted if symptoms consistent with Lyme disease persist.
• This is a screen test and should only be performed in conjunction with Western Blots or ImmunoBlots.

Lyme ImmunoBlot IgM  

• This test is recommended to be performed at least one week after possible exposure. The IgM ImmunoBlot may be positive as early as 1 week after a tick bite and will usually remain positive for six to eight weeks after initial exposure.
• The Lyme ImmunoBlot IgM is a qualitative assay that detects IgM antibodies to B. burgdorferi strains and species.
• Patients with other spirochetal diseases or who test positive for rheumatoid factor or Epstein Barr virus may have cross-reacting antibodies.

Lyme ImmunoBlot IgG  

• The Lyme ImmunoBlot IgG is a qualitative assay that detects IgG antibodies to B. burgdorferi strains and species.
• IgG antibodies are typically present a few months following initial infection. This test is recommended if you believe the patient is in a later stage of Lyme disease.

The Lyme IgM/IgG can also be ordered in a combined test.

Lyme PCR 1

• This panel is designed to detect Lyme disease. It combines the serum and whole blood Lyme Multiplex PCR tests (looking for DNA of the organism).
• It is a 3-step amplified nucleic acid assay that detects B. burgdorferi-specific DNA sequence.
• Can be done at any stage of the disease (Early to late / Chronic stage)
• Test results can only help the physician in confirming clinical diagnosis.
• Results should be interpreted in conjunction with other laboratory and clinical findings.

Lyme iGX spot  

• The Lyme IgXSpot test is recommended for detection of very early or late B. burgdorferi infection and in serum negative patients' whole blood samples.

• The IgXSpot detects specific T-cell responses soon after infection, when antibodies to the organisms are not detectable, or late in the disease when the levels of antibodies have dropped or are minimal.

• When combined with Lyme ImmunoBlot tests, these tests provide information on the full spectrum of a patient's immune response to infection and the stage of the disease. It is, therefore, especially useful for seronegative patients.

BioReference Labs Lyme Disease Testing

Another popular Lyme Disease testing option is through Bio reference laboratories. Bio reference claims itself as the largest full-service specialty laboratory in the United States that allows patients and providers to make confident healthcare decisions.

Lyme Blot IgG w/bands

• This test is commonly ordered as part of a custom panel and can be used to help diagnose Lyme disease.
• This test identifies ten different IgG (later infection) antibody "bands," or proteins found most in Lyme disease diagnosis.

Lyme Blot IgM w/bands

• This test is commonly ordered as part of a custom panel and can be used to help diagnose Lyme disease.
• This test identifies ten different IgM (early infection) antibody "bands," or proteins found most in Lyme disease diagnosis.

Lyme AB West Blot IgM/IgG

• This test measures both IgG (later disease) and IgM (early disease) antibodies to Lyme disease and is commonly ordered as part of a custom panel.

Lyme Disease antibody

• This single marker test identifies antibodies for Lyme disease and is commonly ordered as part of a custom panel.

Other Tests Your Practitioner May Run

Comprehensive Gut Health Tests

Good gut health is vital for lowering inflammation, absorbing essential nutrients, and fighting off disease. A comprehensive stool test looks at digestion and absorption, inflammation and immunology, and dysbiosis (the balance of good vs. bad bacteria). All of these are an important part of setting the foundation for optimal health.

Micronutrients

Your medication or your illnesses may deplete essential nutrients. Your doctor can run blood tests to determine what nutrients you lack and suggest supplements to help your body replenish.

Conventional Treatments of Lyme Disease

The goal is to catch the illness in the early/acute phase and treat it with oral antibiotics to kill the bacterial infection.

In adults and children over the age of 8, this usually consists of Doxycycline and amoxicillin or cefuroxime for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

If the disease spreads to the central nervous system, intravenous antibiotics are sometimes recommended.

5 Ways Integrative Medicine Practitioners Treat Lyme Disease

Treatment of Lyme disease can vary, depending on the stage and length of time it has been going on. There is controversy around chronic Lyme disease and post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome.

Nutrition

Diets for Lyme disease can be tricky depending on patients' needs. Dietary choices depend on the patient's microbiome, food allergies and intolerances, possible nutritional deficiencies, inflammation levels, and medications.

Many practitioners chose to promote anti-inflammatory diets to help lower inflammatory markers and boost immune function. The most common anti-inflammatory diet that has been scientifically researched for lowering inflammation and boosting immunity and longevity is the Mediterranean diet. This way of eating includes whole, fresh foods and limits processed foods and dairy products, and gluten.

Essential oils

A study in 2018 identified ten essential oils that had better activity against B. burgdorferi cells at the stationary phase than current antibiotics for treating Lyme disease. (20) These oils include garlic, allspice, myrrh, hydacheim, and Litsea Cubeba. Additionally, Cinnamaldehyde is an active ingredient of cinnamon bark oil that has potent activity against B. burgdorferi.  

Natural and Botanical Medicines

A study in 2020 tested a panel of botanical and natural products used in Lyme patients and found several to be highly active in vitro against stationary phase B. burgdorferi and may be helpful in the treatment of Lyme disease.

•  "yellow dye root" Cryptolepis sanguinolenta
• "eastern American black walnut" Juglans nigra
• "Japanese knotweed" Polygonum cuspidatum
• "cat's claw" Uncaria tomentosa
• "sweet wormwood" Artemisia annua
•  "pink rock rose" Cistus creticus
• "Chinese skullcap" Scutellaria baicalensis

Nutritional supplements

Nutritional supplements can strengthen the immune system in any infection and may be beneficial to help with Lyme disease. Nutrient supplementation must be personalized to the individual. Practitioners may run a nutritional panel to see how well the patient is breaking down and absorbing vitamins and minerals and have patients fill out a food journal to see where patients are lacking in their nutrition.

Mental Health

Those patients diagnosed with Lyme and associated diseases (LAD) have an increased risk of suicide. Multiple studies link infections, particularly chronic infections, and the associated inflammation with an increased risk of suicidal behavior. It is vital to address this aspect of treatment by hiring a professional counselor or therapist or finding ways to decrease emotional stress. Many studies have shown mindfulness and meditation to be of use in chronic health conditions and pain syndromes.

Outcome Goals

The goal of the treatment of Lyme disease is to identify and treat the illness in the acute phase before it can spread. It can spread to other body parts and be more challenging to treat if not identified. The most important part of treatment is determining precisely what infections are involved and how that individual patient can feel better in the safest and quickest possible way.

Summary

The diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease is becoming easier with more advanced testing and more research on expanded treatments.

There is still a lot unknown about chronic Lyme disease and post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). Advanced testing through functional labs can give patients and their practitioners a broader, more comprehensive view of their Lyme disease picture.

There are about 476,000 people diagnosed with Lyme disease in the United States, but this number becomes cloudy when thinking of those with unidentifiable signs and symptoms who are not identified. More research needs to be done to figure out a way to catch everyone with Lyme disease, acute and chronic, so the long-term consequences do not contribute to a difficult journey towards healing.