Lyme Evidence Sheet
Reviewed 2026-07-24Can one test or a list of bands be a final Lyme answer?
One screening test or a band list is not the same as a final two-step interpretation. Ask whether the full recommended sequence was completed and how the laboratory reported the overall result.
What the evidence says
- CDC describes two-step antibody testing, with a second test after a positive or equivocal first test.
- CDC/APHL guidance explains the reporting language used for the overall testing sequence.
What this can tell you
- Whether a report contains a screening result or individual band wording.
- What additional report language to request.
What this cannot tell you
- A final interpretation from one isolated detail.
- Whether an incomplete report confirms or rules out Lyme.
A useful question for your clinician
Was complete standard or modified two-tier testing performed, and what is the laboratory’s final interpretation?
Sources (2)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ‘Testing and Diagnosis for Lyme Disease.’ https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/diagnosis-testing/index.html. Accessed July 24, 2026. Open source ↗
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Association of Public Health Laboratories. ‘Suggested Reporting Language, Interpretation and Guidance Regarding Lyme Disease Serologic Test Results.’ 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/media/pdfs/2024/05/Suggested-Reporting-Language-Interpretation-and-Guidance-Regarding-Lyme-Disease-Serologic-Test-Results.pdf. Open source ↗