Posts by Nicholas Myers

Megan Jones27 said:Strange. Very strange. If I "Google" this, everything points toward an acute infection—viral or bacterial—or perhaps an allergy or parasites. But my stool tests came back negative for both bacteria and parasites.

Since I’ve already stated my position, I'll just address this specific point. A negative stool test does not, under any circumstances, mean you are parasite-free.

I'm not suggesting a parasitic infection is the most likely diagnosis here; I am simply saying it cannot be ruled out based solely on a single lab result.

Elizabeth Hill48 said:Does anyone have an idea what these values might indicate? 🤔
What other tests should I run, and are these results actually far enough outside the normal range to warrant more digging? 🤔
The uric acid levels are the strangest part here. 😕

(glucose, creatinine, magnesium, iron, thyroid hormones, AST and ALT enzymes, hs CRP are all normal)

If my memory serves, you've had hypokalemia detected several times alongside slight hypercalcemia. Personally, I'm not sure if there's a link between those two specific deviations. Typically, low potassium can be seen when calcium is high. However, your results don't show that pattern—they are much more pronounced.

Uric acid levels depend heavily on diet, particularly meat consumption—especially organ meats.

It's hard to say if there's something larger hiding behind these discrete abnormalities without a full exam. Given that you're a smoker—which automatically bumps up the risk for a wide array of health issues—and considering the night sweats, this isn't something to just brush off.

Linda Johnson66 said:What exactly does low lipase mean???

thanks

Values that are just slightly low aren't usually a big deal.

Betty Gray36 said:Can anyone give an opinion on this result?..

When you don't describe your symptoms and instead just post isolated immunology results without the reference ranges—which vary from one lab to another—it’s pretty discouraging to try and comment.

bluebadger14 said:I can't even descri...🤔

It looks like there aren't any search results matching those terms.

brightdriver12 said:But this constant fatigue—even after catching up on sleep—has started to worry me. I went for some blood work, and it turns out my iron is low at 3.7 (range 8-30). My doctor put me on Microsoft immediately, and I'm taking it, though it’s making me feel pretty rough (nausea and headaches). My thyroid results are coming up next:

T3-2.04 (1.3-3.1)
fT4-18.6 (12-22)
TSH-0.02 (0.27-4.2)
ATPO-107.8 (0-34)
ATG-250.1 (0-115)

Thanks in advance

Two comments:

1. To draw any real conclusions about an iron deficiency, you need to look at the full picture: hemoglobin, hematocrit, RBC count, RBC indices, plus UIBC, TIBC, and ferritin. A single low serum iron reading isn't enough to justify starting supplements. You also need to pinpoint why the anemia is happening—if there even is anemia—before jumping into treatment.

2. Based on these thyroid hormone levels, you seem to be in a phase of subclinical hyperthyroidism. The hormones themselves are within range, but the TSH is low. It's very possible the symptoms you mentioned are linked to this. Before seeing an endocrinologist—if that appointment is still four months out—it might be wise to re-test. These values can fluctuate, and TSH levels can return to normal on their own.

vividpilot47 said:Hello. For a long time now, I've been dealing with various symptoms. So far, the diagnosis is subclinical hypothyroidism, and I've been referred to an immunologist. Now that I have the results, could you please interpret them for me?

To be honest, looking at these results, there are some minor deviations, but nothing significant enough to suggest anything specific beyond what you've already been diagnosed with. I also don't see a clear connection between these specific outliers that would point toward a singular clinical syndrome or disease. Ultimately, getting a definitive answer on whether anything new is happening will depend entirely on a detailed medical history and a physical exam.

restlessangler said:Addition. Vitamin D arrived too.
- 22 - ref.v. (>75)

Is that considered significantly low? I'll likely need a supplement, but at what point does this become an emergency? At what level should I be worried?

That’s quite low. A severe deficiency is typically anything under 15 nmol/L, but even 22 nmol/L is heavily depleted—anything below 25 is technically a deficiency.

Regarding the calcium and phosphorus levels, I’d suggest re-running those tests. If you were dealing with chronic kidney failure, you’d almost certainly know by now; other kidney function markers would be off, not just the phosphate levels. If they come back abnormal again, then a 24-hour urine test would be the next logical step.

Austin Ramos5 said:Good afternoon,

Could I get some feedback on these lab results from the link? Specifically the bolded values regarding MCV and Lady Gaga

Thanks

The results are essentially normal. They don't provide enough information to pinpoint the cause of your symptoms, which means further investigation is necessary. Re-run the CBC in 2-3 weeks to monitor any trends.

Grace Wood6 said:For the last 15 months, I've had temperatures and headaches... every single day.

Hematology Panel

LCK-12.2 (3.4-9.7)
NEU-86.2 (44.0-72.0)
LYM-9.9 (20.0-46.0)

Any thoughts?

These results won't explain why you're feeling this way. There are deviations, yes, but they don't offer a diagnosis for the headaches and fever. You'll need more diagnostic workup.

restlessstag71 said:One last question for you, since I honestly don't know anyone else dealing with this kind of thing: is it actually possible for atrophied muscles to hurt that much?

That explanation feels a bit too reductive. The core idea was likely that the pain isn't inflammatory in nature, but rather stems from the mechanical issues behind lower back pain—meaning physical therapy is needed to strengthen those muscles. Whether that actually applies to your specific situation, I can't say. Pain is entirely subjective. One person might scream at a needle prick while another barely notices it. Judging whether intense back pain is "just weak muscles" based solely on a diagnosis isn't a valid way to measure someone's reality.

Laura Lopez47 said:Can someone explain what this means?
Regarding allergies: my total IgE came back at 3.10, while the reference range goes up to 100 kU/L.

It’s a standard result. That doesn't necessarily mean the allergies aren't there.

dustyhound38 said:I’d be grateful if someone could weigh in on my blood work. I'm currently dealing with contact allergic dermatitis and running a low-grade fever—around 99°F every night. Other than the itching from the dermatitis, there aren't any other symptoms to report.
I'll just list what deviates from the norm here; anything in parentheses represents the standard reference ranges:
Platelets at 122. Normal range is 150–425. Low.
CRP 0.14 (Ref range: 0.16–0.43)
Neutrophil count at 1.83. Reference range is 2.00–6.50. Slightly under the mark.
Lymphocytes at 3.81 (Reference range: 1.00–3.40). Just a slight elevation. It’s like a minor traffic delay on the I-95—noticeable, but usually nothing to panic about unless there's more to the story.
Here we go again.
Neutrophils at 29.6%. Reference range is 45.0–70.0. Low.
Lymphocytes at 61.6%. Normal range is 20.0–45.0. High.
IgE at 143.4. The reference range tops out at 100. Slightly elevated. It’s like driving a few miles over the speed limit—not exactly a crisis, but worth keeping an eye on.

Allergic dermatitis isn't linked to that low-grade fever you mentioned. The lab results provided are too incomplete for any meaningful interpretation, though lymphocytosis paired with mild neutropenia is common enough in cases like a viral infection. The real question is how long these low-grade temperatures have been lasting, and where exactly you're taking them—if you're using an ear thermometer, that reading might actually be perfectly normal. An elevated IgE level could certainly point toward an allergy.

hollowbison81 said:Hey everyone, just got my blood work back today. Everything looks pretty standard, except for my eosinophil count. Mine came in at 1.7%, while the normal range is listed as 2%-6%. It doesn't seem significantly lower than the baseline, but I can't find any clear info online regarding what a slight dip actually means. If anyone has insight on this, I'd appreciate it. 😁

Percentages are only half the story; you really need to look at the absolute count. Honestly, a number like that likely holds no clinical significance on its own, but it's hard to say without knowing the absolute value or why the tests were ordered in the first place.

Angela Moore63 said:Regarding urination, I sometimes feel like I haven't fully emptied my bladder, even when there's nothing left. I also deal with frequent mild vaginal inflammation, which I manage with various over-the-counter treatments. My Pap smear was fine, and I recently had a gynecological exam where the doctor said everything looks perfect.

It seems you might be dealing with some urinary tract issues after all. You should definitely get your urine tested again.

Have you had cervical swabs done to check for Chlamydia or Mycoplasma? Standard urine cultures don't typically pick up those specific infections, so if these symptoms persist, that’s an avenue worth exploring.

If a microbiological screening comes back clear and the cause remains elusive, the next logical step would be a consultation with a urologist.

Megan Jones27 said:The only thing I’m actually taking is Ferzym plus.

Any idea what might be driving those elevated levels?

Does diet play a role here? What about kidney function or the thyroid?

Calcium levels are only slightly off, and phosphate is just marginally higher than calcium. You’ll need to rerun the labs and include a magnesium test this time.

I doubt there's any direct link between Ferzym plus and these specific lab results, but it wouldn't hurt to play it safe. Skip the Ferzym entirely for at least 48 hours before your blood draw. Just avoid all supplements during that window.

There are several reasons why calcium and phosphorus levels might spike. Most often, it comes down to excessive vitamin D intake, overusing supplements containing calcium and phosphates, or reactions to certain medications. If you rule all that out and the numbers still come back high upon retesting, we have to look at underlying diseases or metabolic disorders. That requires a much deeper dive.

Gregory Kim5 said:Just a routine checkup for my Crohn's. It's currently in remission. I'm staying on Azathioprine.

The numbers are only slightly off. In a certain percentage of patients—over 10%—dealing with IBD, specifically Crohn's, you see elevated amylase and/or lipase levels even when they aren't feeling any symptoms. My take? If you aren't experiencing discomfort or showing signs that you've slipped out of remission, there’s likely no reason to panic. However, since I don't specialize exclusively in inflammatory bowel disease, you should wait for your gastroenterologist to give you the final word on what these results actually mean.

Gregory Kim5 said:Hi there.

I just picked up my full blood work today. My ALPHA AMYLASE levels are elevated at 96 (normal range is 28-91). Is this something to worry about?

And what was the reason for running these tests?

Scott Lee6 said:Can someone explain these urinalysis results for me?
WBC 10
epithelial cells 1
thanks

The context matters—why were the tests ordered in the first place? These numbers could point toward a urinary tract infection, but they don't always guarantee one is present.

Angela Moore63 said:URINE ANALYSIS RESULTS:
Color: yellow | Ref range: pale yellow
Clear urine
pH level: 5 (right at the lower limit)
Specific gravity within normal range
Bilirubin - negative. Ref range: negative
Nitrites - negative. Ref range: negative
ketone - negative. Ref range: negative
Protein - negative. Ref range: negative
Glucose - negative. Ref range: negative
Erythrocytes/hemoglobin - negative. Ref range: negative

MICROSCOPIC URINALYSIS FINDINGS:

Leukocytes 6 H REF RANGE 0-2
Erythrocytes 3 H. REF RANGE 0-2
Squamous epithelial cells 11 REF RANGE 0-1
MUCUS - trace (+)

What could these results mean? Should I be worried?

Get an ultrasound done regardless, and you should repeat the urine test. There are quite a few squamous epithelial cells present, which suggests the sample might not have been collected properly—specifically, it likely wasn't a midstream catch. Are you experiencing any discomfort when you urinate?

Megan Jones27 said:Here is the link to the latest labs (full blood panel): http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15...d957de27e3.jpg

The lymphocyte to neutrophil ratio looks a bit better...

The CBC looks mostly fine. However, your phosphorus and calcium levels are elevated... Are you taking any supplements or medications?

Megan Jones27 said:I won't re-quote my previous posts; I'll just add that the stool sample came back clear. Bacteria (Salmonella, Shigella) and parasites were NEGATIVE.

The only thing I don't get is why they only tested for those two bacteria if there are obviously more possibilities. 🤷

It depends on the lab, but typically routine panels cover Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Yersinia, and sometimes E. coli.

slystag4 said:The systematic review is the reason.
I am not pregnant.
I don't eat meat.
Otherwise, I'm healthy; no issues.

There is a discrepancy in your results between the hemoglobin levels and the other CBC parameters. It might be wise to repeat the test. Certain factors can interfere with the measurement process, leading to false highs or lows in both hemoglobin and related values.

redcyclist7 said:I'm curious about this. Basically, the entire panel looks fine except for the CRP, which is at 8. White blood cell count and urine work are all okay... just that CRP. Some people suggest it could be a virus or a minor inflammation somewhere. What kind of virus could cause that? I'm confused.

What was the reason for the blood work? Are you experiencing any symptoms?

amberskipper10 said:Hi everyone.

Please share your experiences if you've dealt with something similar, because I am losing my mind here.
Blood work is fine, but there is blood in my urine—yet the CRP and white blood cells are normal, so nothing is elevated. It hurts when I pee, and on Sunday, I saw blood. Two days go by where everything feels fine, no symptoms, and then it hits me again. My doctor said it isn't an infection since the CRP and white blood cells are normal. I'm waiting on the urine culture results, which should be back in a few days.😢

With bladder infections, CRP and white blood cell counts don't necessarily have to be elevated; sometimes the only indicator is the urinalysis itself. What did the urine sediment show specifically? There is also hemorrhagic cystitis, where bladder inflammation presents with blood in the urine. Of course, blood in the urine doesn't always point to inflammation; there could be other underlying causes.

Ashley Taylor46 said:Could someone help me make sense of these insulin resistance results?
I'm 24, taking Belformin 2 x500, and also managing hypothyroidism.
I weigh about 108–117 lbs.

The results are:

Glucose 5.0 (4.2-6)

Insulin 5.6 (2.6-24.9)

Pancreatic beta cell activity 84.3% (
Peripheral insulin sensitivity 119.3% (>100%)

Insulin resistance index 0.8 (div>

Everything looks fine here.

For context, I'll include an answer I gave to a similar question previously:

Maria Fisher46 said:Hello,

There isn't one single, universally agreed-upon "normal" range for HOMA-IR. You'll see different ranges depending on which medical textbook or study you consult, but generally, a value above 2.0 is where we start talking about insulin resistance. In other words, if that index climbs north of 2.0, there's an issue.

Ideally, you want those values closer to 1.

Beta cell activity indicates how much insulin is being produced, while peripheral sensitivity measures how effectively that insulin actually works.

With insulin resistance, production goes up to compensate for efficiency dropping. This means you'd typically see higher beta cell activity paired with lower peripheral sensitivity.

Emily Ortiz27 said:Hi.
A 5.5-year-old child just came back with an eosinophil count of 37%. I don't have the rest of the labs handy because I was just glancing at the results on my phone, but we have a follow-up with the pediatrician this Monday. We're planning to run stool tests for parasites, repeat the CBC, and do an abdominal ultrasound. Aside from parasites or allergies, what other "specific conditions" could cause such a massive deviation from the norm?

Here is a solid, professional article containing tables and guidelines—covering causes, necessary testing, and so on. Pay close attention to tables 1, 2, and 3. Let me know if anything remains unclear.

Hannah Hernandez9 said:I’ve had some inverse blood counts before—like my lymphocyte percentage hitting 47%—but over the last few years, it’s stayed under 35%. This looks like absolute lymphocytosis to me. I’m under massive stress right now and haven't slept a wink; could that be the cause?🙂

At first glance, nothing jumps out, but when you calculate the absolute lymphocyte count, you're correct—it falls into absolute lymphocytosis territory. There is such a thing as "stress-induced lymphocytosis," though I doubt a single sleepless night would trigger this specific shift. The count isn't high enough to suggest an emergency. However, you didn't mention why the labs were ordered in the first place.

slystag4 said:Question.

RBC 3.38 (3.86-5.08)
Hematocrit 0.311 (0.356-0.470)
MCH 37.5 (27.4-33.9)
MCHC 408 (320-345)
RDW 19.1% (9-15%)
UIBC 68 (26-59)
TIBC 80 (49-75)

The values above are either low or high, but given

hemoglobin 127 (119-157)
Iron 13 (8-30)

I assume it's all fine. Is it?

First, explain why you had bloodwork done and if you're feeling any symptoms. Also, is there any chance you might be pregnant?

Keith Barnes53 said:Hi. My mom is currently hospitalized with bone cancer. She’s been fighting this for years, but things have taken a sharp turn for the worse.
She doesn't recognize us anymore, she won't eat, and her overall mental state is just... bad. Today, the hospital called us in for a meeting because they're considering discharging her. What do we do? My dad is also sick, and our only income is $767 my mother's Social Security. She needs constant care. I don't even know how I'll manage feeding her, or how to handle basic hygiene... what are my options here? How much do assisted living facilities actually cost? Has anyone dealt with something similar? I’m lost.

Post moved from another thread.

Since nobody has replied since February 19th, I've moved this over to this thread.

Thomas Jones4 said:Is a total cholesterol of 4.9 (div>

The number is acceptable. Generally speaking, lower total cholesterol levels are more favorable for younger people.

Megan Jones27 said:Adding a few more symptoms to the list... Itching on the scalp, mostly at the back, and on my face (sometimes under the chin or on the neck). It feels like tiny mosquito bites popping up. Occasionally on my arms, too. Recently, I've also had some stinging sensations under my armpits.🤔

Could it be viral, immunological, an allergy, or parasites...?

I'll have to wait and see what the next round of tests reveals.

Wait for the processed results. If everything comes back negative, it might be worth consulting a gastroenterologist. The CBC isn't perfectly clean, but it doesn't deviate enough to require emergency intervention.

Michael Rodriguez37 said:I just got my hormone panel back, and everything looks like it's within the normal range. However, there's a "D4" listed under the notes and comments at the end. Does anyone know what that refers to? Thanks.

I'm not entirely sure what those "D comments" or "DZ comments" signify; they show up on lab reports quite frequently. It seems likely they are internal notations meant for laboratory staff rather than anything relevant to clinical interpretation. As physicians, we aren't typically trained on these specific shorthand codes, so it would be best to check directly with the lab technicians.

Lawrence Anderson19 said:Last year, I was diagnosed with allergies to birch and hazelnut pollen. I had some immunology tests done last week; my ECP is elevated at 76.2, though my IgE is within the normal range. Could these results point toward the development of asthma?

Eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) serves as an indicator of allergic mechanisms and can certainly be elevated during allergic reactions. Measuring ECP levels can help identify allergic inflammation within the respiratory system, among other things. That said, an elevated ECP level alone is not sufficient to establish a diagnosis of asthma.

restlessstag71 said:I went ahead and got that HLA typing done as well. I came across some information suggesting that HLA-B35 is linked to rheumatoid diseases.

The HLA-B35 marker is linked to a specific form of enteropathic arthritis—often referred to as Type 1. It manifests as joint inflammation in patients dealing with inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, along with other intestinal conditions.

If you're dealing with those specific symptoms, the fact that we haven't confirmed an HLA-B27 status is a much bigger deal. It changes the whole equation.

Then I realized my ANA test could come back positive, which led me straight to the conclusion that I’m dealing with undifferentiated spondyloarthritis. Naturally, I need to sit down with my doctor to hash all this out and schedule some follow-up testing.

ANA is relevant when looking at systemic connective tissue diseases, not undifferentiated spondyloarthropathy. This finding doesn't really support that specific diagnosis.

restlessstag71 said:If you have a moment, I’d appreciate it if you could answer one more quick question for me.

I was doing some digging and stumbled upon a link between HLA drb1*01 and asthma. Given my history of severe allergies and the recent onset of asthma symptoms, this feels like a significant connection.

HLA drb1*01 shows up more frequently in people dealing with asthma and high serum IgE levels. But when you look at joint issues, it’s tied to rheumatoid arthritis—essentially acting as a marker for an increased risk of developing the disease.

Regarding that ANA result—you mentioned it came back positive at a low titer. Could that be linked to allergies or asthma?

The data indicates that patients suffering from asthma show a higher incidence of ANA compared to healthy individuals.

restlessstag71 said:Can someone please help me make sense of this? I’ve detailed my back issues in previous posts, but I finally went in for some testing today. Here are the results:

SE 8 (4-24)
CRP is at 0.4. Normal range is 0.1 to 5.0. Low, steady.
RF Urea: 227 (Range: 134–337)

I’ve been looking into arthritis. My RF came back at div>

Inflammatory markers look normal, and the RF is negative. Based on the symptoms you described, those results don't really point toward rheumatoid arthritis. That said, even if we were considering RA, a negative RF doesn't rule it out—about 20% of patients are seronegative.

Your symptoms are quite varied. Some of what you’ve noted could align with various rheumatic conditions. However, I noticed you’re approaching this in reverse order: instead of seeing a rheumatologist first and then getting targeted testing, you're running subspecialty tests and trying to piece together a diagnosis from the data.

To diagnose a rheumatic disease, a patient has to meet specific clinical criteria. Lab work is just one piece of that puzzle; without a proper physical examination, a diagnosis is impossible.

If we ran every possible immunological and rheumatological test on everyone in this room, many of us would show at least one positive result. That wouldn't mean we all have autoimmune diseases.

The lab results you've obtained must always be interpreted alongside the actual clinical picture.

restlessstag71 said:However, I still don't think this pain is just muscular. I've started digging into it, and it feels like it could be some form of arthritis. I have appointments with a physical medicine specialist and a rheumatologist in two weeks. Naturally, I’m impatient, so if anyone could reach out, I’d appreciate it.
I took photos of my results, but since I can't figure out how to upload them, I'll just type everything out.

Based on what you've shared, things are a bit vague: a) what specific symptoms are you experiencing beyond "lower back pain"? Isolated back pain isn't really a hallmark of systemic rheumatic diseases. b) What kind of arthritis are we talking about if there's no joint swelling? c) Who—specialty-wise, not by name—ordered these tests (the HLA typing, ANA, and ENA panel)? And d) How is it possible that these were ordered before more fundamental baseline tests, assuming there was actually suspicion of a systemic autoimmune issue?

Regarding the HLA typing, you do have HLA DRB1*01, which indicates a certain genetic predisposition toward rheumatoid arthritis, but that alone doesn't confirm anything.

An ANA test with a low titer is essentially meaningless unless there is strong clinical suspicion of an autoimmune disease.

Angela Moore63 said:1.) I've had a single, movable swollen lymph node in my neck for quite some time now. About 4 years, ever since I had infectious mononucleosis.

How big is the node? There is a very low probability that a node staying enlarged for that long—assuming it's even enlarged at all—is linked to anything malignant.

My main concern is why my lymphocytes are elevated while my neutrophils are low. My immunologist claims this is a normal blood count and nothing to worry about, especially given my age. What do you all think? This has been my typical CBC for about 4 years, following my bout with mono. I'm a 21-year-old female.

Your lymphocytes aren't actually "high" because their absolute count is within range. They only appear elevated as a percentage, which makes sense since the neutrophils are down. Your neutrophils are indeed slightly low. In extremely rare instances, cases have been documented where neutrophil counts remain low for over a year after an EBV infection, so I can't say for certain if that mild neutropenia could be explained by that in your case. Given that the levels have been low for over four years and the decrease is mild without other symptoms, a benign cause is most likely. However, if those neutrophils have truly stayed below the normal threshold for this long, we're looking at chronic neutropenia, which appears to be either constitutional or idiopathic. That said, some basic follow-up testing in that direction would be wise just to put the matter to rest.

2.) For me, the mononucleosis dragged on for ages. I had a fever hitting roughly 102°F for about two weeks. Severe sore throat and swollen lymph nodes. Initially, antibodies indicated a fresh EBV infection, and IgG was negative for the first month and a half. Later, even a year later, there were positive antibodies for both recent infection and IgG. Is that normal? My spleen and liver were slightly enlarged, and my liver function tests were abnormal for about a month or two before normalizing.

I didn't catch exactly which antibodies were elevated or the specific timeline, so to interpret that properly, you'd need to list out the serology results chronologically—every single parameter.

Frank Roberts37 said:Hi everyone.
Here are my thyroid labs. If anyone here knows their stuff, I’d appreciate some insight:
TSH 3.48 (0.25-5.01), FT3 3.8 (4.0-8.3), FT4 8.1 (10.6-19.4)

About three years ago, my TSH was high—around 8—and I was prescribed Synthroid 25. I stopped taking it on my own quite a while ago, so I decided to get some fresh testing done. My FT3 and FT4 are low, though TSH seems within range.

What symptoms are you feeling? Any other medical issues currently or recently (pre-testing)? Are you on any medications at all (not just thyroid meds)?

Linda Johnson66 said:Hello. Hoping someone can weigh in. (My question has been getting bypassed for three months now; I must be formatting it wrong, so let's try this again!)

The lab results you listed don't explain your symptoms; they look fine. Your urinalysis doesn't suggest a urinary tract infection, and given how you described the collection process, it might not even be a representative sample.

Neither an abdominal ultrasound nor a gastroscopy shows anything regarding the large intestine, which could also be the culprit behind your abdominal pain.

Unfortunately, based strictly on what you've shared here and these specific tests, pinpointing the cause of your stomach pain isn't possible.

Patrick Lopez33 said:I’m not naive anymore; I don't think Lyme is the only thing at play here... Sorry for the long post, but I feel like a lab rat.

It’s clear you’re dealing with something more complex than a single issue, which isn't something we can untangle here on a forum. However, if there hasn't been any meaningful improvement after such an extended course of antibiotics, it’s time to take a hard look at the Lyme diagnosis itself. You also need to reconsider whether continuing this specific antibiotic regimen is necessary. If it hasn't worked by now, it likely won't—and it might actually be doing more harm than good.

Regarding the discrepancy between the EMG and the MRI results: think of it this way. An EMG can signal that damage exists, but it can't pinpoint the cause. On the other hand, an MRI can visualize certain types of damage, but it won't catch everything.