Arminlab, help which tests to order

[Mimi81]

Hi, I wnt to order som test from arminlab but i dont know which ones are useful for ME/Cfs patients, i want to know what viruses and bacteria i have but I dont know which test are suitable for me, any suggestions??

 

[InitialConditions]

I wouldn't waste your money. The tests are not externally validated. There's a reason nowhere else does most of their testing.

 

[Mimi81]

I wouldn't waste your money. The tests are not externally validated. There's a reason nowhere else does most of their testing.

But if i know which viruses are aktiv or not or if i have bacteria so maybe i can get antivirals or i missing something here?

 

[InitialConditions]

It's not that simple. Personally, I don't think Armin Labs can be trusted. The tests are innacurate and unreliable.

As for testing in general: I assume you are here because you have ME/CFS. People have been testing for viruses and bacteria for decades, and it is very rarely fruitful. This will be an expensive fishing trip.

Also, there is no good evidence for use of anti-virals, only small studies and case reports. Many people take anti-virals such as valtrex and report no change or worsening.

 

[Mimi81]

It's not that simple. Personally, I don't think Armin Labs can be trusted. The tests are innacurate and unreliable.

As for testing in general: I assume you are here because you have ME/CFS. People have been testing for viruses and bacteria for decades, and it is very rarely fruitful. This will be an expensive fishing trip.

Also, there is no good evidence for use of anti-virals, only small studies and case reports. Many people take anti-virals such as valtrex and report no change or worsening.

Ok thank you for your reply, i will look more to it

 

[InitialConditions]

If you have reason to suspect a specific virus or bacteria is active and causing your illness—in that scenario I would say that testing might be appropriate. But still I would steer clear of tests that have not been validated and adopted by reutable institutions and healthcare systems. Many of these tests do not provide unequivocal answers, and some are not to be trusted at all.

 

[JES]

ArminLabs tests are not necessarily very accurate, no, but the same problem exists in other common Lyme tests used for example. If you don't mind spending the money, you could maybe do tests against bacteria like borrelia and mycoplasma.

For viruses it gets trickier because as mentioned, even if you have some antibody response against a virus it doesn't necessarily mean "active infection" and even if it does, treatment options are limited. I had EBV tested on ArminLabs, but it was negative. They also have coxsackievirus tests, but only for certain types.

ArminLabs also has a CD-Cells-Immunity test (link) that can maybe indicate if you have chronic immune suppression.

 

[Hip]

But if i know which viruses are aktiv or not or if i have bacteria so maybe i can get antivirals or i missing something here?

The ArminLabs coxsackievirus B test is a complete waste of money. It only looks at CVB1, and does not test for Coxsackie B2 to B6 (stated here under: Virology > Ligand Assays). It deceptive, because most people will assume this is a comprehensive test for coxsackievirus B, but it is not.

 

[Mimi81]

ArminLabs tests are not necessarily very accurate, no, but the same problem exists in other common Lyme tests used for example. If you don't mind spending the money, you could maybe do tests against bacteria like borrelia and mycoplasma.

For viruses it gets trickier because as mentioned, even if you have some antibody response against a virus it doesn't necessarily mean "active infection" and even if it does, treatment options are limited. I had EBV tested on ArminLabs, but it was negative. They also have coxsackievirus tests, but only for certain types.

ArminLabs also has a CD-Cells-Immunity test (link) that can maybe indicate if you have

The ArminLabs coxsackievirus B test is a complete waste of money. It only looks at CVB1, and does not test for Coxsackie B2 to B6 (stated here under: Virology > Ligand Assays). It deceptive, because most people will assume this is a comprehensive test for coxsackievirus

If you have reason to suspect a specific virus or bacteria is active and causing your illness—in that scenario I would say that testing might be appropriate. But still I would steer clear of tests that have not been validated and adopted by reutable institutions and healthcare systems. Many of these tests do not provide unequivocal answers, and some are not to be trusted at all.

You are right! Thank you for your advice ,i wasnt realy know much about that their tests are not reliable

If you have reason to suspect a specific virus or bacteria is active and causing your illness—in that scenario I would say that testing might be appropriate. But still I would steer clear of tests that have not been validated and adopted by reutable institutions and healthcare systems. Many of these tests do not provide unequivocal answers, and some are not to be trusted at all.

 

[Mimi81]

The ArminLabs coxsackievirus B test is a complete waste of money. It only looks at CVB1, and does not test for Coxsackie B2 to B6 (stated here under: Virology > Ligand Assays). It deceptive, because most people will assume this is a comprehensive test for coxsackievirus B, but it is not.

Ok i didnt know that thank you for your advice, I just wanted to know whats going on ,i already taking Valtarex ( 3 months) and feel slighty, very smal tho better , i have severe ME so i thought maybe those test will give me more clues. Just desperate to find something that maybe can help....

 

[Hip]

Ok i didnt know that thank you for your advice, I just wanted to know whats going on ,i already taking Valtarex ( 3 months) and feel slighty, very smal tho better , i have severe ME so i thought maybe those test will give me more clues. Just desperate to find something that maybe can help....

Testing for viral infections can guide you to appropriate antivirals. But you have to get the right tests for each virus, and it is not always easy to do this, especially for enterovirus infections of coxsackievirus B and echovirus.

This MEpedia article details the right viral tests, and so does the viral testing section of my ME/CFS roadmap.

Some of the ArminLab tests I think should be OK, such as the antibody tests for HHV-6 and cytomegalovirus.

 

[Mimi81]

Testing for viral infections can guide you to appropriate antivirals. But you have to get the right tests for each virus, and it is not always easy to do this, especially for enterovirus infections of coxsackievirus B and echovirus.

This MEpedia article details the right viral tests, and so does the viral testing section of my ME/CFS roadmap.

Some of the ArminLab tests I think should be OK, such as the antibody tests for HHV-6 and cytomegalovirus.

Thank you!