According to various reference papers available online, antibiotics will have an effect on the Tickborne assay. Antibiotics may decrease antibody levels by up to ~10%.
Vibrant’s Tickborne test includes both direct (PCR) and indirect (antibody) testing. Vibrant’s Immunochip technology with chemiluminescence assay is very sensitive, so can detect antibody levels in patients taking antibiotics. However, the antibody signal can be reduced up to 10% in people taking antibiotics. For example, if the signal is 22.0 (high) without antibiotics, it could be reduced to 19.8 (moderate) when the patient is on antibiotics.
For this reason, to ensure the most accurate results, your ordering provider may recommend testing 1-14 days after discontinuing antibiotics (depending on the antibiotic half-life; learn more at https://vibrantwellness.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/16325106536219), or they may recommend testing Total Immunoglobulins (Total IgA, IgE, IgG, and IgM) before (or at the same time as) testing specific antibody levels for Tickborne diseases.
Consult with your ordering provider regarding whether to continue or discontinue antibiotics before your test, or whether to test Total Immunoglobulins before (or with) the Tickborne Diseases-Lyme and TBRF test.
