Know yourself. Save up to 25% on select health tests for a limited time.* Shop sale >

All Tests, Immunity & Infectious Disease, General Health
Lyme Disease Test

Lyme Disease Antibody Test

Screen for Lyme disease exposure with a simple blood test.

The Lyme disease antibody test looks for antibodies your immune system may produce after exposure to the bacteria that cause Lyme disease. This test measures two types of antibodies - immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG), which may appear at different times after exposure. This test can provide peace of mind if you suspect you have been exposed to the bacteria that cause Lyme disease.

 

Lyme disease, also known as Lyme borreliosis, is most commonly transmitted through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. Common Lyme disease symptoms may include fatigue, headache, joint or muscle discomfort, and, in some cases, a characteristic expanding rash (erythema migrans), which may sometimes have a bull’s eye appearance. Because symptoms may vary and are not always specific, laboratory testing can play an important role in evaluating exposure.

 

This test can help identify whether your immune system has responded to Lyme related bacteria at some point. Because antibodies can take time to develop and may remain in the body long after exposure, results are best reviewed with a healthcare provider who can interpret them in the context of symptoms, timing, and personal risk factors.

$ 99.0
$99
Lyme Disease Antibody Test
$ 99.0
$99

Test Details

blood sample icon
Sample Type: Blood
building icon
Collection Method: In person at a Labcorp location
number icon
Age: 18-100
laptop icon
Results: 1-2 days from when your sample arrives at our lab
note icon
HSA/FSA: Accepted
intended user icon
Test must be taken by purchaser

Preparation: No special preparation is needed.

What's Tested
  • Lyme Disease Antibodies

    This test detects antibodies associated with Lyme disease, including IgM and IgG antibodies. These antibodies are produced by the body in response to the bacteria Borrelia burgdorferi, that causes Lyme disease. IgM antibodies are typically produced earlier in the immune response, while IgG antibodies may develop later and persist for months or years.

Why Consider This Test

detect variant icon

Suspected Lyme exposure

Living in or traveling to areas where Lyme disease is more common can increase the chance of exposure. Antibody testing may be considered when there has been possible tick exposure and symptoms have developed or continued, especially if classic signs such as a bullseye rash were not noticed. Because Lyme antibodies may not be detectable right away, testing is not always helpful immediately after a tick bite. A healthcare provider can help determine the most appropriate timing for testing.

Symptoms Icon

Check symptoms linked to Lyme disease

Fatigue, headaches, and joint or muscle aches can occur for many reasons. When these symptoms persist and there has been possible exposure to ticks, antibody testing may provide additional information about whether your immune system has previously reacted to Lyme‑related bacteria. Results should be interpreted alongside symptoms and medical history.

healthcare share icon

Simple, trusted Lyme testing

This test checks for signs that your body may have responded to exposure to the bacteria associated with Lyme disease, using the CDC recommended two-step testing method.1 It’s completed with a simple blood test, scheduled at a time that works for you, providing timely insight into possible exposure.

References:

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Clinical testing and diagnosis for Lyme disease. Published May 15, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/hcp/diagnosis-testing/index.html

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Signs and symptoms of Lyme disease. Published May 15, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/signs-symptoms/index.html

3. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Treatment and intervention for Lyme disease. Published April 14, 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/treatment/index.html

4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Diagnosis and testing for Lyme disease. https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/hcp/diagnosis-testing/index.html

5. Medline Plus. Lyme Disease. https://medlineplus.gov/lymedisease.html

How It Works

Cart icon.

Purchase Your Test

Simply purchase this test online. A healthcare provider will review and approve your test requests; no healthcare provider visit is required.

Labcorp location icon.

Provide Your Sample

Visit a Labcorp location near you for sample collection. Visits may be scheduled online.

Results icon.

Get Your Results

View your easy-to-read results online in your Labcorp Patient™ account, including Linked Accounts. For certain results that require prompt attention, you will also be contacted by phone or mail.

Patient Service Centers

Labs in more than 2,000 locations across the country.

Find a Location Near You
Circular blue dot design background.

Frequently Bought Together

FAQ

  • Lyme disease is commonly evaluated using a blood test that looks for signs your immune system may have responded to exposure. Blood-based testing is the CDC‑recommended approach for laboratory evaluation of Lyme disease.1 This test is collected in person at a patient service center (PSC) and can be scheduled at a time convenient for you.

     

    A Lyme disease blood test may be negative during the first few weeks after infection because your body may not have made enough antibodies yet. For many people, it may take about 2–4 weeks (or longer) after exposure for antibodies to reach levels that a blood test can detect. A healthcare provider can help you determine the most appropriate timing for testing.

  • A positive result means your immune system has made antibodies that react to the bacteria associated with Lyme disease. Antibodies are proteins your body produces in response to an infection—either recently or sometime in the past.

    It’s important to know that these antibodies can remain in your body for months or even years after exposure. Because of this, a positive test does not tell you:
     

    • When the exposure happened
    • Whether the infection is new or old
    • Whether Lyme disease is currently causing symptoms


    A positive result indicates that your immune system has recognized Lyme-related bacteria in the recent or remote past. A positive result alone does not confirm active infection and does not explain symptoms. It is one piece of information that should be reviewed with a healthcare provider. 


    To understand what this result means for your health right now, including whether treatment or follow-up testing is needed, it’s best to review your results with a healthcare provider. They can consider your symptoms, medical history, and possible exposure to ticks to help determine the next steps.

  • The CDC recommends a two-tier testing process that uses FDA-cleared laboratory methods.1 This approach is widely accepted as the gold standard for Lyme disease antibody testing.

  • While some people never have symptoms, early Lyme disease symptoms can vary and do not always include a rash. Common early signs may include2:
     

    • A rash that may expand over time, sometimes with a bullseye appearance
    • Fatigue
    • Fever or chills
    • Headache
    • Muscle or joint aches
    • Swollen lymph nodes

  • Symptoms of Lyme disease often overlap with other conditions, which can make it difficult to identify based on symptoms alone.  Antibody testing can provide additional information about possible exposure, particularly when symptoms persist or there has been suspected or known tick contact.

  • Yes, Lyme disease is generally curable with antibiotics, especially when it’s identified early.³ Most people recover fully after treatment, though recovery time can vary depending on how soon the infection is addressed and individual health factors.

    Your Lyme antibody test results should be discussed with your healthcare provider, who can help interpret your results and recommend appropriate treatment options based on your specific situation.

  • Lyme disease antibody tests measure the immune response, which may not be detectable right away. The CDC notes that testing too soon after exposure—typically within the first few weeks—can lead to a negative result even if exposure occurred.4

  • Your testing will be performed in a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory. Labcorp provides leading-edge medical laboratory tests and services through a national network of primary clinical laboratories and specialty testing laboratories. Our labs perform regular quality assurance testing to ensure our results are accurate.

  • Your results will be provided to you through our secure online portal to view or print. Results are also made available through a secure portal to the independent healthcare provider who placed your test order.  If you are accessing your results through your Labcorp Patient™ account, all users linked to the account will have access to all OnDemand test results. Results may also be provided to a local, state, and/or federal health authority; for example, many states require the testing laboratory and physician to report test results for certain communicable diseases, such as COVID-19, to local or state health departments.  

     

    If you have questions or comments regarding the Labcorp Notice of Privacy Practices, or have a complaint about our use or disclosure of your PHI or our privacy practices, please contact: privacyofficer@labcorp.com, call us at (877) 234-4722 (877-23-HIPAA) and ask for the Labcorp HIPAA Privacy Officer, or send a written request to: HIPAA Privacy Officer, Labcorp, 531 South Spring Street, Burlington, NC 27215. You also may file a complaint with the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

  • Visit the Labcorp OnDemand® website to browse and purchase laboratory tests and create your Labcorp Patient™ account to view your results. All Labcorp OnDemand testing requires an order from an authorized healthcare professional. For your convenience, Labcorp OnDemand has contracted with independent professional entities (collectively, Providers) to deliver healthcare provider services. Visit a Labcorp location for sample collection; or, if using an at-home collection kit, collect your sample yourself. We’ll let you know when your results are ready and can be accessed through your Labcorp Patient™ account.

  • To align with clinical best practices, we’ve set an age maximum of 100 for consumer-initiated testing. This limit was set to encourage individuals in more advanced age groups - who may have complex medical needs - to receive personalized guidance about testing from their healthcare providers.

See More FAQs