Summary
| Direction in Lyme Disease | ↑ Elevated — higher than in the comparison group |
|---|---|
| Category | Serologic |
| Also described as | Tier 2 — early disease |
| Compared against | Uninfected |
| Associated symptoms | Early disseminated (<30 days IgM) |
| Test type | Blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood) |
| Source | CDC 2024 — doi:10.1016/j.idc.2021.05.001 |
| Condition atlas | Lyme Disease Biomarker Atlas |
Trials, interventions and tests
Commercial test availability
Lyme IgM Immunoblot — commercial laboratory test.
Links are for reference only; availability, specimen requirements and coverage vary by location.
Related Serologic markers in Lyme Disease
- IgG immunoblot (≥5 of 10 bands) ↑
- C6 peptide ELISA (VisE) ↑
- B. burgdorferi EIA (screening) ↑
- Anti-VlsE antibodies ↑
- Anti-OspC antibodies ↑
- Anti-OspA antibodies ↑
- Anti-p41 (flagellin) antibodies ↑
- Synovial fluid anti-Bb antibodies ↑
Full list: Lyme Disease Biomarker Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
Is IgM immunoblot (≥2 of 3 bands) high or low in Lyme Disease?
Elevated. Studies summarised in the OSMF atlas report higher IgM immunoblot (≥2 of 3 bands) in Lyme Disease than in Uninfected. Source: CDC 2024.
What symptoms is IgM immunoblot (≥2 of 3 bands) associated with in Lyme Disease?
The cited literature associates this marker with Early disseminated (<30 days IgM). These are population-level associations and do not mean the marker causes the symptoms.
Which test measures IgM immunoblot (≥2 of 3 bands)?
It is measured as a blood test (serum / plasma / whole blood). Commercial laboratories such as LabCorp, Quest Diagnostics list an orderable assay.
Is one abnormal IgM immunoblot (≥2 of 3 bands) result diagnostic of Lyme Disease?
No. No single biomarker is diagnostic of Lyme Disease. IgM immunoblot (≥2 of 3 bands) findings come from group comparisons, overlap considerably between patients and controls, and vary with study design, timing and comparison group. A result should be interpreted by a clinician alongside symptoms, history and other tests.
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Last reviewed: 2026-06-29 · Page generated from lyme.json · Browse: Lyme Disease atlas · Biomarker Index · All marker pages
Disclaimer: This page is an educational synthesis of published, peer-reviewed research and is not medical advice. Biomarker findings vary across studies with case definitions, comparison groups, timing and assay methods. Direction of change reflects the predominant finding in the cited source and does not establish a diagnostic threshold. Discuss any test result with a qualified clinician.