ArminLabs vs. IGeneX: Which Specialty Lyme Test Is Right for You?
If you've been failed by a standard Lyme test, you've probably found these two names — the German lab everyone mentions for its EliSpot, and the California lab known for its ImmunoBlot. They're both excellent, and they measure different things. Here's what actually separates them, in plain language.
One of the cruelest parts of this disease is how often the standard testing misses it. So people go looking for something better — and again and again they land on the same two specialty labs: ArminLabs in Germany and IGeneX in the United States. I get asked to compare them constantly. The good news: both are respected, and the choice is less "which is right and which is wrong" than "which approach fits your question."
Why standard tests miss Lyme
The conventional two-tier approach (an ELISA, then a Western blot) was never designed to catch every case — it was designed for surveillance, and it's known to miss a meaningful share of people, especially in later or chronic stages. If you tested "negative" but you're clearly sick, that's exactly why so many people turn to specialty labs that use more sensitive methods and read more bands. That's the world both ArminLabs and IGeneX live in.
The side-by-side comparison
| IGeneX | ArminLabs | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | United States (California) | Germany (Augsburg) |
| Signature test | Lyme ImmunoBlot (IgG/IgM) — improved Western blot | EliSpot — T-cellular immune response |
| Primary approach | Antibody + direct detection (IFA, PCR) | T-cellular immunity + antibody tests |
| Core question | "What antibodies/DNA are present?" | "How are T-cells reacting right now?" |
| Co-infection panels | Broad (Babesia, Bartonella, relapsing-fever Borrelia, etc.) | Broad (Bartonella, Babesia, Chlamydia, EBV, etc.) |
| Other markers | Multiple Borrelia species; IFA; PCR | LTT, CD57 / CD3 immune markers |
| How to order | Typically via a practitioner | Ships kits worldwide; direct order in some regions |
| Insurance | Often not covered / out of pocket | Usually out of pocket; international shipping |
This is a general orientation of publicly described offerings, not an exhaustive or guaranteed-current menu. Panels, methods, and policies change — verify with each lab.
IGeneX, explained
IGeneX is a US-based specialty lab that many Lyme-literate doctors have relied on for years. Its best-known offering is the Lyme ImmunoBlot — think of it as a more refined, more sensitive descendant of the Western blot, using recombinant antigens and reading a broader set of bands, and testing across multiple Borrelia species (including relapsing-fever types). IGeneX also offers IFA and PCR (direct-detection) testing and a range of tick-borne co-infection panels.
Because it's a US lab, logistics are often simpler for American patients, and results are read in that antibody/DNA framework most clinicians are comfortable with.
ArminLabs, explained
ArminLabs, led by Dr. Armin Schwarzbach in Germany, is the name people bring up when they want the EliSpot. Rather than measuring the antibodies your body produced (which can linger from past exposure, or fail to appear at all), the EliSpot measures how your T-cells respond to Borrelia antigens — a window into the active cellular immune response. ArminLabs also offers antibody testing, the LTT (lymphocyte transformation test), CD57/CD3 immune markers, and broad co-infection panels.
It's a German lab that ships test kits internationally, which is why you'll see patients all over the world using it — though that also means shipping logistics and out-of-pocket cost to plan for.
Antibody vs. T-cell: the real distinction
Leans toward
- Refined ImmunoBlot with more bands & species
- Direct detection via PCR
- Simpler logistics for US patients
Leans toward
- EliSpot view of active T-cell response
- Extra immune markers (LTT, CD57)
- Worldwide kit shipping
Which should you choose?
Here's the honest truth I share with everyone who asks: the lab matters less than the person reading the results. A brilliant test interpreted by someone who doesn't understand Lyme is nearly worthless; a good test in the hands of a Lyme-literate practitioner is genuinely powerful. Many clinicians use one, the other, or both together, depending on the clinical picture, your location, and cost.
- US-based and want the antibody/DNA framework most doctors know? IGeneX is a natural starting point.
- Want a T-cellular read on possible active infection, or you're outside the US? ArminLabs' EliSpot is why people seek it out.
- Genuinely unsure? Bring both to a Lyme-literate practitioner and let the clinical question drive the choice.
If you're staring at these two options and feeling paralyzed, that's exactly the kind of thing I help people think through — including how to find a practitioner who'll actually interpret the results in context. No cost, no pressure.
Not sure which test — or which doctor? Let's talk →
Medical disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not an endorsement of any laboratory, and A Lyme Life has no affiliation with ArminLabs or IGeneX. No laboratory test is definitive on its own; results must be interpreted by a qualified clinician alongside your symptoms and history. Lab offerings and pricing change — verify current details directly. Christina Carter is a patient advocate and educator, not a licensed medical provider.
ArminLabs vs. IGeneX FAQ
IGeneX (US) centers on antibody and direct-detection testing — its ImmunoBlot, IFA, and PCR. ArminLabs (Germany) is known for the EliSpot, a T-cellular test of the immune response, plus antibody tests and extra immune markers. IGeneX asks what antibodies/DNA are present; ArminLabs adds how your T-cells are reacting now.
Neither universally — they emphasize different biology. Many Lyme-literate clinicians use one, the other, or both, depending on the question, your location, and cost. What matters most is a knowledgeable practitioner interpreting results alongside your symptoms; no single test is definitive.
The EliSpot (ArminLabs) measures how strongly your T-cells react to Borrelia antigens — an active cellular immune response, rather than antibodies made in the past. Some practitioners use it to help assess whether infection may be currently active. It still needs expert interpretation alongside other findings.
Often not, or only partially — specialty Lyme testing is frequently out of pocket. IGeneX is a US lab; ArminLabs ships kits internationally from Germany, which can add shipping and logistics. Confirm current pricing and coverage with the lab and your practitioner.
Generally through a healthcare practitioner — often a Lyme-literate doctor — who chooses the panel and interprets results. ArminLabs ships worldwide and allows direct ordering in some regions; IGeneX is typically arranged via a provider. The interpreting clinician matters more than the lab itself.