Why do so many Lyme patients test negative while feeling anything but healthy?

This is a special re-release of a powerful episode originally recorded in 2025. We felt it was too important not to bring back, especially as more people continue to struggle with confusing lab results and unanswered symptoms. The insights shared here are just as relevant today, if not more, and deserve to be heard again.

In this episode of Integrative Lyme Solutions, Dr. Michael Karlfeldt breaks down the confusing world of Lyme disease testing and reveals why conventional lab results often fail chronic illness patients. Drawing insights from leading experts like Dr. Bruce Patterson and Dr. Joseph Burrascano, this episode uncovers the limitations of ELISA, Western Blot, and PCR testing and why they were never designed for complex, chronic cases.

You will learn how Lyme evades detection, why immune dysfunction leads to false negatives, and how advanced testing methods like cytokine panels, T-cell testing, and FISH are reshaping diagnosis. If you have ever been told your labs are normal while your body says otherwise, this episode will change how you understand your health and your next steps forward.

Key Takeaways:

0:00 Introduction
2:05 ELISA and Western Blot were never built for chronic Lyme
6:10 Immune dysfunction leads to false negatives
10:30 PCR testing limitations and missed infections
12:00 Expanding beyond standard labs into specialty testing
17:00 FISH testing detecting live organisms in the blood
22:00 Why combining tests gives a clearer diagnosis
23:30 Immune system testing the future of Lyme detection
28:00 Symptom patterns reveal different infections
30:15 Choosing the right test based on your stage
32:00 When to stop testing and start healing

Resources Mentioned:
ArminLabs https://arminlabs.com/
IGeneX https://igenex.com/
Galaxy Diagnostics https://www.galaxydx.com/
DNA Connexions https://dnaconnexions.com/
IncellDX https://incelldx.com/

Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.

_______________________________

The Karlfeldt Center offers the most cutting-edge and comprehensive Lyme therapies. To schedule a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call with a Lyme Literate Naturopathic Doctor at The Karlfeldt Center, call 208-338-8902 or email info@TheKarlfeldtCenter.com

Check out Dr. K’s Ebook: Breaking Free From Lyme: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing and Recovery here: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/breaking-free-from-lyme
Use the code LYMEPODCAST for a 100% off discount!

What happens when Lyme disease is repeatedly dismissed even when the symptoms are clear?

In this episode of Integrative Lyme Solutions, Dr. K speaks with Lyme advocate Amy Rose, who spent more than eight years searching for answers after being infected by a tick bite in 2008. Within days she developed severe flu-like symptoms and later discovered a large bullseye rash on her shoulder. Despite these classic warning signs, doctors repeatedly told her Lyme disease was impossible because she had been bitten in Arkansas. Multiple tests came back negative and she was given numerous misdiagnoses and medications instead of answers.

Amy shares how her health continued to decline while she saw 27 doctors before finally receiving a proper diagnosis from a Lyme-literate practitioner. She also explains how this experience led her to start the Arkansas Lyme Foundation to support patients in a state where Lyme disease is still widely denied. Her story reveals the serious gaps in Lyme testing, the consequences of misdiagnosis, and the power of patient advocacy.

Key Takeaways:

0:00 Introduction
2:15 Amy Rose’s Lyme infection and early symptoms in 2008
6:40 The bullseye rash and why Lyme was still missed
10:30 Five negative tests through Labcorp and misdiagnosis
16:50 Neurological Lyme and being misdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s
22:10 Losing the ability to drive due to brain inflammation
26:30 Finding a Lyme-literate doctor after seeing 27 physicians
32:45 Starting the Arkansas Lyme Foundation
38:20 Why Arkansas still denies Lyme disease exists
44:15 Reaching remission and focusing on cellular health and mold detox

Resources Mentioned:

Arkansas Lyme Foundation - https://www.arkansaslyme.org/
Labcorp - https://www.labcorp.com/

Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.

_______________________________

The Karlfeldt Center offers the most cutting-edge and comprehensive Lyme therapies. To schedule a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call with a Lyme Literate Naturopathic Doctor at The Karlfeldt Center, call 208-338-8902 or email info@TheKarlfeldtCenter.com

Check out Dr. K’s Ebook: Breaking Free From Lyme: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing and Recovery here: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/breaking-free-from-lyme
Use the code LYMEPODCAST for a 100% off discount!

What if Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, and even psychiatric symptoms are not random but driven by hidden infections?

In this episode of Integrative Lyme Solutions, Dr. K sits down with research scientist and Lyme survivor Nikki Schultek to explore the infection hypothesis behind chronic disease. After battling years of misdiagnosed symptoms including asthma flares, interstitial cystitis, arrhythmias, neurological decline, and suspected MS, Nikki uncovered a complex web of infections including Borrelia, Bartonella, Babesia, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Epstein-Barr virus, and more.

Now founder of the Alzheimer’s Pathobiome Initiative, Nikki is leading a global consortium investigating how stealth pathogens may trigger neurodegeneration, immune dysfunction, and dementia. This conversation dives into intracellular infections, the Herxheimer reaction, amyloid as an antimicrobial response, sterile brain autopsies, precision medicine, and why federal health agencies are finally acknowledging Lyme disease as a serious public health crisis.

If you or someone you love is dealing with chronic Lyme, long COVID, autoimmune illness, or cognitive decline, this episode may change how you see disease.

Key Takeaways:

0:00 Introduction
3:15 Asthma, air hunger, and early misdiagnoses
8:40 From interstitial cystitis to suspected multiple sclerosis
14:30 Discovering intracellular infections and Chlamydia pneumoniae
18:45 Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia and the whack-a-mole effect
24:10 The Pathobiome concept and microbial imbalance
27:30 Alzheimer’s disease and the infection hypothesis
32:00 Sterile brain autopsies and spinal fluid research
35:20 Amyloid plaque as an antimicrobial defense mechanism
41:00 APOE4, genetics, and infection susceptibility
44:30 Federal recognition of Lyme disease and future funding

Resources Mentioned:

Alzheimer’s Pathobiome Initiative - https://alzheimerspathobiome.org
ILADS - https://www.ilads.org
ILADS Education Foundation - https://www.iladef.org
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - https://www.pcom.edu

Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.

_______________________________

The Karlfeldt Center offers the most cutting-edge and comprehensive Lyme therapies. To schedule a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call with a Lyme Literate Naturopathic Doctor at The Karlfeldt Center, call 208-338-8902 or email info@TheKarlfeldtCenter.com

Check out Dr. K’s Ebook: Breaking Free From Lyme: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing and Recovery here: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/breaking-free-from-lyme
Use the code LYMEPODCAST for a 100% off discount!

What happens when Lyme disease goes undiagnosed for 15 years — and the emotional toll becomes just as devastating as the physical symptoms?

In this episode of Integrative Lyme Solutions, Dr. K sits down with Susan Pogorzelski, author of The Last Letter: A Novel and founder of the Lyme Brave Foundation. Susan shares her 30-year journey through misdiagnosis, neurological decline, co-infections like Babesia, severe fatigue, psychiatric symptoms, and the long road of recovery. From being dismissed by doctors to experiencing suicidal ideation during treatment, Susan opens up about the isolation, trauma, and resilience that shaped her healing.

This powerful conversation explores Lyme misdiagnosis, Babesia treatment, herxing, emotional trauma, nervous system regulation, EFT tapping, relapse recovery, and how chronic illness can reshape identity. If you or a loved one is navigating chronic Lyme disease, co-infections, or the emotional weight of invisible illness, this episode is both validation and hope.

Key Takeaways:

0:00 Introduction
3:15 15 years of misdiagnosis and declining neurological health
8:20 Gallbladder surgery, rapid deterioration, and ER visits
12:05 Lyme diagnosis and multiple co-infections confirmed
15:40 Babesia treatment and what moved the needle in recovery
19:30 Herx reactions, suicidal ideation, and psychological symptoms
23:50 Emotional trauma, loneliness, and invisible illness
27:45 EFT tapping, nervous system healing, and energetic tools
30:10 Relapses, flares, and building resilience over time
33:00 Lyme Brave Foundation and supporting patients emotionally

Resources Mentioned:

Susan Pogorzelski Website - https://www.susanpogorzelski.com/about
Lyme Brave Foundation - https://lymebravefoundation.org
The Last Letter: A Novel by Susan Pogorzelski - https://www.amazon.com/Last-Letter-Novel-Susan-Pogorzelski/dp/0988875136

Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.

#Babesia #InvisibleIllness #ChronicLyme

_______________________________

The Karlfeldt Center offers the most cutting-edge and comprehensive Lyme therapies. To schedule a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call with a Lyme Literate Naturopathic Doctor at The Karlfeldt Center, call 208-338-8902 or email info@TheKarlfeldtCenter.com

Check out Dr. K’s Ebook: Breaking Free From Lyme: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing and Recovery here: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/breaking-free-from-lyme
Use the code LYMEPODCAST for a 100% off discount!

Is chronic babesiosis finally getting the scientific attention it deserves?

In this episode of Integrative Lyme Solutions, Dr. K sits down with Dr. Geoff Dow, CEO & President of Sixty Degrees Pharmaceuticals, to discuss a groundbreaking clinical trial targeting chronic babesiosis — a common and often overlooked Lyme co-infection. Originally developed for malaria prevention, the drug Tafenoquine (brand name Kodatef®) is now being studied for its potential to treat persistent Babesia infections and Lyme-related fatigue.

They explore the science behind red blood cell parasites, how Babesia differs from malaria, why chronic babesiosis remains controversial, and what makes this new trial the first FDA-reviewed IND study focused on chronic disease. If you or a loved one struggle with Lyme-related fatigue, relapsing babesiosis, or limited treatment options, this conversation offers cautious optimism and a closer look at the future of targeted therapies.

Key Takeaways:

0:00 Introduction
3:10 From Malaria Drug Development to Lyme Co-Infections
6:45 How Babesia Infects Red Blood Cells and Causes Fatigue
10:40 Why Chronic Babesiosis Is Still Controversial
14:50 No FDA-Approved Drugs Specifically for Babesiosis
18:30 New Clinical Trials for Chronic and Relapsing Babesiosis
24:00 Measuring Fatigue as a Primary Endpoint in Chronic Disease

Resources Mentioned:

Sixty Degrees Pharmaceuticals - https://www.sixtydegreespharma.com
Kodatef® (Tafenoquine) Information - Available via company website above
Mount Sinai (Clinical Trial Site) - https://www.mountsinai.org
Yale Babesiosis Case Series (Referenced Study) - https://medicine.yale.edu

Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.

_______________________________

The Karlfeldt Center offers the most cutting-edge and comprehensive Lyme therapies. To schedule a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call with a Lyme Literate Naturopathic Doctor at The Karlfeldt Center, call 208-338-8902 or email info@TheKarlfeldtCenter.com

Check out Dr. K’s Ebook: Breaking Free From Lyme: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing and Recovery here: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/breaking-free-from-lyme
Use the code LYMEPODCAST for a 100% off discount!

Can Lyme disease begin before birth — and could it be driving neurodevelopmental conditions like autism, ADHD, and anxiety?

In this episode of Integrative Lyme Solutions, Dr. K is joined by Dr. Somer DelSignore, a leading pediatric integrative clinician, to explore the overlooked science of congenital Lyme and in utero transmission of vector-borne infections. Dr. DelSignore explains how infections such as Borrelia, Bartonella, and Babesia can cross the placenta, disrupt fetal brain development, and silently fuel inflammation that shows up later as behavioral, cognitive, and immune dysfunction.

You’ll learn why standard TORCH testing fails to catch these infections, what symptoms parents should watch for in infants and children, and how addressing inflammation, infections, and immune imbalance can dramatically improve outcomes. This episode offers critical insight for parents, practitioners, and anyone focused on true prevention and root-cause healing in pediatric Lyme disease.

Key Takeaways:

0:00 Introduction and Dr. Somer DelSignore’s clinical journey
3:10 From pediatric ICU to integrative Lyme care
6:20 Congenital Lyme: 40 years of overlooked science
9:00 Why TORCH testing misses vector-borne infections
12:45 Preconception testing and prevention strategies
15:30 Why treating Lyme before pregnancy matters
18:05 Infant symptoms parents should never ignore
21:10 Autism, neuroinflammation, and misdiagnosis
24:15 The RESET framework for pediatric healing
28:10 What real recovery can look like for children

Resources Mentioned:

IGeneX Laboratories – https://igenex.com
TLABDX (Babesia & Bartonella testing) – https://www.tlabdx.com/
Horowitz/MSIDS 38 point symptom checklist – https://projectlyme.org/msids-questionnaire/
IV Ozone Therapy – https://health.clevelandclinic.org/ozone-therapy
SOT (Supportive Oligonucleotide Therapy) – https://projectlyme.org/supportive-oligonucleotide-therapy-sot-for-lyme/

Medical Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or replace professional medical advice. Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment decisions.

_______________________________

The Karlfeldt Center offers the most cutting-edge and comprehensive Lyme therapies. To schedule a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call with a Lyme Literate Naturopathic Doctor at The Karlfeldt Center, call 208-338-8902 or email info@TheKarlfeldtCenter.com

Check out Dr. K’s Ebook: Breaking Free From Lyme: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing and Recovery here: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/breaking-free-from-lyme
Use the code LYMEPODCAST for a 100% off discount!

Why do so many Lyme patients stay sick — even after treating infections, detoxing, and “doing everything right”?

In this episode of Integrative Lyme Solutions, Dr. K sits down with functional and environmental medicine pioneer Dr. Kelly McCann to explore why Lyme disease, mold toxicity, and Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) are rarely just infections — and why true healing requires addressing the terrain of the body, nervous system, emotions, and spirit. Drawing from her own journey through mold illness and Lyme disease, Dr. McCann explains how immune dysregulation, trauma, limbic system activation, and cell membrane damage keep patients stuck in chronic illness.

This conversation dives deep into mast cell activation, mold exposure, Bartonella, phosphatidylcholine therapy, biofilms, nervous system regulation, emotional trauma, spirituality, and why symptoms are not betrayals — but messages. If you’ve been gaslit, dismissed, or feel like your body is working against you, this episode offers validation, insight, and a radically different way to understand Lyme healing.

Key Takeaways:

0:00 Introduction and Dr. Kelly McCann’s personal healing journey
3:00 Mold exposure as a hidden driver of chronic illness
6:20 Lyme, Bartonella, and the overlap with mast cell activation
9:30 Why siloed medicine fails complex chronic disease patients
11:40 Phosphatidylcholine and cell membrane repair explained
13:50 When antimicrobial treatment stalls, look beyond infections
16:50 Mast cell activation, trauma, and nervous system dysregulation
18:40 The limbic system’s role in chronic illness
21:10 Emotional trauma, immune boundaries, and people-pleasing
24:00 Language, identity, and separating yourself from disease
26:10 Terrain theory and why healing requires self-honoring choices
29:00 Illness as an invitation, not a punishment

Resources Mentioned:

Dr. Kelly McCann – https://drkellymccann.com
The Spring Center – https://thespringcenter.com
The Unforgetting Project – https://unforgettingproject.com
MicroGen DX (Next Generation Sequencing) – https://microgendx.com
Byron White Formulas – https://byronwhiteformulas.com

_______________________________

The Karlfeldt Center offers the most cutting-edge and comprehensive Lyme therapies. To schedule a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call with a Lyme Literate Naturopathic Doctor at The Karlfeldt Center, call 208-338-8902 or email info@TheKarlfeldtCenter.com

Check out Dr. K’s Ebook: Breaking Free From Lyme: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing and Recovery here: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/breaking-free-from-lyme
Use the code LYMEPODCAST for a 100% off discount!

What happens when your body is shutting down—but every scan, lab, and specialist says they “can’t find anything”? In this episode, we unpack the reality of Lyme-related neurological illness, the emotional toll of chronic disease, and what it takes to keep moving forward when healing isn’t linear.

We’re joined by Dr. Kristi Hellenbrand, DC, chiropractor and author of Let Me Tell You a Secret…She Makes It: a Lyme survival story, who shares how a tick bite in 2020 leads to rapid neurological decline, wheelchair-level symptoms, and relentless migraines—until a clinician treats based on a clinical diagnosis and response to treatment, not just lab confirmation. Kristi walks us through the decision points that change everything: antibiotics as an early signal, later testing that reveals a viral layer, and a pivotal turn to the Horowitz protocol (including double-dose dapsone) as part of her path back to remission.

Key Takeaways:

03:45 Lyme can first appear as heart and neurological symptoms—not joint pain.
07:15 Clinical diagnosis can move treatment forward when labs and specialists stall.
10:30 Response to treatment can confirm infection before tests do.
13:10 Healing from Lyme is nonlinear and follows the grief cycle.
14:25 The Horowitz protocol helped resolve daily, debilitating migraines.
19:15 Retracing symptoms signal healing in reverse order—not relapse.
31:00 Fear is inflammatory; regulating the nervous system supports long-term recovery.

Resources Mentioned:
Let Me Tell You a Secret...She Makes It.: - a Lyme survival story - https://www.amazon.com/Let-Tell-You-Secret-Makes/dp/B0CJB825R1
Lyme Lives Here - https://www.lymeliveshere.com/

#lymewarrior #chronicillness #TheKarlfeldtCenter #IntegrativeLymeSolutions

Want to guest on our shows?

Calendly Link for Integrative Lyme Solutions: https://calendly.com/drmichaelk/integrative-lyme-solutions-podcast-interview
Calendly Link for Integrative Cancer Solutions: https://calendly.com/drmichaelk/podcast-interview
Calendly Link for Dr. K Show: https://calendly.com/drmichaelk/dr-k-show-interview

Breaking Free From Lyme: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing and Recovery
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Healing Within: Unraveling the Emotional Roots of Cancer
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The Science and Spirit of Transformation: A Holistic Guide to Elevating Health, Consciousness, and Purpose
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_______________________________

The Karlfeldt Center offers the most cutting-edge and comprehensive Lyme therapies. To schedule a Free 15-Minute Discovery Call with a Lyme Literate Naturopathic Doctor at The Karlfeldt Center, call 208-338-8902 or email info@TheKarlfeldtCenter.com

Check out Dr. K’s Ebook: Breaking Free From Lyme: A Comprehensive Guide to Healing and Recovery here: https://store.thekarlfeldtcenter.com/products/breaking-free-from-lyme
Use the code LYMEPODCAST for a 100% off discount!