How VitalRenew Approaches Chronic Lyme and Associated Diseases

Finding a Lyme disease specialist near you is one of the most challenging — and frustrating — searches a patient can face. If you've been dealing with persistent symptoms like fatigue, joint pain, brain fog, and neurological issues after a potential tick exposure, you already know that conventional medicine doesn't always offer clear answers. At VitalRenew Functional & Integrative Medicine in Murfreesboro, TN, we take a comprehensive, individualized approach to Lyme disease and tick-borne illness — one that takes your full symptom picture seriously.

This article is intended to inform patients about Lyme disease, the ongoing scientific debate around testing and treatment, and how integrative medicine can play a supportive role in your care.

Understanding Lyme Disease: What the Science Says

Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick. When caught early, Lyme disease is typically treated with a short course of antibiotics, and most patients recover fully.

However, a subset of patients continue to experience symptoms long after completing standard antibiotic treatment. This is referred to by some clinicians as Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS) and by others within the ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Disease Society) framework as "Chronic Lyme Disease."

It is important to acknowledge that there is ongoing scientific debate regarding the mechanisms, diagnosis, and treatment of long-term or persistent Lyme-related symptoms. The mainstream infectious disease community, represented by IDSA guidelines, generally holds that a short antibiotic course is curative and that persistent symptoms are not caused by active ongoing infection. ILADS, in contrast, advocates for the possibility of persistent infection in some patients and supports more individualized treatment approaches.

VitalRenew's Medical Director, Dr. Daniel Kalb, MD, MPH, has completed the ILADS fellowship and brings specialized clinical experience with Lyme complex disease. Our approach is to present patients with information about both frameworks, support comprehensive evaluation, and offer integrative care options that complement — not replace — the guidance of your primary care or infectious disease physician.

Why Standard Lyme Disease Testing Has Limitations

The most commonly used Lyme disease test is the two-tier ELISA/Western blot protocol recommended by the CDC. While this is an appropriate screening tool for early Lyme disease, it has recognized limitations:

• The ELISA test can miss cases in the early stages of infection, before the body has mounted a full antibody response.
• Antibody tests measure immune response, not active infection — meaning a negative result does not definitively rule out disease.
• Standard panels may not capture all strains of Borrelia or co-infecting organisms.

For patients who have had inconclusive or negative results but continue to experience significant symptoms, specialty testing through our functional medicine testing protocols — including advanced Lyme panels — may provide additional clinical information.

The Role of Co-Infections in Tick-Borne Illness

Ticks can carry more than just Borrelia burgdorferi. Co-infections are commonly reported in patients with suspected tick-borne illness and may significantly complicate the clinical picture. Common co-infections include:

• Babesia: A malaria-like parasite that infects red blood cells; may cause sweating, chills, and hemolytic anemia.
• Bartonella: Associated with fatigue, neurological symptoms, and skin changes; sometimes called "cat scratch disease."
• Ehrlichia / Anaplasma: Bacterial infections that can cause fever, headache, and immune suppression.
• Rickettsia: Bacterial organisms that may cause rash, fever, and systemic inflammation.

Comprehensive tick-borne illness evaluation should consider co-infections alongside Borrelia — something that standard primary care workups often don't include.

The Mold-Lyme Connection

A pattern frequently observed in complex chronic illness patients is the co-occurrence of mold exposure (CIRS — Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome) alongside tick-borne illness. Mold toxins and Lyme-related immune dysregulation can amplify each other, making patients with both conditions significantly harder to treat.

Dr. Kalb has specific clinical expertise in CIRS and has worked with patients navigating both diagnoses. If you have Lyme-like symptoms and a history of water-damaged building exposure, it may be worthwhile to evaluate both simultaneously.

How VitalRenew Approaches Lyme and Tick-Borne Illness

1. Comprehensive History and Symptom Review

We take a detailed history including tick exposures, geographic risk factors, prior testing, antibiotic history, and the full timeline of your symptoms.

2. Advanced Laboratory Evaluation

Depending on your history, we may recommend specialty Lyme panels, co-infection testing, immune function markers, inflammatory markers (CRP-HS, sed rate, TGF-beta1), and CIRS-related labs as part of our functional medicine testing protocols.

3. Supportive Integrative Therapies

VitalRenew offers a range of supportive therapies that may be used as part of a broader wellness plan for patients with chronic illness, including:

• IV Therapy: Targeted nutrient infusions to support immune function and energy production. IV Phosphatidylcholine has been specifically studied for its role in supporting cellular membrane health in chronic illness, including Lyme.
• Ozone Therapy: IV ozone and UBI (ultraviolet blood irradiation) are used in integrative medicine as adjunctive support for chronic infections and immune dysfunction.
• IV NAD+ Therapy: Supports mitochondrial repair and cellular energy — commonly depleted in chronic illness patients. Learn more about our IV therapy options.
• Peptide Therapy: Certain peptides such as BPC-157 and thymic peptides may support immune modulation and tissue repair.
• Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN): Used in integrative medicine to support immune regulation in chronic inflammatory conditions.

It is important to note that none of the above therapies are FDA-approved treatments for Lyme disease. They are supportive and adjunctive — intended to support your overall health, not to replace standard-of-care antibiotic protocols where appropriate.

4. Coordination with Your Care Team

We believe integrative care works best alongside, not instead of, your existing medical team. We are happy to work collaboratively with your primary care physician or infectious disease specialist.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lyme Disease Care

Do I need a positive Lyme test to be seen at VitalRenew?

No. Many patients with suspected tick-borne illness have inconclusive or negative standard testing. We will review your full clinical history and can discuss whether additional specialty testing is appropriate.

Does VitalRenew prescribe antibiotics for Lyme disease?

Our scope of practice focuses on integrative and supportive care. For antibiotic management of Lyme disease, we recommend working with a physician experienced in tick-borne illness. We can help coordinate and support that care.

Can I be seen via telemedicine?

Yes. VitalRenew offers telemedicine consultations for patients across Tennessee and nationally. Contact our office to find out if virtual care is available for your needs.

Is May a significant time to think about Lyme disease?

Yes — May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month, and it coincides with peak tick season in the southeastern United States. If you've spent time outdoors and are experiencing unexplained symptoms, this is a good time to discuss evaluation options.

Serving Murfreesboro and Middle Tennessee

VitalRenew Functional & Integrative Medicine is located at 1747 Medical Center Parkway, Suite 330, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. We serve patients in Murfreesboro, Nashville, Franklin, Brentwood, Smyrna, La Vergne, and across the country via telemedicine.

Ready to Discuss Your Symptoms?

If you've been searching for a Lyme disease specialist near you and feel like you haven't found answers, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our team. We'll take your symptoms seriously, review your history carefully, and work with you to build an integrative support plan tailored to your needs.

Call or text us at (615) 603-8957 or visit vitalrenewclinic.com to book your visit. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm.