Lyme disease blood test: 2026 cost, ELISA and Western blot

indekscen.pl editorial team · published 30 September 2026 · prices according to the 5 October 2026 index

A Lyme disease blood test, meaning an IgG and IgM ELISA screening package, most commonly costs PLN 135 privately (typically PLN 125 ‑ 145, with price lists ranging from PLN 100 to PLN 200). If the result is positive or inconclusive, a confirmatory Western blot test costs around PLN 225. With a doctor's referral, the tests are free under the NFZ (Polish public health insurance).

After a tick bite, many people want to have a Lyme disease blood test immediately. This is understandable, but the timing and choice of method have a greater impact on the cost and usefulness of the test than the laboratory’s price. We compare laboratory price-list rates for the screening package, confirmatory test and testing of the tick itself, and explain when each test is appropriate.

How much does a Lyme disease blood test cost?

A Lyme disease blood test most commonly costs PLN 135 privately, according to 3 laboratory price lists collected by indekscen.pl, with half of the listed prices falling within PLN 125 ‑ 145. This price covers a screening package testing for IgG and IgM antibodies using the ELISA method. The cheapest collection points charge from PLN 100, while the most expensive charge up to PLN 200.

Details, quotations from price lists and the dates on which they were checked are available at lyme disease test. The price includes blood collection and the result, which is usually available online after a few working days. It does not include a medical consultation to interpret the result.

How much does an IgG and IgM ELISA test for Lyme disease cost?

An IgG and IgM ELISA test for Lyme disease usually costs PLN 125 ‑ 145, as laboratories sell both antibody classes as a single package. IgM antibodies appear sooner after infection, while IgG antibodies appear later and remain for a long time. Some laboratories allow you to purchase only an IgG or IgM test. A single test is then cheaper, but a doctor should decide whether it is sufficient.

Here is a comparison of tests related to Lyme disease:

Test	What it tests	Typical price
IgG and IgM ELISA package	antibodies in the blood, screening test	PLN 125 ‑ 145
Western blot	confirmation of a positive ELISA result	around PLN 225
Tick test (PCR)	presence of bacteria in the tick	PLN 165 ‑ 250
Full blood count	general blood health, sometimes ordered at the same time	PLN 23 ‑ 29
CRP	inflammation	PLN 20 ‑ 24

Median and typical range from public price lists, as at 5 October 2026. Each price includes a source and quotation on the service page.

Western blot test for Lyme disease: when and how much?

A Western blot test for Lyme disease costs around PLN 225 and is carried out when the ELISA result is positive or inconclusive. This is the sequence recommended by scientific societies: first a cheaper, sensitive screening test, followed by a more precise confirmatory test. Having a Western blot without a prior ELISA is usually an unnecessary expense. For now, our Western blot price comes from a single source, so treat it as a guide.

The testing sequence is:

1. Consult a doctor if a rash or other symptoms appear after the bite.
2. Have an IgG and IgM ELISA package, usually several weeks after the bite.
3. Have a Western blot if the ELISA result is positive or borderline.
4. Discuss the results with a doctor, who will decide on the next steps.

How long after a tick bite should you have a Lyme disease test?

A Lyme disease blood test is usually not useful immediately after a bite because the body needs time to produce antibodies. Testing is most commonly recommended several weeks after the bite, usually 4 to 6 weeks. A test carried out earlier may be negative despite infection, in which case you need to repeat it and pay another PLN 135. It is best to decide on the timing with a doctor, particularly if symptoms have appeared.

How much does testing a tick for Lyme disease cost?

PCR testing of a tick for Lyme disease usually costs PLN 165 ‑ 250 at laboratories, with a median of PLN 250. Extended options, for example including tick-borne encephalitis, cost more. Details are available at tick test.

Testing the tick shows whether it was infected, but not whether the person has become infected. It therefore does not replace a blood test or monitoring the site of the bite. A tick intended for testing should be kept in a sealed container in accordance with the laboratory’s instructions.

Are Lyme disease tests covered by the NFZ?

Lyme disease tests are free under the NFZ (Polish public health insurance), but only with a doctor’s referral. A GP or infectious diseases specialist orders them when the symptoms or course after the bite indicate that testing is appropriate. Without a referral, the test is carried out privately, usually costing PLN 125 ‑ 145 for an ELISA package.

Is a Lyme disease test from a pharmacy reliable?

Rapid Lyme disease tests from pharmacies are less accurate than laboratory tests and are not a substitute for a medical diagnosis. A negative result does not rule out infection, while a positive result requires laboratory confirmation. We do not yet publish a median price for pharmacy tests. If you have symptoms, it is more sensible to spend the money on an ELISA package for around PLN 135 and a doctor’s appointment.

Can Lyme disease cause knee pain?

Joint pain, including knee pain, can be a symptom of Lyme disease, but it also has many other causes. If you develop joint pain, a fever or a rash after a tick bite, see a doctor. The doctor will decide whether Lyme disease tests are needed and interpret the result.

What affects the price of a Lyme disease test?

The price of a Lyme disease test depends primarily on the method and collection point. An ELISA screening package for PLN 125 ‑ 145 is a completely different test from a confirmatory Western blot for around PLN 225, so check exactly what is included when comparing offers. Other factors include:

• Laboratory chain and location. The same chain may list a price range because collection points in large cities can be more expensive than those in smaller towns.
• Package scope. An IgG and IgM package costs more than testing for a single antibody class.
• Online purchase. A test paid for through the laboratory’s online shop may be cheaper than one purchased at the collection point.
• Home collection. A nurse’s home visit incurs an additional fee on top of the test price.

Results for an ELISA package usually take from a few days to a week. Western blot results often take longer because laboratories perform the test less frequently and only at selected facilities.

How can you avoid overpaying for Lyme disease tests?

• Do not test too early. A test carried out before antibodies have developed often needs to be repeated.
• Start with ELISA and only have a Western blot after a positive result.
• Compare collection points. The same laboratory chain charges different prices in different cities.
• Check your employer’s medical package, as it may cover Lyme disease testing.
• If you have symptoms, start by seeing a doctor. The test is free with a referral.

Lyme disease in dogs: how much does testing cost?

We do not yet have a median price for a Lyme disease test for dogs because vets rarely publish it in their price lists. The test is ordered by a vet, and a basic appointment usually costs PLN 58 ‑ 120. We compare the prices of other veterinary procedures in the article how much does it cost to keep a dog.

„Cena badania na boreliozę (IgG + IgM) - pakiet waha się od 105,00 zł do 169,00 zł, w zależności od punktu pobrań.”

Synevo, 2025-09, source

„Wykonanie pakietu badań ELISA w prywatnym laboratorium to wydatek rzędu 100-200 zł.”

wapteka.pl, 2026, source

„Koszt testu na boreliozę zaczyna się już od 110 zł, a ceny zależą od lokalizacji placówki.”

medistore.com.pl, source

You can find more prices for tests and appointments in the health category, and prices for other blood tests in the article full blood count with differential: price. This article compares prices and is not a substitute for medical advice.

The prices in this article come from public laboratory price lists and articles. Each price has a source, date and verbatim quotation on the Lyme disease test price page.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a complete set of Lyme disease tests cost?

Komplet badań na boreliozę to zwykle pakiet ELISA IgG i IgM za PLN 125 ‑ 145, a przy dodatnim wyniku także Western blot za około PLN 225. Nie każdy potrzebuje obu etapów: decyduje wynik pierwszego badania i lekarz.

Can you buy a Lyme disease test at a pharmacy?

Tak, w aptekach i sklepach internetowych są szybkie testy z kropli krwi. Nie mamy jeszcze mediany ich cen. Wynik takiego testu warto potwierdzić w laboratorium i omówić z lekarzem, bo laboratoryjny pakiet ELISA (PLN 135) jest dokładniejszy.

How can you find out if you have Lyme disease?

Boreliozę rozpoznaje lekarz na podstawie objawów i wyników badań krwi. Rumień wędrujący po ukąszeniu kleszcza bywa wystarczający do rozpoznania bez badań, a przy innych objawach lekarz zleca zwykle pakiet ELISA za około PLN 135.

How much does a Lyme disease test for a dog cost?

Nie mamy jeszcze mediany ceny testu na boreliozę dla psa. Badanie zleca weterynarz, a podstawowa wizyta u weterynarza kosztuje zwykle PLN 58 ‑ 120, bez ceny samych badań.

Do you need to fast before a Lyme disease test?

Badanie przeciwciał na boreliozę zwykle nie wymaga bycia na czczo, ale jeśli robisz przy okazji inne badania, na przykład morfologię za około PLN 25, laboratoria zalecają pobranie rano na czczo.

Translation of the original Polish article dated 30 September 2026. Quotations from price lists are in Polish, as published by the companies. Read the original in Polish.

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