Finding a qualified Lyme disease specialist can feel overwhelming, especially when your symptoms are complex and your energy is limited. This guide walks you through the most effective strategies for locating experienced, Lyme-literate care.
What Is a Lyme-Literate Doctor?
A Lyme-literate doctor (sometimes called an LLMD, or Lyme-Literate Medical Doctor) is a healthcare provider with experience evaluating and treating Lyme disease and its common co-infections. These providers tend to take a more comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment than providers who see Lyme cases rarely.
Types of Providers Who Treat Lyme Disease
- Physicians (MD, DO) specializing in infectious disease or internal medicine
- Functional medicine practitioners
- Integrative medicine clinics
- Naturopathic doctors (ND) in states where they are licensed to prescribe
- Nurse practitioners and physician assistants with Lyme experience
- Telemedicine providers serving patients in multiple states
How to Search for a Specialist
- Use LymeSpecialists.com to search by state, city, or condition
- Filter for telemedicine if in-person care is not available near you
- Ask your primary care provider for a referral
- Connect with local Lyme support groups for patient recommendations
- Contact ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society) for their provider referral resources
Questions to Ask a Potential Provider
- How many Lyme disease patients do you currently treat?
- Do you evaluate for co-infections such as Bartonella, Babesia, and Ehrlichiosis?
- What testing approaches do you use?
- Do you offer telemedicine appointments?
- What is your approach to treatment?
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
A thorough first appointment with a Lyme-literate provider typically includes a detailed symptom history, review of prior test results, and a discussion of your exposure history and symptom timeline. Be prepared to share documentation of any prior diagnoses, treatments, and lab work.