LLMD stands for Lyme-Literate Medical Doctor. The term is used informally in the Lyme disease community to describe healthcare providers who have substantial experience with Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment.
What LLMD Means
LLMD is not an official medical designation or board certification. It is a community-coined term that refers to providers who take a comprehensive, patient-centered approach to Lyme disease and related tick-borne illness.
Because Lyme disease diagnosis and treatment involve clinical judgment and ongoing research, patients often seek providers specifically experienced in this area. An LLMD is someone who has developed that experience.
Why Patients Seek LLMDs
- Complex or chronic symptoms that have not responded to standard treatment
- Suspected co-infections such as Bartonella, Babesia, or Ehrlichiosis
- History of tick exposure combined with unresolved health issues
- Prior Lyme diagnosis with ongoing or returning symptoms
- Difficulty getting taken seriously in conventional care settings
Types of Providers Who Practice as LLMDs
- Physicians (MD or DO) with internal medicine, infectious disease, or integrative training
- Naturopathic doctors licensed to prescribe in their states
- Functional medicine practitioners
- Nurse practitioners and physician assistants with specialized Lyme experience
How to Find an LLMD
Use LymeSpecialists.com to search by state, city, or condition. You can also filter by telemedicine availability if you are not near a Lyme-experienced provider. Patient advocacy groups and organizations such as ILADS also maintain provider referral resources.