Lyme disease is one of the most misunderstood and frequently misdiagnosed infections today. While many associate it with the classic “bull’s-eye” rash and flu-like symptoms, Lyme disease can evolve into a chronic, multi-system illness that affects the nervous system, joints, heart, and even cognitive function. Misdiagnosis is common because symptoms mimic other conditions like fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune disorders, and even psychiatric illnesses.
The Importance of Early Detection & Comprehensive Care
Timely diagnosis and proper treatment of Lyme disease are critical. Unfortunately, standard testing methods often miss cases, leaving patients suffering from unresolved symptoms. At Restorative Medicine Center, we take a functional and integrative medicine approach to Lyme disease care, identifying the root causes of your symptoms rather than just addressing surface-level issues.
By utilizing advanced diagnostic testing, we go beyond conventional Lyme screening to assess immune dysfunction, co-infections, and toxin burdens that may be contributing to persistent illness. Our goal is to restore immune balance, reduce inflammation, and eliminate underlying infections to help patients regain their health and vitality.
Expert Lyme Disease Treatment at Restorative Medicine Center
Dr. Teresa Birkmeier-Fredal is a leading expert in Lyme disease care in Michigan. With years of experience treating complex, chronic infections, she specializes in stealth pathogen evaluation—a comprehensive method for uncovering hidden infections like Lyme disease, Bartonella, and Babesia.
At Restorative Medicine Center, we utilize:
✅ Comprehensive Testing: Advanced diagnostics to detect Lyme and co-infections.
✅ Personalized Treatment Plans: A mix of herbal, pharmaceutical, and immune-supportive therapies.
✅ Detoxification Strategies: Addressing environmental and microbial toxins that can worsen symptoms.
✅ Holistic Support: Lifestyle, nutrition, and stress management for long-term recovery.
If you’re struggling with unexplained symptoms and suspect Lyme disease, don’t wait. Contact Restorative Medicine Center today to start your healing journey with expert, compassionate care.
What Is Lyme Disease?
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected black-legged tick (commonly known as the deer tick). While many people associate Lyme disease with tick bites in wooded or grassy areas, it’s important to note that ticks can be carried by birds, deer, and even household pets, making exposure possible in suburban and urban environments as well.
What makes Lyme disease particularly challenging is that the bacteria are stealth pathogens, meaning they have evolved mechanisms to evade detection by the immune system. This allows the infection to persist in the body, leading to chronic symptoms if left untreated.
Common Symptoms: Acute vs. Chronic Lyme Disease
Lyme disease can manifest in two main stages—acute and chronic.
🔹 Acute Lyme Disease Symptoms (Early Stage)
These symptoms typically develop days to weeks after a tick bite and may include:
- Flu-like symptoms: Fever, chills, fatigue, headache, muscle aches.
- Bull’s-eye rash (erythema migrans)—though it only appears in about 30% of cases.
- Joint stiffness and swelling, especially in the knees.
- Nerve pain or tingling, often in the arms and legs.
🔹 Chronic Lyme Disease Symptoms (Late-Stage or Persistent Lyme)
If not treated promptly, Lyme disease can persist for months or years, causing systemic issues such as:
- Severe fatigue
- Cognitive dysfunction (“brain fog”), memory problems, difficulty concentrating
- Chronic joint and muscle pain (often misdiagnosed as fibromyalgia or arthritis)
- Neurological symptoms: Dizziness, migraines, numbness, facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy)
- Cardiac symptoms: Irregular heartbeat (Lyme carditis)
- Mental health changes: Anxiety, depression, mood swings
Why Is Lyme Disease So Hard to Diagnose?
One of the biggest challenges in Lyme disease care is accurate diagnosis. Many cases go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for years due to:
✅ Unreliable Standard Testing
- The ELISA and Western Blot tests often produce false negatives, especially in early or chronic stages.
- The immune system may not produce detectable antibodies in some individuals, making Lyme disease difficult to confirm through standard lab work.
✅ Mimics Other Diseases
- Symptoms of Lyme disease overlap with conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and even psychiatric disorders.
- Many patients see multiple specialists without getting a correct diagnosis.
✅ Stealth Pathogen Behavior
- Borrelia burgdorferi can hide inside cells, suppress immune function, and shift into dormant forms, making it harder for the body to recognize and eliminate.
- The bacteria often come with co-infections (like Babesia, Bartonella, and Mycoplasma) that worsen symptoms and further complicate diagnosis.
Because Lyme disease is so complex, it requires an in-depth evaluation to identify and address not just the infection, but the immune dysfunction and inflammation it triggers.
Our Approach to Lyme Disease Treatment
At Restorative Medicine Center, we take a root-cause-focused approach to Lyme disease treatment, moving beyond symptom management to identify and resolve the underlying issues driving chronic illness. Lyme disease is not just an infection—it is an immune-disrupting, toxin-producing stealth pathogen that can wreak havoc on multiple systems in the body. That’s why our approach is based on the Root Cause Triad:
The Root Cause Triad: The Key to Healing Chronic Lyme Disease
✅ Microbes (Infections & Co-Infections)
Lyme disease is rarely a single infection. Many patients also suffer from co-infections such as:
- Bartonella – Can cause neurological issues, psychiatric symptoms, and vascular inflammation.
- Babesia – A malaria-like parasite that leads to severe fatigue, night sweats, and shortness of breath.
- Mycoplasma & Chlamydia pneumoniae – Chronic respiratory infections that worsen inflammation.
These stealth pathogens disrupt the immune system and can persist for years if not properly treated.
✅ Toxins (Biotoxins & Environmental Burdens)
Lyme bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi) and co-infections release biotoxins that overload the body’s detox pathways, leading to:
- Brain fog and cognitive dysfunction
- Chronic inflammation
- Detoxification impairments
- Chemical sensitivities
Many patients also have mold exposure or heavy metal toxicity, which worsens immune suppression.
✅ Stress Response (Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction)
Chronic infections and toxins place the body in a constant fight-or-flight state, leading to:
- Adrenal exhaustion and hormonal imbalances
- Sleep disturbances and anxiety
- Poor gut function and nutrient absorption
By addressing nervous system dysregulation, we help patients regain balance, resilience, and overall well-being.
Advanced Diagnostic Testing: Getting the Right Diagnosis
One of the biggest reasons Lyme disease is misdiagnosed is because conventional tests (like ELISA and Western Blot) fail to detect chronic infections.
At Restorative Medicine Center, we use:
✔ Specialized Lyme Disease Panels – Detects Borrelia and co-infections with better sensitivity.
✔ Biotoxin & Inflammatory Markers – Identifies immune system dysfunction (CIRS markers, cytokines, VEGF, MMP-9, C4a, TGFB1).
✔ Immune System Function Tests – Evaluates antibody levels, autoimmunity, and chronic infections.
✔ Toxin Burden Testing – Screens for mold exposure, heavy metals, and environmental toxicants.
By taking a comprehensive diagnostic approach, we can identify hidden infections and inflammation triggers that are often missed by standard testing.
Comprehensive Lyme Disease Treatment Plans
1️⃣ Herbal & Antimicrobial Protocols
We tailor treatment based on individual microbial burdens, using:
- Herbal antimicrobials (Japanese Knotweed, Cryptolepis, Artemisinin).
- Pharmaceutical antibiotics (if needed), pulsed in a way that prevents resistance.
- Antiparasitic & antifungal therapy for co-infections.
2️⃣ Immune System Support
Lyme hijacks the immune system, so we focus on:
- Immune-modulating therapies (Low-Dose Immunotherapy, Transfer Factors).
- Nutrient optimization (Vitamin D, zinc, glutathione, and mitochondrial support).
- Reducing chronic inflammation to restore immune balance.
3️⃣ Detoxification & Mold/Mycotoxin Evaluation
Since toxin buildup fuels chronic illness, we integrate:
- Far infrared sauna therapy for detox support.
- Liver support (glutathione, NAC, binders) to clear toxins.
- Mold and mycotoxin testing to eliminate hidden environmental triggers.
4️⃣ Nervous System Regulation & Stress Reduction
Chronic infections overload the nervous system, keeping the body in a constant inflammatory state. Our strategies include:
- Vagus nerve stimulation & breathwork exercises to reset the autonomic nervous system.
- Red light & near-infrared therapy for pain relief and mitochondrial support.
- Adrenal support protocols to restore sleep, energy, and hormonal balance.
How to Get Started with Lyme Disease Treatment in Birmingham
If you suspect Lyme disease or are struggling with chronic symptoms that haven't been properly diagnosed, don't wait—getting the right treatment as soon as possible can make a significant difference in your recovery.
📅 Steps to Book an Appointment
1️⃣ Visit Our Website: Restorative Medicine Center to learn more about our approach.
2️⃣ Call Our Office: 📞 248-289-6349 to schedule your initial consultation.
3️⃣ Prepare for Your Visit: Keep a symptom timeline and bring any past lab results to your appointment.
4️⃣ Choose Telemedicine or In-Person Care: We offer virtual consultations for convenience, as well as in-office visits in Rochester Hills, MI.
💡 Take Control of Your Health
Lyme disease is a complex, often misdiagnosed condition, but with the right root-cause-focused approach, you can recover and regain your quality of life. Dr. Teresa Birkmeier-Fredal and the team at Restorative Medicine Center specialize in stealth pathogen evaluation, immune support, and detoxification strategies to get to the root cause of chronic illness.
📢 Contact Restorative Medicine Center Today!
Ready to take the next step toward healing? Call us at 📞 248-289-6349 or visit Restorative Medicine Center to book your appointment. Let’s uncover the root cause of your symptoms and create a path to true recovery!