Aaron Hartman, MDFunctional Medicine Specialist | Clinical Researcher

Why Lyme Tests Are Often Negative #shorts

31 Mar 2026 · 1 min

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Dr. Aaron Hartman explains why Lyme disease goes undiagnosed so often. The U.S. sees roughly 500,000 new cases yearly and loses $1 billion in productivity. Diagnostic tests are unreliable, clinicians disagree on treatment, and patients get conflicting information.

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You know, right now it's almost half a million new cases of Lyme disease in our country. It costs almost $1 billion a year, a year in lost work. This is a big deal. And in general, people aren't talking about it. Why are we missing this front? You came from a place filled full of Lyme. And when I came back to Richmond from my time in the military, I was told there was no Lyme disease here in Richmond. Like, what's the deal?
I think that's a very layered question, Dr. Hartman. I think there are many levels. That create problems with Lyme diagnostics. I think the tests themselves are not super reliable. I think there's some difference of opinion in the medical community, which is really confusing for people.