A Message from Dr. Fetters
As many of you may know, I am not simply a physician who treats Lyme disease — I am someone who has lived it. Growing up, the outdoors was my world. Hunting, fishing, hiking — if it happened outside, I was there. Somewhere along that journey, Lyme found me, too.
Navigating this disease from the patient’s side is an experience I would not trade, because it changed everything about how I practice medicine. I know firsthand what it feels like to search for answers, to manage unpredictable symptoms, and to find a path toward healing. That perspective, combined with years of treating thousands of patients with Lyme disease and its complex co-infections, has given me a depth of understanding that no textbook alone could provide.
At Health & Wellness of Carmel, we approach Lyme with the precision it demands and the compassion it deserves. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month — and we hope this newsletter serves as a valuable resource for you, your family, and your community.
Dr. Clifford Fetters, MD — Health & Wellness of Carmel
Dr. Fetters enjoying a fishing trip with family — and yes, tick protection was on 😉
Clifford Fetters, MD
Owner & Medical Director · Health & Wellness of Carmel
A GROWING GLOBAL CONCERN
Lyme Disease Is on the Rise — and It Matters More Than Ever
476K+
Americans diagnosed or treated annually *
50+
Countries where Lyme has been reported
10×
More cases estimated than officially reported
Lyme disease, caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi (and related species), is now the most common vector-borne illness in the Northern Hemisphere. Spread primarily through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks — commonly called deer ticks — the disease has expanded far beyond its historic northeastern U.S. range. Shifting climates, changing wildlife populations, and increased human activity in wooded areas are all contributing to this expansion.
Cases are being confirmed in regions where Lyme was once considered rare: the Midwest, the South, the Pacific Northwest, and across Europe and Asia. Tick season is also lengthening — some areas now see active ticks for nine or more months of the year. This is not a niche regional problem. It is an accelerating public health challenge that demands our attention.
Lyme is a master of disguise. It can mimic dozens of conditions — from fibromyalgia and multiple sclerosis to anxiety and autoimmune disease — which is precisely why so many patients spend years searching for an accurate diagnosis.
What makes Lyme particularly challenging is its ability to evade detection. Standard two-tier testing misses a significant proportion of cases, especially in early or chronic stages. Co-infections — including Bartonella, Babesia, Ehrlichia, and others — frequently accompany Lyme and must be considered as part of the complete clinical picture. This is why thorough, comprehensive evaluation is so essential.
RECOGNIZING THE SIGNS
Lyme Disease: Many Faces, One Root Cause
⚠ THE CLASSIC “BULL’S-EYE” RASH IS NOT ALWAYS PRESENT
The erythema migrans rash — the telltale expanding red ring — appears in only an estimated 70–80% of infected individuals. Many people never see it at all. Do not rely solely on a rash to rule Lyme in or out of a diagnosis.
Early-Stage Symptoms
- Flu-like illness (fever, chills, fatigue)
- Muscle and joint aches
- Headache and stiff neck
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Expanding skin rash at bite site
Later / Chronic Symptoms
- Severe joint pain and swelling
- Neurological symptoms (numbness, tingling)
- Cognitive difficulties (“brain fog”)
- Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
- Profound fatigue and sleep disruption
- Anxiety, mood changes, depression
LAB TESTING
Why Standard Lyme Testing Fails — And What We Order Instead
Standard two-tier testing (ELISA + Western Blot) catches only about 38% of early Lyme cases. The ELISA alone misses 35–50% of infections, and the Western Blot is only ordered if ELISA is positive — meaning many patients are turned away without a complete picture.
⚠ THE BANDS THAT ACTUALLY MATTER
Lyme-specific bands on Western Blot — 23, 31, 34, 39, and 93 kDa — are among the most diagnostically meaningful, yet the CDC’s 5-of-10 threshold means a patient can have several of these reactive and still be told they are “negative.” We consider Lyme a clinical diagnosis: lab results are one piece of the picture, not the whole story.
Specialty Labs We Use
- IGeneX
- Vibrant Labs
- Medical Diagnostic Laboratories (MDL)
- RGCC
Always Test Co-Infections
- Babesia
- Bartonella
- Ehrlichia
- Anaplasma
One tick bite can deliver multiple pathogens — each requiring a different treatment.
OUR INTEGRATIVE APPROACH
How We Treat Lyme at HWoFC
Our care team — myself, Jenna Toupin, NP, and Leila Reed, PA — brings deep, hands-on experience in diagnosing and treating Lyme disease and its co-infections. I am a proud member of ILADS (International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society), and our protocols reflect that commitment to evidence-informed, integrative Lyme care. We believe no two patients are the same, and no single protocol fits all. Your treatment is individualized from the ground up, drawing on the best of both conventional and integrative medicine.
🌿 Herbal Protocols
We use evidence-informed herbal antimicrobials and immune modulators, including BLT and Crypto from Research Nutritionals — formulas designed specifically for complex tick-borne illness. We also draw from the Beyond Balance and Byron White herbal lines, which offer targeted support for Lyme, co-infections, biofilm disruption, and detoxification. Every herbal regimen is chosen and sequenced for the individual patient.
🔬 SOT Therapy
Supportive Oligonucleotide Technique (SOT) is an innovative, precision-based therapy that creates a custom oligonucleotide designed to interrupt the replication of specific pathogens — including Borrelia and common co-infections. SOT is a targeted, non-toxic option for patients whose infections have proven difficult to resolve through conventional means.
💧 Ozone Therapy
Medical ozone has potent antimicrobial, antiviral, and immune-stimulating properties. We use ozone therapy — including Major Autohemotherapy (MAH) and ozone IV infusions — to reduce pathogen burden, support mitochondrial function, and address the oxidative stress central to chronic Lyme illness.
⚡ SPDT Therapy
Sonodynamic and Photodynamic Therapy (SPDT) uses a sensitizing agent activated by sound and light waves to selectively target and destroy pathogens — including Borrelia and co-infections — while minimizing harm to healthy tissue. It is particularly valuable for patients with persistent infection who have not responded fully to other treatments.
🧬 Conventional & Functional Medicine
Where appropriate, we incorporate antibiotic therapy alongside advanced laboratory testing — including specialty panels for co-infections, immune dysfunction, nutrient status, and hormonal health. Gut health, detoxification, inflammation, and adrenal function are all addressed as part of each patient’s complete care plan.
HERBAL SPOTLIGHT
Featured Products in Our Lyme Protocols
BLT & Crypto
Research Nutritionals
BLT is a comprehensive antimicrobial and anti-biofilm formula designed to target active Borrelia and support immune function. Crypto is formulated for the persistent, cystic forms of Borrelia that evade conventional treatment. Used together, they provide coverage across both active and dormant spirochete forms.
NutraMedix Stevia
NutraMedix
Stevia extract has demonstrated activity against Borrelia burgdorferi biofilm and cystic forms in research settings. We incorporate NutraMedix Stevia as part of our biofilm-disruption protocols to complement other antimicrobial therapies.
Beyond Balance & Byron White
Practitioner Herbal Lines
These practitioner-grade herbal systems include targeted formulas for Lyme, Bartonella, Babesia, mold toxicity, biofilm disruption, and drainage support — each customized to the patient’s unique clinical picture.
All herbal and supplemental protocols at HWoFC are prescribed and monitored by our licensed providers. We strongly advise against self-treating complex tick-borne illness. Please schedule a consultation to determine the safest and most effective approach for your individual situation.
MEET THE TEAM
Your Lyme-Literate Care Team
Clifford Fetters, MD – Owner & Medical Director
Jenna Toupin, NP – Nurse Practitioner
Leila Reed, PA – Physician Assistant
All three of our providers are experienced in the evaluation and management of Lyme disease and tick-borne co-infections. We understand how isolating and exhausting this journey can be — and we are fully committed to walking it with you.
READY TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP?
Think You May Have Lyme? Let’s Talk.
Whether you are experiencing unexplained chronic symptoms, have had a recent tick exposure, or simply want a thorough Lyme and co-infection evaluation — our team is here. We offer comprehensive consultations for new and existing patients.
📞 CALL or TEXT our office to schedule your appointment!
PREVENTION
Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Tick Bites
The best treatment for Lyme disease is the one you never need. A combination of environmental awareness, protective habits, and natural tools can meaningfully reduce your risk.
🦌 Know your habitat
Ticks thrive in wooded areas, tall grasses, leaf litter, and brushy edges — but they can also be found in suburban backyards. Be especially vigilant during spring and fall when nymphal ticks (the hardest to spot) are most active.
👕 Dress protectively
Wear long sleeves and pants when outdoors in tick-prone areas. Tuck your pants into your socks. Light-colored clothing makes it easier to spot ticks before they reach skin.
🔍 Do thorough tick checks — every time
After any outdoor activity, check your entire body carefully — including behind the knees, the groin, underarms, scalp, and behind the ears. Check pets and children too. Nymphal ticks can be as small as a poppy seed.
🚿 Shower promptly after outdoor exposure
Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce Lyme transmission risk and provides an ideal opportunity for a thorough head-to-toe check.
🌿 Use holistic tick repellent sprays
Natural repellents containing essential oils such as rose geranium, cedar, eucalyptus, and peppermint can be effective deterrents. Products like Wondercide and Tick Tock Naturals offer a non-toxic alternative to DEET that is safe for children, pets, and everyday use. Apply to clothing, exposed skin, and gear before heading outdoors.
🌿 Treat your yard
Keep lawns mowed, remove leaf piles, and create a buffer of wood chips or gravel between wooded areas and your lawn. Eco-friendly yard treatments with cedar oil or neem are effective and safer for families and pets.
🐕 Protect your pets
Pets can carry ticks indoors without becoming infected themselves. Use veterinarian-recommended tick prevention and check pets regularly — especially around the ears, between toes, and under collars.
⏱️ Remove ticks promptly and correctly
Use fine-tipped tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. Pull upward with steady, even pressure — no twisting, crushing, or heat. Clean the bite area with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Save the tick in a sealed bag for potential testing and note the date.
