Question: Can a certified MD in very good standing order an FTA ABS or a TPPA confirmatory syphilis test from a large reputable lab in conjunction with an RPR test that has turned up negative. This is for what would have been a sexual contact over 40 years ago. I have been totally sexually monogamous with my wife since then. My information is that the lab will not perform the confirmatory test UNLESS the RPR screening test is positive. I was told that an RPR screening test very well may show a false negative after 40 years but the above mentioned confirmatory tests ( without any treatment for syphilis) are accurate for life regardless of the intervening time period. I want to have a confirmatory test done to put my mind at ease. I am very worried as of now. If the lab can over ride a doctors order.then in my opinion this is the perfect case of the tail wagging the dog. I understand that the test is expensive but that is not a problem for me. If you know of any way I can have this confirmatory test performed regardless of the result of a negative RPR please let me know. If I know I can have this test performed it would GREATLY help me. I could relax again.
Thank you, XXXXXXX