101: The Diagnosis Everyone Misses – The Shocking Truth Behind Chronic Symptoms and Lyme Disease with Veronica Porterfield

What if the reason so many people struggle with chronic symptoms is not a missed diagnosis, but a misunderstood infection? In this episode of Made for Health , Dr. Aaron Hartman is joined by Veronica Porterfield, MS, LN, MPAS, PA-C to unpack the growing epidemic of Lyme disease and other tick borne illnesses such as Babesia and Bartonella. Together, they explore why Lyme disease is so frequently overlooked, misdiagnosed, or dismissed, despite affecting nearly half a million people in the United States each year. This conversation dives deep into the limitations of current testing, the controversy surrounding diagnostic guidelines, and why Lyme is often called the “great imitator.” Dr. Hartman and Veronica explain how Lyme and its coinfections can mimic autoimmune disease, neurological conditions, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and even dementia. They also discuss why many patients worsen with immune suppressing treatments and how underlying infections may be the missing piece. This episode serves as an essential foundation for understanding Lyme disease, setting the stage for deeper discussions on treatment strategies and recovery in upcoming episodes. About the Host Dr. Aaron Hartman, MD is the founder of Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine. He specializes in complex chronic illness, root cause medicine, and cases that have failed conventional treatment. His work focuses on uncovering hidden infections, immune dysfunction, and environmental triggers that drive long term illness. About the Guest Veronica Porterfield, MS, LN, MPAS, PA-C is a clinician at Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine with extensive experience treating Lyme disease and tick borne illnesses. She brings a patient centered, systems based approach to complex infections, autoimmunity, and chronic inflammatory conditions. Key Topics Covered Why Lyme disease affects nearly half a million people annually in the US The economic and personal cost of missed Lyme diagnoses Why standard Lyme tests often produce false negatives Differences between antibody testing and direct testing methods How early antibiotics can suppress antibodies without clearing infection Why Lyme is known as the “new great imitator” Conditions commonly misdiagnosed instead of Lyme disease The role of Babesia and Bartonella as common coinfections Classic symptoms of Babesia including night sweats and air hunger Signs of Bartonella such as foot pain, bladder irritation, and unusual stretch marks Why coinfections are often treated clinically rather than by lab confirmation The controversy between IDSA and ILADS diagnostic perspectives How immune suppression can worsen undiagnosed infections The link between chronic infection, autoimmunity, and immune dysfunction Why persistent inflammation may signal an underlying infection The importance of a holistic, patient centered approach to tick borne illness 📲 Follow & Resources Dr. Aaron Hartman & Richmond Integrative & Functional Medicine Website: https://richmondfunctionalmedicine.com/ YouTube: @AaronHartmanMD Mentioned in this episode: Get Dr. Hartman's New Book - UnCURABLE If you’ve been let down by the system, you’re not alone — and you’re not powerless. Dr. Hartmans wrote UnCURABLE to help you take back control of your health and your hope. Visit the link below ⬇️ to get your copy and start your transformation today. Get the new book UnCURABLE