Hi,
I'd like to buy a Covid antibody test.
Although I am still not going in to shops or mixing with people outside of my bubble I do babysit my grandchildren (aged 2, 4 and 8). Now the oldest two are back at school I am a bit nervous, so would like to know if I have any antibody protection. (I know there is T cell protection too).
I've googled and a few options come up. Are they all much of a muchness, or are some recommended?
Lettie
Hi Lettie,I used testing for all. I don’t know what other companies are like. However, if you read my other post, ‘test results’. I, personally wouldn’t bother.
Judy
As Judy says, and a lot of the replies to her original post have confirmed, the tests available don't seem to be worth doing yet in order to see how helpful the vaccinations have been to us. It's very frustrating for all of us to be told to be patient but there doesn't seem any alternative meantime.
I saw this on the ZOE Covid Symptom Study website today ( the study is run by Kings College London with Guy's and St Thomas's):
covid.joinzoe.com/post/antibody-tests-explained
I am a bit confused. After thé vaccin donwe not have antibodies?I also have colitis ulcerosa. People who had covid does not have antibodies in there blood.
So this is double trouble for me.
I just interpreted it to mean the tests just don't show thow the vaccine has worked yet not that it hasn't worked, but I'm not a scientist and someone else might be able to interpret the Zoe site more clearly:
"Anti-N antibody tests can only reveal if it’s likely you’ve had COVID-19, and can’t tell you if your vaccine is working, since they only show the natural immune responses produced by your body."
However replies to Jenny's original post indicated there is a lot of work going on particularly to see how well it works for us. I just remain cautious meantime.
Txs
Have you now had both of your vaccinations?
Lettie there are no antibody tests approved the government, personally I would not waste the money.
Hi Lettie,
If you try an antibody test you may be disappointed, just like I was....
I and my other half have had both doses of vaccine. I had Astra-Zeneca and he had the Pfizer. A few weeks after the second dose I bought the antibody tests from Lloyds Pharmacy as I was curious about the protection offered by these vaccines. Both our antibodies tests came back negative. One of my colleagues in work had one of those antibodies test offered by the NHS for free and it came back negative too (she also had both doses of Astra-Zeneca).
I've kept thinking about this and don't have an answer. I wonder if anybody knows actually?!
I am not sure how reliable the information is but I have found this online: creakyjoints.org/living-wit...
To end on a positive note another one of my colleagues and his wife had both doses of Pfizer and then their children and parents developed Covid-19 (the parents hadn't been vaccinated at that time). They lived in the same house and cared for them and never tested positive throughout those weeks.
Had you thought of picking up the lateral flow tests the government is handing out - available free from pharmacies or nhs online? 7 in a box. They might put your mind at rest.
Thank you all for the responses, even though they aren't what I'd hoped to hear, lol.
I've been thinking hard about it, and regardless of the result I wouldn't want to stop looking after my grandchildren.
I guess I'd wanted the test for peace of mind. But it seems there is a good chance all it would do is make me anxious. So, I think this is one of those rare occasions in life when ignorance is bliss. I will save my money 
Lettie
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