Three months after second vaccination - Antibody level increased

[Transplant2014]

As participant in John Hopkins research I had my next Antibody test in LabCorp and result is somewhat confusing. Research requires multiple tests (one month, 3 months and 5 months after second vaccination). One month after my vaccination (Moderna) the Antibody level was Positive, but very low (1.45 U/mL). Current test (3 months) shows much higher level (65.7 U/mL). It is totally unexpected and counterintuitive. Did anybody else had similar trend for increasing antibody level with time?

[LisaSnow]

They probably had calibrated their detection limit so the range that can be "captured" increased, hence a better ability to quantity the in vivo antibodies.

[Transplant2014 in reply to LisaSnow]

Hi Lisa, I am not sure what you are saying. I do not believe that LabCorp had any changes in test procedures or result processing in that period (from mid March to mid June), at least there is no any references for such changes. They also keep the same Threshold for "Positive" result (0.8 U/mL). So it is quite unlikely that "recalibration" caused such significant change in reported Antibody level. For last hour I was looking at some posts at Facebook and there are other Transplant patients reporting similar increase in Antibody levels few months after full vaccination.

[LisaSnow]

Were your tests done after the second dose?

[Transplant2014 in reply to LisaSnow]

Both test at LabCorp, the same place.

[LisaSnow in reply to Transplant2014]

After your second dose of the vaccine?

[Transplant2014]

Yes - the first test was done at LabCorp 30 days after second vaccination and the second test at the same place 3 months after second vaccination. This is the schedule that required by John Hopkins research for all participants.

[CNeb]

This is showing to be the case in a study performed by the French for those that had 3 doses. Also there is no change to the testing method or “detection limit”. You’re not the first to see an increase in antibody levels over time. I too am part of this study and will be submitting my 6 month sample on Monday. That will be 6 months after the second dose (negative) and ~3 months after my third dose (positive). By chance have you been attending the webinars that Johns Hopkins has been offering to go over findings after each step of their study?

[LisaSnow in reply to CNeb]

Wow 67% of participants still had no detectable antibodies 2weeks after the 3rd dose? I hope they develop some further out from the time of the 3rd shot.

[CNeb]

Here is a link to the findings after the 3rd dose and I am patient #17 in the study's chart.

acpjournals.org/doi/full/10...

Here is a link to findings from the French study.

nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/N...

[Morello]

Thank you Transplant2014 for sharing your experience. Your results do seem counter-intuitive - for example this recent study in the NEJM (nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/n... shows most everyone getting to peak response by around the 1-1/2 month mark, and tapering down just a bit after that. It sounds like your response is an outlier from these findings, but maybe similar to other immune suppressed people like me. In a way this is hopeful - I always think of my immune system kind of like a drunk blindfolded guy trying to hit the Piñata ! Maybe given more time than the immune-competent he can finally figure out how to whack those incoming Coronaviruses! I've had 2 doses of the Pfizer shot and this week I tested positive but very low (at 21.6 U/mL on the Labcorp (Roche) spike protein rbd test).

With a third dose of the Pfizer shot I might have a similar response to the findings in some of these recent studies. Very encouraging. So glad this research is coming out, and glad this group is sharing their experiences.

[TiMa5]

I'm praying for everyone on this chat who is struggling. Having a transplant is not easy and then the meds. Nor forgetting the other ailments. There aren't any easy answers, but at least ease some of the turmoil within. 🤗

[May4]

I had no detectable antibodies 1 month after one dose of the J&J and 115U/ml after 3 months. Considering either another does of J&J since that did something for me, or possibly going for Pfizer/Moderna, but waiting to consult further with my nephrologist.