No antibodies update

[2013mayo]

Hi everyone,

I seem to have opened up a can of worms regarding no antibodies and 2 vac of Astra Zeneca, I’m going to have another test in a few weeks to see if it’s improved, failing that I’m not sure where I go from here, I’ve got my op coming up in a few weeks so also very concerned I may be susceptible to catching covid in hospital.

Let’s see what the new test says, the one I took was from a firm called biobank, I would think they are pretty good as they test for all kind of things, I’ve been with them for years for my old metal on metal hip replacement .

I’ll let you all know the result.

X

Ps, I’ve got to pay for this test 🙁

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Don't think it IS a can of worms - it is something that should have been explained a lot sooner. However, the approach from many governments has been to NOT explain. And too many people don't have enough of a grasp of epidemiology and statistics to be able to work it out for themselves.

[2013mayo in reply to PMRpro]

True, I think it’s an interesting subject and one that the people like us with low immunity should be aware of, more information should be available to us, it makes me wonder if I should contact Mat regarding this fact, there are many many people in our position that should be advised if they are safe to enter the big wide world. Are we safe? Need a better understanding of this one to put our minds at rest, are we just lambs to the slaughter?

Very worrying.

X

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 2013mayo]

I'm pretty sure someone is looking at it - but it is going to take a while to get enough figures. And the more the merrier ...

[2013mayo in reply to PMRpro]

Well they need to pull their fingers out, we need info now.Xx

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to 2013mayo]

But it takes time for the immunity to develop - it may not develop as quickly so multiple levels of tests must be done to track what happens, Then the results must be analysed, that also takes time because you have to have enough data for the analysis to mean anything. And in fact, at present they don't really know which bit of the immune response is the most important - and a study starts today in Oxford deliberately infecting people to see if they can re-catch Covid after having it once and which bits of the immune system are involved. The vaccine is far safer than letting you catch Covid - without one or the other you remain at high risk of catching it if you meet it. No-one can change that and nor can anyone change the development of mutations EXCEPT by keeping distance between potential cases and you - and that is up to you. Over time it will become clearer - but it can't be hurried, however much we would like it to be done NOW. Haste will just achieve nothing because the wrong answers will make things worse not better.

[GOOD_GRIEF in reply to 2013mayo]

Those of us who have been vaccinated are safer. So far. We still don't know whether the level of immunity achieved will last. And at this juncture, we seem to be protected from the variants. That may not endure as new variants crop up, as they will until the world - not just our countries and not just our communities - achieve herd immunity and the virus dies out from lack of hosts. Or mutates into something like the common cold.

Here in the US it's being recommended that we avoid crowds, keep our distance from strangers (we can't know where they've traveled or whether they're fully vaccinated), wear masks in indoor public places or crowded outdoor public places, and keep family and friend gatherings of vaccinated adults and young adults to a dozen or less. At least for now, go ahead and cuddle the little ones. Particularly vulnerable vaccinated people may want to continue to wear masks in such situations. Keep washing your hands.

We're all in this together, folks, for the duration, and we're responsible to and for one another.

Maybe that's a lesson we should learn and apply to all of our troubles.

[Rache]

I think I might be tempted to have an antibody test but a few I looked up previously seemed to be saying the test showed if you had had covid and thus developed antibodies. They were unable to say whether a positive vaccination result would show up.

[Highlandtiger]

There seem to be two parallel threads on the same topic. Below is a repeat of what I posted on your other one but probably would have been better if I’d posted here.

——————————

If it’s the UK Biobank study (which I think you said elsewhere) in their FAQ section they state that just because the test for antibodies is negative it does NOT mean that you are not protected by the vaccine. There was a video from one of the professors involved in the study which tried to explain it. As PMRpro says it is not entirely straightforward. My Covidence antibody test in January (pre AZ jag) was negative. That didn’t surprise me. My Biobank test in April (post AZ first jag) was also negative. I was disappointed but went in to FAQ and read what they said and watched the video and was somewhat reassured.

[RoadTrip]

I have been looking into this. There seems to be a number of tests some are to assess wether you have had covid, others to see the result of the vaccine. On one site it suggests for immune compromised that a 6 week wait after the second jab is recommended. The Roche test for vaccine response, seems to be the most widely recommended which gives a value from 0 to 2500+. It needs 5-10ml of blood. I am thinking about getting it but need to investigate further.

[Rache in reply to RoadTrip]

Thanks for the info. Will look into Roche tests

[2013mayo in reply to RoadTrip]

The biobank was testing for both, I agree maybe I should of waited longer after the 2nd vac, but to me you should have a response after the first one, that was 3 months ago.Anyway I’m going to do another test with possibly the one you suggested.

Thank you x

[RoadTrip in reply to 2013mayo]

I’m hoping have some response also, but no side effects after Pfizer jabs, and CRP done 6 days after 2 nd dose was normal. I think it’s early days for these tests as one site selling them was saying not sure what they proved as T cells etc. Also relevant. That said I’ll probably get one and hope positive result.