Covid antibody testing - is it worth it? Spoiler alert: probably not!

[PMRpro]

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

If you are considering spending good money on one of the antibody testing kits that are commercially available, I thought perhaps you might like to read this article. She concludes that "Commercial tests that promise to measure your immune response aren't very useful, at least for now"

Better and safer to wait a bit and possess your soul in patience as my mother would have said. Once the controversial "herd immunity" is achieved and providing the vaccine remains effective against all variants, we too will be safe to resume rather more activities. In the meantime - be picky about your friends, let only doubly vaccinated close and still wear a mask.

I am adding DL's post with the link to the study:

If you are part of the Covid Symptoms study group (primarily UK) you may well be invited to have an antibody test.....post both vaccines. Free of charge.

The study was initially set up to gather information regarding COVID symptoms ( as the name implies) but has now moved on to gather information on all things vaccines...

and still looking for more volunteers - see attached

covid.joinzoe.com/vaccines

[MamaBeagle]

👍✔️😊

[SheffieldJane]

I like the sound of your mother. ♥️

[whitefishbay]

Good advice, as always. The one thing we have learned through C19 is patience...well most of us.

[HeronNS in reply to whitefishbay]

That would be amusing if we hadn't already attained our degree in patience thanks to PMR!

[whitefishbay in reply to HeronNS]

Absolutely.

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

If you are part of the Covid Symptoms study group (primarily UK) you may well be invited to have an antibody test.....post both vaccines. Free of charge.

The study was initially set up to gather information regarding COVID symptoms ( as the name implies) but has now moved on to gather information on all things vaccines...

and still looking for more volunteers - see attached

covid.joinzoe.com/vaccines

[Smokygirl]

I was surprised that she did her antibody test before she had had her second vaccination. A bit silly IMHO! She obviously doesn’t read the instructions or do any research. Not impressed!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Smokygirl]

She would still have been only a sample of 1 ... The information as far as is known is there though

[HeronNS in reply to Smokygirl]

The study I'm supposed to be part of (if the promised kit ever arrives) is going to require two samples. I let them know I'd had my first vaccination (Pfizer) and they said all I would need to do is note that fact. I believe there are thousands, maybe tens of thousands, involved in this particular study and presumably they will eventually crunch numbers to get some idea about how different situations affect the results.

[Smokygirl in reply to HeronNS]

How interesting! I suppose they need to know some data re antibodies after the first dose. Excellent that they are getting two samples off you!

However if one chooses to pay for it then the sensible thing to do is follow the instructions and do it three weeks after the second!

[Pixix]

Thanks for posting this! I feel like my patience is wearing a tad thin these days! I nearly joined a study group but you had to go to a large local hospital quite frequently and it’s in a city which always has inflated numbers of cases. Think it’s safer to stay at home, sad as I’d like to help. S x

[christine2715]

I did not pay anything for my test. My consultant suggested I phone my GP and they arranged the test. My feeling is that it might give me peace of mind to decide to do things like hug m y daughter - otherwise I would feel I would have to continue with semi shielding. Thanks for your reply and good wishes.