Covid Jab, antibodies and clots.

[Elbowpiece]

What is the latest advice for us re the Covid Jab. I thought l read that we had produced no antibodies at all leaving the small chance of getting a blood clot as a result of following guidance. I've seen my blood coagulate in the tube, isn't this a risk to far if we don't have antibodies.

[PMRpro]

Covid antibody production in response to a vaccine has no relationship to clotting anyway but the production of antibodies varies from person to person, healthy or immunosuppressed, with a wide range of amount produced. fewer seem to be produced when you are on certain medications - such as corticosteroids - but there are very few that prevent antibody protection altogether. It also isn't only antibody production that is significant in developing protection, there is a longer term form of protection that is based on T and B cells and which isn't measured with the antibody tests. It isn't all about antibodies.

However, it is thought that the clotting mechanism is due to specific antibodies but it is impossible to say whether that is anything to do with the vaccine or not at this stage. It remains the case it is exceedingly rare. And now they know about it, they also know how to treat it.

Blood exposed to air without anticoagulant will always clot - blood clotting in a tube is a normal process unless the tube contains something to stop it. What is in the tube is shown by the colour of the lid - and plain tubes are used when they need to blood to clot to produce serum which doesn't have a particular protein called fibrinogen in it rather than plasma which does.

[Elbowpiece in reply to PMRpro]

Thank you PMRpro l am learning everyday. Much appreciated.

[2534 in reply to PMRpro]

Yes your comments are always really helpful. Thank you