Got my private Covid antibody test result

[vivdunstan]

Just got my Covid antibody result, from yesterday’s pin prick blood sample that I returned in the post. A very clear positive, which given half people on my immunosuppression drugs don’t show antibodies even after vaccine 2 (which I’ve had, 3 weeks ago yesterday, AstraZeneca) is encouraging. It doesn’t show how much protection I have, or how long lasting. But is a good sign I think. I paid for a private antibody test from Medichecks. These aren’t cheap, but if I could be tested I really wanted to be, to get a number. I’m quite sciencey! A positive result for my test for the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is over 0.8 U/ml. I have 16.4 U/ml. To put that in perspective past Covid patients who were asked to donate plasma had a result of over 62 U/ml. So I’m much lower, but encouraged, again given how poor the response of patients on my drugs can be. I’m on 2g Mycophenolate Mofetil and 7mg Prednisolone suppressing my immune system every day. I still plan on effectively shielding though! I have primary cerebral vasculitis, since 1994.

Note a negative result doesn’t mean there is no protection. An antibody test isn’t necessary, nor would it be right for everyone. There are lower cost private tests out there too. Mine usually costs £69 but I got a slight discount. But I really wanted to know my numbers, and I could afford this. There’s still a huge need for me to be ultra careful.

[vivdunstan Volunteer]

Some specific groups of the UK population can get free antibody tests through the NHS. See this page for information. But it is a restricted subsection of the population. Also I don't know how full the information would be on your results afterwards, if you take one of these tests.

gov.uk/register-coronavirus...

[Chris-Bromsgrove]

That's interesting information on the level of immune response to the vaccine. It's the first I've seen for an immunosupressed person. It's good to know that you have had at least some immune response. I'm also on Mycophenolate and I was thinking about paying for the same test. However I have just been offered a free test by the Covidence study group which I participate in. Just waiting for it to arrive. It does seem to support the argument that we might benefit from a third shot of vaccine.

[ANCAShock]

Seems to me that the only people getting antibody tests on the NHS are those in trials and I haven't been chosen. I registered twice. I'vde been told there is no point in being tested privately as I had low IGGs and high proteinuria so unlikley to pick up positive. The chances are that I have ability to produce antibodies again to covid but that aspect cannot be measured. There is some talk of measuring other antibodies for which I have had a vaccine - eg pneumonia, as an indication of retained immunity but immunology dept have to agree and fund (how likley is that?)

[Kenw28]

I also have taken a private test using Medichecks. Received results today. Test done on the 24th may.I have had 2 Pfizer jabs, 2nd 28th April.

I have MPA vasculitus,

Currently on 2g mycophenolate and at the time of the jab 2mg prednisolone (just dropped to 1mg). Plus other pills for blood pressure, heart rate and cholesterol

Test results were negative for the covid antibodies.

[vivdunstan Volunteer in reply to Kenw28]

Many thanks. Yes a recent US medical study showed only 54% of organ transplant patients on our types of drugs including Myco show antibodies after vaccine 2. So it is a case of half with and half nit.

However on plus it’s likely you will have some other protection, including T Cell response. So measured antibodies are just part of the equation.

[PaddyPop in reply to Kenw28]

Sorry came late to this party!Are you sure they tested for the vaccine response and not just if you’d had covid - there are two different tests?