….Result

[skytortoise]

Hi everyone,

Three doses of vaccine, two negative antibody results. But - just got a text about my NHS test. “ Antibodies were identified in your blood sample”. No idea what level, it does not say, but it is a good result I think.

[MickUK]

Good news! Any antibodies are better than no antibodies.....

[KrisBren01]

That is great news. Very happy for you. Stay Safe. Sue

[Floxxy]

Brilliant.

[PaulaS Volunteer]

Hi Skytortoise, Great that you've got some antibodies now!

When you got the two negative results earlier, were they done before you'd had all 3 vaccinations?

I know we can't rely on presence of antibodies to keep us safe, but I can't help wanting to know if I've produced any, after my 3 jabs. I don't think the NHS will do the test for me, so I'm thinking of ordering one online.

Not sure which company would be best, and exactly what tests to ask for...

Paula

[skytortoise in reply to PaulaS]

Hi Paula, I had a test after my first dose, then after my second dose, both negative. This one after my third ‘primary dose’ ( it’s the same as the ‘booster’ in reality). My first 2 tests were purchased from Lloyds Online pharmacy. Good luck !

[PaulaS Volunteer in reply to skytortoise]

Thanks Skytortoise

[Strech51]

That's great has many of us get "no antibodies " even after 3 doses.

Regards Steve

[Eucalyptus22]

I don't want to burst your happiness bubble but I got the same result from the NHS covid cancer antibody test. Then one week later I had exactly the same test done by Testing for All (Roche testing platform) which returned No Antibodies Detected!! Can't begin to tell you how disappointed I felt.The kicker is that the NHS have put on my health records that I have antibodies.

Spoke to my GP and sent him the certificate from Testing for All and he has added that to my records.

The problem with the NHS test is that it doesn't tell me or my GP what the antibody level was that produced a positive response.

When you then go on to read about Regeneron being given to people who have a positive covid test plus no antibodies I felt I couldn't leave that positive test unchallenged.

[skytortoise in reply to Eucalyptus22]

Thanks for the info. I will keep on being a glass half full, but act like it’s empty in respect of the virus. Freddie

[PaulaS Volunteer in reply to Eucalyptus22]

O dear, this is very disturbing, Eucalyptus22 It looks like a no-win situation. We hope to test positive for antibodies if we really do have them. But as you say, if it's a false positive it could stop us getting Regeneron when we might desperately need it...

Do you know if it's exactly the same sort of test that was done by both "Testing for ALL" and by the NHS? If you weren't given actual numbers, I suppose it could be that yours was a bit borderline and they have different ranges for positive and negative?

I'm still in two minds about getting an antibody test done privately..

Paula

[Eucalyptus22 in reply to PaulaS]

Hi Paula. I emailed the NHS Covid cancer test centre and this is what they replied

"The national covid testing laboratories uses the Roche Anti-SARS-CoV-2 test. The test measures SARS-CoV-2 N and SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibodies . These are antibodies that are made in response to infection or following vaccination. Studies by the manufacturer have found that this test has a 99.5% sensitivity and a 99.8% specificity."

This is exactly the same test that I had done privately one week later through Testing for All.

I have emailed them back to ask for more details on my actual result. I explained the difference between the two tests.

Let's see what they say. But in meantime, I think its dangerous to believe we have any real antibodies from the NHS antibody test.

[skytortoise in reply to Eucalyptus22]

Would you mind giving me the email address please? Freddie

[Eucalyptus22 in reply to skytortoise]

covidcancersurvey.uk/contac..., this is the address I used. Google it and go to the contact page. Send message that way. Give them your email address and they will reply.

[PaulaS Volunteer in reply to Eucalyptus22]

Thanks Eucalyptus. As you say, it will be very interesting to see how they reply to you...

Paula

[LeoPa]

Better some than none. Nevertheless keep acting like you got none.

[richutchens]

Great news. I’ve had all 3 shots months ago and 2 antibody tests. Both were negative. 3rd time a charm?

[PaulaS Volunteer]

I’ve just been to the Testing for All website and read the many FAQs. A few of them jumped out at me.

1) Immuno-compromised people should wait a full 6 weeks after vaccinations before testing, to give more time for antibodies to be produced. (Other people only need wait 3 weeks).

2) It’s best not to have high levels of Biotin in one’s blood, or it can affect the tests. (Though it seems that it’s only VERY high biotin levels that will make a difference).

3) Blood samples may become hemolyzed (spoiled), if the puncture site is massaged too hard.

Eucalyptus22 , I suspect that in your case, number one will not be relevant, as it was your second test that was negative for antibodies, not your earlier one.

Number two would only be relevant for people taking high doses of Biotin.

Number three is definitely relevant to me, as I always have to squeeze hard to get enough blood from my fingers for home tests.

Anyway, I thought I’d mention these things here, as something for other people to bear in mind if they’re considering getting antibodies tested.

Wait 6 weeks after the jab before testing.

Stop Biotin for a week before.

Don't squeeze too hard when getting blood from your fingers!

Paula

[Eucalyptus22]

Paula, Thank you for this. I missed that information. I am on Biotin!!. Will stop it immediately and get retested in a few weeks. Fingers crossed.