Anyone had the antibody test?

[elliejjtiny]

Just wondering. I've been chosen at random to have a covid antibody test so the nhs can get a rough idea of how many people have antibodies. My test probably won't make any difference but I feel like I'm doing a very tiny bit to help.

[cptartapp]

I tested positive through work (NHS primary care) in June.
God knows when I had it, although initially working without ppe for several weeks and seeing patients face to face throughout all this might have something to do with it.

[shellysheridan]

I've had the letter through too. I think I had it in March so will be very interested by the results

[rookiemere]

DH and I both paid for one as thought we'd had it back in March. Both antibody tests came back negative which we were surprised about.

[zippityzip]

Mine was paid for through work. Absolutely certain it would come back positive. It was negative.
Although I've since been told by a GP that the antibody test only tests for one protein when there are actually four so false negatives are very very common. Seems like an expensive waste of time really if that's the case.

[NaughtipussMaximus]

Yeah, I was chosen randomly in an earlier phase of that trial, in June. Negative, unfortunately!

[Cookerhood]

I think it's more that quite a high percentage don't make antibodies, or they don't last. I beleive some people clear it with T cells?

[JellyBelly78]

I got a letter today too, don’t think I’ve had it but with two children at school who knows.

[Cookerhood]

And actually, it's nonsense about only one protein being tested for -maybe that's true for some antigen tests, but the antibody tests are looking for specific antibodies (which are also proteins!).

[Bluejewel]

Yes , I was randomly chosen - thought I’d had it in late February with chest issues for a couple of months after - but was negative . My husband has just had one for work and we are curious to see what his says

[LarkDescending]

I had an antibody test in July (after Covid in March). I still had a high enough level of antibodies to be accepted as a convalescent plasma donor - though in the end I am ineligible to donate for other reasons.

[PinkFondantFancy]

I'm certain I had covid but mine came back negative. Could be t cell immunity though

[LarkDescending]

NB the offered tests are I think likely to generate a yes/no answer (i.e. positive or negative for antibodies) rather than a level, which is only relevant in donation or certain research contexts. I could be wrong though.

[PineappleUpsideDownCake]

I so wanted one. But coildnt part with 90£ when its not 100%

[NoGoodPunsLeft]

MIL did, tested negative. She was disappointed but she is retired and barely goes anywhere so it wasn't a surprise.

Friend's husband did & was positive. the whole family was ill back in March /april but he had it the mildest. Still had antibodies when tested again 2 months later

[NoGoodPunsLeft]

I wish DD could have it, she has the classic symptoms a week before schools shut but we.might never know if it was IT unfortunately

[Dadnotamum72]

@LarkDescending

I had an antibody test in July (after Covid in March). I still had a high enough level of antibodies to be accepted as a convalescent plasma donor - though in the end I am ineligible to donate for other reasons.

Do you get told how many antibodies in number terms if you have them? Ie how high

[BabyStarling]

I’ve had two via a study being conducted at work - both negative, though I thought I’d had Covid in March. But I know some people don’t make antibodies and even if you do they often don’t last.

[PolytheneHam]

Ive had it. I'm front line NHS but was on mat leave during the first wave. Negative.

[niceupthedance]

27 people in my workplace were tested and 10 were antibody positive. I thought it would be higher as we were all ill at the same time.

[Eaumyword]

I did under random selection in September. Really easy to do, came up negative but I was expecting that.
It was a finger prick test onto what looks like a pregnancy test. Didn't say how many/few antibodies, just positive or negative.

[AwkwardSquad]

Same as Eaumyword, random selection in September, came up negative. Easy enough to do and probably the most interesting thing that had happened for me in weeks 😂

[EmpressJKRowlingSpartacus]

I had a letter today & registered. It emphasised that the result might be wrong but I’m still interested. I live & work in London & get the tube several times a week so I could have had it without noticing.

It also said that not everyone who’s asked actually gets picked though, so I’m hoping I do.

[Torvean32]

Good on all of you taking part. It all helps.

[ChalkDinosaur]

Yep, I took part in the study. Negative (as expected, but would have been a nice surprise to have some antibodies!)

[PotholePalace]

Had the virus mildly at the very end of March (dp was hospitalised with it). Had the antibody test in September, still had antibodies.