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Original poster

Does anyone know how to read the test result?

39 replies

poppyzbrite4 · 26/02/2021 21:54

I was tested to see if I'd had Covid. The test results are back but have no idea what any of it means.

It says it's an anti sars cov 2 IGM/IGG Result is NA

It doesn't tell me if it's positive or negative. Does that mean the test has failed for some reason or is this normal and means I haven't had it? I have no idea. I assumed it would read 'positive' or 'negative.'

OP posts:
Lynora · 26/02/2021 21:57

I think it means it was void. You need to do another one.

Original poster
poppyzbrite4 · 26/02/2021 22:01

But it doesn't say it's void. It says 'Normal' No Action under comments. If a blood test is void, it normally says something like incorrect sample.

OP posts:
mnahmnah · 26/02/2021 22:04

Strange! This is the email I got. DH had the same with several tests.

Does anyone know how to read the test result?
RoseWineTime · 26/02/2021 22:09

Was that an antibody test?

Original poster
poppyzbrite4 · 26/02/2021 22:10

@mnahmnah

Strange! This is the email I got. DH had the same with several tests.
Thank you for posting that, I appreciate you taking the time. I believe that's a saliva test to see if you actually had the virus. Mine is to see if I've had it, it was a blood test at my GP to see if I have the antibodies (I believe, as I could be wrong). The info I'm looking at is my patient access account, which is linked to my GP.
OP posts:
Original poster
poppyzbrite4 · 26/02/2021 22:11

@RoseWineTime

Was that an antibody test?
Yes, that's right.
OP posts:
GingerBiscuit21 · 26/02/2021 22:13

I had the blood test antibodies test. I believe your result means no presence of antibodies were found.

Original poster
poppyzbrite4 · 26/02/2021 22:17

@GingerBiscuit21

I had the blood test antibodies test. I believe your result means no presence of antibodies were found.
I hope so, as going back to the GP for another blood test is a major kerfuffle. Thank you. I hope yours was negative. I'll contact the Dr next week to check.
OP posts:
CrunchyCarrot · 26/02/2021 22:17

Hmmm I'd say you are negative, if it says 'normal no action'. But it's not very clear, is it!

CrunchyCarrot · 26/02/2021 22:19

By the way, you can do a Covid Antibody test at home via a BioCard finger prick blood test. Of course it isn't free, but the results are clear.

covid19biocard.co.uk/

Original poster
poppyzbrite4 · 26/02/2021 22:20

@CrunchyCarrot

Hmmm I'd say you are negative, if it says 'normal no action'. But it's not very clear, is it!
I know!!! I'm in a state of flux. That's just what the 'Comments' say, so I've no idea if that means it's negative or not. I do know that I had a blood test that was void before, and it just 'void sample' and the Dr told me that they had put the blood into the wrong sample bottle or such.
OP posts:
Original poster
poppyzbrite4 · 26/02/2021 22:21

[quote CrunchyCarrot]By the way, you can do a Covid Antibody test at home via a BioCard finger prick blood test. Of course it isn't free, but the results are clear.

covid19biocard.co.uk/[/quote]
That's good to know, thanks. I'll wait until I speak to the Dr and see what she says.

OP posts:
JanFebAnyMonth · 26/02/2021 22:27

Definitely sounds like the antibody test, here's government info on it, but it says the result can be Positive, Negative or Void.

So I don't know what NA means!

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-antibody-tests/coronavirus-covid-19-antibody-tests#what-to-do-when-you-get-your-result

Original poster
poppyzbrite4 · 26/02/2021 22:30

[quote JanFebAnyMonth]Definitely sounds like the antibody test, here's government info on it, but it says the result can be Positive, Negative or Void.

So I don't know what NA means!

www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-antibody-tests/coronavirus-covid-19-antibody-tests#what-to-do-when-you-get-your-result[/quote]
Wow! Thank you. I'll take a look at this.

Positive/negative/void was exactly what I expected to see not NA. It would say 'Void' in the comments if the test was void for any reason.

OP posts:
CrunchyCarrot · 26/02/2021 22:31

Unless 'NA' means 'Negative Antibodies' ??

They could just say Negative, surely!!

Original poster
poppyzbrite4 · 26/02/2021 22:36

@CrunchyCarrot

Unless 'NA' means 'Negative Antibodies' ??

They could just say Negative, surely!!

Exactly! I'm going to check again:

This is exactly what it says.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG Result N/A Normal Range N/A

Clinical Comment N/A N/A

Then there's a box called 'Comments' and it says: Normal - No Action

Which is assume means that it's negative. But it's a convoluted way of telling me that.

OP posts:
Cloudyrainsham · 26/02/2021 22:38

It’s an antibody test

IGm means recent infection, IGG means past infection

Does anyone know how to read the test result?
CrunchyCarrot · 26/02/2021 22:38

Yikes. They really need to work on their communication skills! The BioCard result (for a positive result) says the following:

Positive Result

We can confirm that COVID-19 specific Antibodies against SARS-COV-2 – WERE DETECTED.

Crystal clear!

Original poster
poppyzbrite4 · 26/02/2021 22:40

@Cloudyrainsham

It’s an antibody test

IGm means recent infection, IGG means past infection

That's very useful, thank you.
OP posts:
Cloudyrainsham · 26/02/2021 22:40

Why would you want an antibody test to be negative?

Original poster
poppyzbrite4 · 26/02/2021 22:41

@CrunchyCarrot

Yikes. They really need to work on their communication skills! The BioCard result (for a positive result) says the following:

Positive Result

We can confirm that COVID-19 specific Antibodies against SARS-COV-2 – WERE DETECTED.

Crystal clear!

I hope that wasn't your result. Sorry to hear, if so. But yes, that's what I expected too.
OP posts:
Original poster
poppyzbrite4 · 26/02/2021 22:42

@Cloudyrainsham

Why would you want an antibody test to be negative?
Because I don't want to have had Covid.
OP posts:
RoseWineTime · 26/02/2021 22:43

I wonder if a D was omitted and it should have been NAD - Nothing Abnormal Detected?

Original poster
poppyzbrite4 · 26/02/2021 22:44

@RoseWineTime

I wonder if a D was omitted and it should have been NAD - Nothing Abnormal Detected?
Maybe. Good point.
OP posts:
Needcoffeecoffeecoffee · 26/02/2021 22:47

But if you have antibodies thats a good thing isnt it??
And if you have had covid and didnt realise you obviously weren't I'll with it?
I'm confused about what you wanted the test to say