Antibody test recommendations?

[Stealhsquirrelnutkin]

I have several auto-immune conditions and other health issues that might interfere with my capacity to build immunity in response to the vaccine. I'm worried that I might be one of the unlucky few who don't get the full 85-90% of post vaccine protection.

I had my second AstraZeneca jab yesterday and was hoping for some side effects to convince me that it was having an effect, but there's nothing so far. If I hadn't watched the needle glide in I wouldn't even know that it had been done.

The first jab was equally side effect free, it took two days before I could feel a slight warmth and tenderness when I pressed down firmly on the site of the injection, and that was the only reaction. I know there isn't necessarily any correlation between side effects and vaccine response, but some discernible reaction would have been psychologically reassuring.

So I've been thinking that in a fortnight's time I'm going to buy an antibody test, hoping that the result will come back showing a decent level of antibodies so that I can feel confident enough to return to a more normal life.

Does anyone have any experience of buying a test? I thought it would be just a simple finger prick, but there's a little vial that you have to fill by milking your finger and I'm wondering just how big that vial is, and how long it takes to fill it to the marker? Was it difficult? Do you regret doing the test or did you find the results reassuring? Which one did you buy? The local chemist sells them for £50, but I don't know if some tests are better than others. So if you have experience of doing one, or know someone else who did please chime in.
I'm off to bed now, but will check back tomorrow afternoon.

Following as I have auto immune and also worried about this

Jumping on to hopefully find the answer too. £50 is not a bad price to pay for that assurance.

Can I ask though, the efficacy rate is an average so when they say for example 85%, is that made up of the majority have 100% and a few only 10%?

Can I ask though, the efficacy rate is an average so when they say for example 85%, is that made up of the majority have 100% and a few only 10%?

Someone asked that question on one of the recent Indie Sage videos, and the reply was that while people with healthy immune systems would get high levels of protection there will always be some people whose immune systems are compromised, who do not make antibodies and will remain as vulnerable as if they hadn't been vaccinated.

I bought an antibody test as we are convinced that the PCR test that DS (16yo) did last year gave a false negative result. He had identical symptoms at the time to DD who tested positive and has for the last six months seemed to be suffering from long Covid.

I bought this one online and it was very easy to do. The amount of blood you need to collect is tiny compared to the amount they test your hemoglobin levels when you give blood (if you've ever done that). Only really a couple of drops though it's best if your hands are warm as that helps with blood flow.

Anyway it showed that antibodies were present in DS and he's still a long way off being well

Yes, I used Biocard, they test specifically for the spike protein from SARS-COV-2.

covid19biocard.co.uk/

Sorry pressed 'send' too soon! The tiny tube can still look quite 'big' when you come to filling it. The Biocard site has a video to explain how to take blood. Make sure you are well-hydrated and warm, do a bit of physical activity before to get your blood pumping. You need quite a few drops to fill the tube but there's no need to rush it, just take your time.

I am very glad I took the test, as I hadn't even known I'd had Covid. My partner had it and I thought I just missed out getting it. Biocard will also give you the level of antibodies you have, on a scale from 0.1 (very weak) to 5 (very strong). That's quite handy to know.

Whichever test you eventually go for, make sure they are specific for the spike protein.

I have auto immune and was concerned about this. I have been on a research thing for UCL called VirusWatch for about a year. In February they asked me to do monthly antibody tests. The first test was 6 weeks after my first AZ vaccine and was negative. However at ten weeks it was positive. The test is the same as the Biocard but they don't give a percentage.
I have considered doing one of those as well for the percentage but decided that mentally I am better off just knowing I have antibodies.

I have been following a US website called Creaky Joints who publish data on auto immune patients. There was some research that said it was not so much the auto immune condition that affected vaccine response but the drugs taken. Steroids and methotrexate being the worst offenders.

it showed that antibodies were present in DS and he's still a long way off being well

Sorry to hear that he is still unwell. Paying for the antibody test after what you suspected was a false negative PCR result was the right choice, it's bad enough being chronically ill, at least now you know the reason for it.

covid19biocard.co.uk/

Thanks Crunchie that's reassuring information about the size of the collection tube. The website had some interesting information. I hadn't realised that there are different antibody tests, some like this one www.testingforall.org/product/covid-19-home-antibody-test/ that only tests for a response to having been infected by the live virus and won't show an immune response to vaccination, while others test for both. Considering how much the tests cost I want to buy one that also shows the amount of antibodies found, so I can see if the response has been strong, medium, weak or non existent.

Most of the kits seem to recommend waiting 2-3 weeks post vaccination before doing the test, but I spotted this advice for immunocompromised patients www.testingforall.org/product/covid-19-immunity-tracker/

For immunocompromised patients, we currently recommend testing 6 weeks after vaccination. Our clinical team continues to monitor the situation closely and we will update with most up to date advice.

Someone posted that the AstraZeneca vaccine takes longer to build to full effect compared to the Pfizer and Moderna shots, and that it although it seems to give lower immunity at 6 weeks after vaccination this continues to climb and after 12 weeks it gives the same levels of protection. So now, having decided to wait 6 weeks instead of 2 or 3, I am wondering if I have the patience to wait another 12 weeks, or if I should just do it in six weeks and cough up another 50 quid to do it again if the first result is in the low or non existent range?

Thanks Kyph creaky joints site is informative.
creakyjoints.org/living-with-arthritis/coronavirus/covid-19-vaccines/antibody-testing-covid-19-vaccine-immunocompromised/

I have auto immune conditions and am part of the ONS study so (thankfully) get monthly antibody tests.

I was really worried about gaining immunity, but am very relieved that I tested positive 10 weeks after my first vaccine.

I don;t know about private tests but hope the fact that my ridiculous immune system did what it ought to be doing is some reassurance.

I don;t know about private tests but hope the fact that my ridiculous immune system did what it ought to be doing is some reassurance.

Yes it is, thanks for posting. I'm one of those people who feels better when I am better informed. Hate guessing and worrying without having all the facts.

Following too for my mum who has autoimmune conditions too.