Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Covid

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Covid antibody test via ZOE

75 replies

FlatteredFool · 05/07/2021 13:15

Hi, I had an email from ZOE offering me a covid antibody test. I've been accepted as suitable (it's not on offer for everyone) and my finger prick test will arrive in 5 days. I'll be really interested to see the results as I was ill with a bad chest in feb/March/April 2020 and have had 5 courses of steroids since then for recurrent asthma exacerbations which I've never had before at such a rate. My chest hasn't recovered fully since then and I've got a chest X-ray booked for the end of the week to see if anything shows in there.
Has anyone had their antibodies checked via ZOE or any other way?

OP posts:
Lakeshore6 · 05/07/2021 23:30

I did my antibody test just after my 10 day isolation after being positive. The results said it was u likely I had covid in the last 6 months 🤣

Turns out after researching, I took the test too soon. I now have another, 4 weeks after my positive test. Is this enough time since?

SmallestInTheClass · 06/07/2021 10:36

Yes, no antibodies here though. I would recommend doing a lot of swinging your arm in circles and star jumps etc to get the blood moving. I tried with one finger after just soaking my hand in hot water and didn't get nearly enough, then did a couple of minutes of moving around and got enough out of my other finger in less than a minute.

Original poster
FlatteredFool · 08/07/2021 13:27

I'm obviously a bleeder as I had no trouble filling the tube! It probably won't show anything as if o did have covid it was over a year ago now but still it's exciting to my inner research lover. I'd like to find out my antibodies to the vaccine too.

OP posts:
WhatHaveIFound · 08/07/2021 13:33

My antibody test arrived today and i'm very interested in finding out if I have them.

DD had Covid last year and i'd laid down in bed next to her to give her a cuddle as she was feeling ill (none of the 3 main symptoms). It wasn't until later that day she was told she'd been a close contact of someone who'd tested positive and she got a pcr straight away as she works in a nursery.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 08/07/2021 13:52

DH and I did our first one last night as we're part of the ONS trial.

Just to warn you it takes roughly 15 mins to get the amount of blood out- we had NO idea! I got frustrated but I swung my arm round and round , drank some water and pricked my finger at the side NOT in the middle of your 'finger pad.'

We've both got bruises from the pricks but I feel confident it'll be easier next month, last night we were both a bit ' wtf are we doing?'

It'll be interesting to see what the results are as we're sure DH had it last year.

Original poster
FlatteredFool · 08/07/2021 14:44

Mine took about 2 minutes-I was surprised at how quickly the blood flowed.

OP posts:
Ilikewinter · 08/07/2021 14:50

I did one back in February and it came back with antibodies. I was asymptomatic because i had no covid symptoms (or any symptoms of cold etc) since winter 2019.

RunAwayNow · 08/07/2021 17:40

I've done one and have been waiting for my results for a week. Did anyone else's take that long? I'm starting to think I must have done something wrong.

It didn't hurt at all and getting the right amount of blood was very quick. I just couldn't stop it bleeding afterwards!

TheDogsMother · 08/07/2021 17:42

I've done one for Zoe but no antibodies detected. I wasn't surprised as to my knowledge I haven't had Covid. It's a bit tricky to get enough blood out for the tube but afterwards my finger wouldn't stop bleeding !

Lakeshore6 · 08/07/2021 22:32

I just took my second yesterday, it only took two days last time so I expect the results tomorrow roughly.

I also realised I pricked the wrong part of my finger before, so this time was much easier and I filled the tube easier. And I’m not bloody bruised for a week. 😂

CrouchEndTiger12 · 08/07/2021 22:33

Same as you. Bad chest infection March 2020. No antibodies on the test.

TiddleTaddleTat · 08/07/2021 22:35

I've got one arriving soon. Reading these responses I'm not expecting to have antibodies since I think I had it in March 2020 (and have had long covid since)

Runningquestion · 08/07/2021 22:39

Did anyone else have an issue with their blood being too thick to do this properly? I just about managed to get enough in the vial, but then it said to turn it upside down 10 times to mix the blood and that it should cost the vial. But mine just stubbornly sat there and wouldn’t mix or even move at all, like it was solid.

(Came back negative which is no surprise as I had it in Feb 2020 so too long ago for antibodies to show up).

Lakeshore6 · 08/07/2021 22:42

It is meant to solidify anyway but yes, I didn’t get it up and down the sides this time!

BlueAbacus · 09/07/2021 07:03

I had covid in March 2020, and was still testing positive for antibodies in March of this year (have done 4 antibody tests: May 20, Oct 20, Dec 20, Mar 21). I wonder if I had such a strong immune response because I was pregnant when I had covid? I was fascinated with the result each time, and it has made me feel subconsciously a bit ‘safer’ (although have followed all the rules).

itsaccrualworld · 09/07/2021 07:28

I had one. No antibodies.

But if I had Covid, it was February 2020, so longer than 6 months ago.

WhatHaveIFound · 15/07/2021 09:42

Just got my results back and it's POSITIVE for antibodies!

Assuming I caught it from my DC I would have had it in early October though even if I have had it at any time after then I've been completely symptomless.

TiddleTaddleTat · 15/07/2021 13:22

My blood didn't solidify in the sample. How long are people waiting for these? I sent on Tuesday morning and feeling impatient !
And we're results sent by text, email?

WhatHaveIFound · 15/07/2021 14:03

I sent my sample back on Monday and had the result by text & email this morning. I also had a text from my GP surgery hoping that i'm ok after my recent positive Covid test result Confused

Lakeshore6 · 15/07/2021 14:17

I got my results on monday - it took nearly a week this time. I have antibodies now.

ArnoldBee · 15/07/2021 14:22

ONS - Hubby took 30 mins to get his blood out- 2 mins for me. I had the Pfizer vaccines he had AZ both came back with anti bodies :-).

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 15/07/2021 14:24

I'm still waiting for mine!

TiddleTaddleTat · 15/07/2021 14:39

Dammit. No antibodies in mine. I guess it's hardly surprising as it's March 2020 I suspect I had it.

CityDweller · 15/07/2021 14:54

For everyone scaremongering about doing the test, please don’t! It might put people off doing it and it’s important that this data is gathered.

I did one a few days ago. I watched the video and followed the instructions and found the whole thing easy and quick. It really doesn’t hurt that much! Finger a bit bruised afterwards, but really nothing major.

My results came back about 48hrs after I dropped it in the post box.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 15/07/2021 15:49

No one is 'scare mongering' but people should be aware it's not a case of a quick pin prick and Bobs your uncle. You have to get a lot more blood out than I originally thought. If that puts people off ,well, they're not going to be able to do it anyway, are they? Glad you found it easy, we didn't- didn't have a video to watch or instructions other than the ONS lady shouting what to do from the door step !