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Antibody Test Results

32 replies

Yellow85 · 20/09/2021 11:48

Just wondering if anyone has done an antibody test recently (the one ordered through gov.uk) and how long your results took?

I did one about six months ago and I’m sure the result came back in 2 days. This time it’s been 5 days and nothing back yet….

OP posts:
Ekofisk · 20/09/2021 12:19

Mine kit has just arrived - is it painful to do? Just looked at the collection vial and it seems like quite a big sample!

Yellow85 · 20/09/2021 12:20

Nah not at all. The trick is to be well hydrated and warm your hand beforehand! If you do that, you’ll be surprised how quickly you can fill the tube!

Also do it on the outer edge of your fingertip!

OP posts:
Ekofisk · 20/09/2021 12:31

Thanks! Was having a Tony Hancock / The Blood Donor moment there.

Ilovewillow · 20/09/2021 12:40

I did one last Wednesday (15th) and got the results yesterday (19th).

Yellow85 · 20/09/2021 12:45

Thanks @Ilovewillow hoping mine come today then.

OP posts:
PeppermintMocha · 20/09/2021 12:54

have you been asked by the gov to do another one?

I did the gov one a few months ago, the one that you could get if you were eligible because you were part of the Zoe app. Results came the next day. Only determines if you have antibodies from infections, not vaxx.

Can I apply for another one to see if anything has changed?
Have the updated the tests to include measuring antibodies from vaccination?

Yellow85 · 20/09/2021 13:20

No the test is just the same - I.e. only looks for antibodies from infection. I applied again as I no longer wfh, had to wait a bit for my eligibility to be checked but eventually got offered another one.

OP posts:
Ekofisk · 20/09/2021 14:42

I was offered one because I had a positive PCR test last week.

Abraxan · 20/09/2021 19:28

Dd posted an antibody test on Saturday morning. Results came back today.

Interestingly this time round the results say that the antibodies may come from virus or vaccines. When we did them in May they were only reporting virus acquired antibodies.

Abraxan · 20/09/2021 19:29

Dd just applied to do a second. A few days later they sent her the email to confirm where to send it.

Yellow85 · 21/09/2021 09:58

I know the test you are offered after PCR test for vaccine antibodies too, but the one direct from gov.uk still states:

The test you get after a positive PCR test can detect antibodies made after vaccination or infection but other tests will only look for antibodies made after you have had the virus.

OP posts:
Sprostongreen21 · 21/09/2021 10:01

Mine took a week for results which was last Friday. Mine said it was tested for infection only. Negative too.

Yellow85 · 21/09/2021 11:19

Results came back today, positive for antibodies. But says it could be from infection of vaccination.

Not really sure what the point of the test is then?

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PeppermintMocha · 21/09/2021 12:23

oh that's good, sounds like the gov one might be changing for some people then and showing antibodies from either infection or vaccination.

I think that's the point - it shows that you have antibodies, which is what matters, regardless of source. Other people might want to know if they had the infection specifically, in which case the first test was more helpful. I didn't have the infection, so the first test gave me no clue whether I had any antibodies at all.

maybe I should reapply one of these days and see if I'd be eligible to do it again

Yellow85 · 21/09/2021 12:26

Different stories I suppose. It’ll give people comfort that the antibodies are there from their vaccine, but for me I know I’ve had the vaccine and trusted I had antibodies. I wanted to know specifically if I had had covid.

I assume the labs are using the samples to actually quantify the antibody levels - I.e. whether they’re high/low

OP posts:
PeppermintMocha · 21/09/2021 14:32

yeah that's a shame then that they changed the test for you. Wish they'd specify somehow, so that people would know which one they were getting! I wonder how they decide or if it's just random.

anyone else done a government antibody test recently - not the ones after a positive PCR, but the ones you apply for because you're in a study, on the zoe app, etc., and which test did you get? How recently did you apply?

Erictheavocado · 21/09/2021 17:01

I applied last week via the ZOE app. Test kit arrived yesterday. Planning to test tomorrow after work. Interesting to have an idea of how long the results will take.

Keepawatch · 21/09/2021 19:04

I recently did one through Zoe, results came back this week taking 12 days from posting. It says I have antibodies from Covid infection in the last 6 months. I had Covid 10 months ago.

ShellieEllie · 23/09/2021 21:07

I've done 2 and a 3rd is on it's way to me. The first I did through Zoe and actually had Covid when it arrived so didn't do it until a week after positive test. Result came back 3 days later - negative. The Government one that was sent to me got really delayed in the post and so I didn't get it until 2 weeks after positive test. Waited almost a week for the results but this time there were antibodies.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 23/09/2021 21:09

Took about 5 days .

MrsFezziwig · 23/09/2021 22:29

I’m in a research study so probably not what you are interested in. Last November I had an antibody test where you have a blood sample taken at a clinic - negative. This was repeated in April - positive for antibodies from both the vaccine (one dose) and the virus (which came as a massive surprise to me).

Since then I’ve been doing finger prick antibody tests once a month, all have been positive for antibodies from both virus and vaccine.

The tests were supposed to be for six months but they’ve just asked me to continue doing them for another six months. It’s all very interesting.

MrsFezziwig · 23/09/2021 22:32

Oh and mainly my results only take a day or two to come back, but one from a few weeks ago took over a week. It was about the time when everyone was being pinged so I assumed it must be because staff were isolating.

bigyellowtractorface · 23/09/2021 22:37

Some people's vaccine antibodies could be waning, so useful to know. I had my first vaccine back in Jan so would love to be assured I still have antibodies

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 23/09/2021 22:45

@bigyellowtractorface

Some people's vaccine antibodies could be waning, so useful to know. I had my first vaccine back in Jan so would love to be assured I still have antibodies
You can have a test from the Zoe app, just download it.

We are part of the ONS too, we were jabbed in June and still have antibodies at the moment.

shalalala · 23/09/2021 22:57

Hi. How do I get an antibody test from the Zoe app please? Thank you