Question about Covid antibodies,

[gab13by13]

I'm scheduled for my routine annual blood work. Why not include a check for Covid antibodies? Why not have insurance cover this it would help in making a decision about getting a Covid booster shot.

I am going to call and ask my doctor if this is possible. Just a thought.

[Throck]

1. What's the cost of the test outright?

[viva la]

4. I had one bloodtest back in 2020

When it was hard to get a pcr test. It was $75.

[Goonch]

2. ;-{)

[FBaggins]

3. That might very will be an option

But you should know that it’s a more complex evaluation than just some number. There are people who never got vaccinated yet have high antibody counts due to a prior infection… but the advice is still to get vaccinated. Similarly, not all forms of immunity necessarily show up well on that test (you care more about whether your immune system knows how to create antibodies, than about whether it’s currently doing it)

There are experts who disagree about the booster at this time (two senior officials just resigned over it). I don’t know who is right, but I’m pretty sure that an antibody test result isn’t going to make me more equipped to judge.

I’m willing to participate in a policy debate, but I’m going to have to go with what my doctors say for my own personal care. That’s what I pay them for.

[Phoenix61]

5. They don't know what level indicates immunity.

That’s one of the reasons there are questions about when to give boosters.

[LymphocyteLover]

9. they do have an idea on the level and can also measure titers of neutralizing antibodies

but these are specialty tests used in research and not widely available for clinical use.

There are studies where they have shown the level of neutralizing antibody correlates well with immunity.

[Phoenix61]

12. There isn't an accepted titer standard for covid.

That’s why they are pushing boosters. Titer testing for chicken pox is available from Quest Labs which is a pretty standard lab.

[LymphocyteLover]

17. Yes, not in a clinically meaningful way.

[Scrivener7]

6. I had a checkup in February and they checked for antibodies. I didn't pay more than my

copay for the checkup.

[gab13by13]

7. Well this didn't help at all.

I take it that when to get a booster shot is just a guessing game then if it isn't based on antibodies.

Thanks for more confusion.

[peacefreak2.0]

8. Why don't you give your provider a call.

They would have the answer you’re looking for. We’re just a bunch of folks just trying to help you out.

[gab13by13]

13. I just called,

and my doctor is off today but I did learn that an antibody test can be done in conjunction with my regular blood work. Doctor will get back to me tomorrow about my question.

[kentuck]

10. Good question.

I was thinking something similar.

[obamanut2012]

11. My doctor does now include it in annual bloodwork

[gab13by13]

14. That's all I was getting at.

I will tell my doctor do include it with my regular blood work then. If it has no use in determining when to get a booster shot so be it, at least I will have that information.

[gab13by13]

15. Another question?

Why don't we have a person in charge of the FDA yet?

[gab13by13]

16. According to the Google machine,

antibody testing is covered by Medicare.

[LymphocyteLover]

18. Somewhat off topic but this new monoclonal therapy sounds really promising

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2021/9/6/2049847/-There-is-an-antibody-treatment-that-stops-every-COVID-19-variant-and-possibly-all-future-variants?detail=emaildkre