General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsQuestion about Covid antibodies,
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
(2,520 posts)viva la
(3,312 posts)When it was hard to get a pcr test. It was $75.
FBaggins
(26,754 posts)But you should know that its 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 its currently doing it)
There are experts who disagree about the booster at this time (two senior officials just resigned over it). I dont know who is right, but Im pretty sure that an antibody test result isnt going to make me more equipped to judge.
Im willing to participate in a policy debate, but Im going to have to go with what my doctors say for my own personal care. Thats what I pay them for.
Phoenix61
(17,009 posts)Thats one of the reasons there are questions about when to give boosters.
LymphocyteLover
(5,649 posts)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
(17,009 posts)Thats why they are pushing boosters. Titer testing for chicken pox is available from Quest Labs which is a pretty standard lab.
LymphocyteLover
(5,649 posts)Scrivener7
(50,989 posts)copay for the checkup.
gab13by13
(21,378 posts)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
(1,023 posts)They would have the answer youre looking for. Were just a bunch of folks just trying to help you out.
gab13by13
(21,378 posts)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
(111,106 posts)I was thinking something similar.
obamanut2012
(26,094 posts)gab13by13
(21,378 posts)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
(21,378 posts)Why don't we have a person in charge of the FDA yet?
gab13by13
(21,378 posts)antibody testing is covered by Medicare.