Results
Understanding your test results
- An antibody titre of <25.6 BAU/ml means that no antibodies against the coronavirus have been found in your blood.
- An antibody titre between ≥25.6 to <35.2 BAU/ml indicates a low quantity of antibodies are present in your blood, causing an unclear result.
- An antibody titre ≥35.2 BAU/ml means that your body has produced antibodies against the coronavirus. The higher the value, the higher the number of antibodies.
How results are shared
We understand that blood test results can be confusing. That’s why at Homed-IQ, we make it easy for you to interpret your results and understand what’s going on inside your body.
In your personal online dashboard, you can view your test results and access clear and simple explanations about individual health markers. All test results are verified by our qualified medical team before being sent to you.
The result of your antibody test is shown on a scale from which you can easily see how your results compare to the highest and lowest possible antibody titers.
Scientists are still determining how COVID-19 antibody levels affect immunity and the risk of reinfection. However, it is proven that people with COVID-19 antibodies are less likely to develop another infection than those without these antibodies. The durability of this immunity has yet to be determined. The QuantiVac antibody test allows users to measure their antibody levels at different stages after vaccination, which can be very helpful in getting a better understanding of COVID-19 immunity over time.
How results are shared
We understand that blood test results can be confusing. That’s why at Homed-IQ, we make it easy for you to interpret your results and understand what’s going on inside your body.
In your personal online dashboard, you can view your test results and access clear and simple explanations about individual health markers. All test results are verified by our qualified medical team before being sent to you.
The result of your antibody test is shown on a scale from which you can easily see how your results compare to the highest and lowest possible antibody titers.
Scientists are still determining how COVID-19 antibody levels affect immunity and the risk of reinfection. However, it is proven that people with COVID-19 antibodies are less likely to develop another infection than those without these antibodies. The durability of this immunity has yet to be determined. The QuantiVac antibody test allows users to measure their antibody levels at different stages after vaccination, which can be very helpful in getting a better understanding of COVID-19 immunity over time.
Test Instructions
About the Test
Introduction
When you become infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, your body has a natural defence mechanism, as with all viral infections. In this reaction, your immune system is activated to defend itself against the virus. After an average of 10 to 14 days memory antibodies (IgG) will be produced. While IgA and IgM antibodies disappear from the bloodstream over time, IgG stays in the body longer and ensures that the immune response to the same virus will be much faster and more effective than the first exposure. This means that the immune system can respond immediately and provides protection against the virus.
The strength of the antibody response depends on several factors, including age, disease severity, and certain medications or infections that may suppress the immune system. It can take 2 to 3 weeks for your body to produce antibodies in sufficient quantities to detect them. During vaccination, the immune system is trained to optimize the immune response. The formation of IgG antibodies makes you (possibly) immune to another attack from the same virus. However, it is not yet clear how long protection will last. With this test, we can demonstrate whether and to what extent IgG antibodies are produced in your body after infection with COVID-19 or after vaccination.
About the Test
The COVID-19 Antibody Test is the latest development by EUROIMMUN for the quantitative detection of IgG antibodies against the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). Using a blood sample that is collected from home, the test can detect antibodies against the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19, which would indicate whether a person is or has already been infected or vaccinated and may have developed immunity to the virus. The high specificity of the test is critical to reliably determine whether a person has been exposed to the virus and whether they have developed antibodies.
The COVID-19 Antibody Test measures the quantity of IgG antibodies in the blood. This quantitative assay uses a recombinant S1 subunit of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, allowing for quantitative detection of IgG antibodies. The production of IgG antibodies specifically is the focus for various vaccine developers such as BioNtech/Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.
It should be noted it can take 2 to 3 weeks for your body to produce the correct antibodies in sufficient quantities to detect them. The test is reliable for the detection of IgG antibodies when taken 14 days after the onset of the first symptoms of COVID-19 or 14 days after receiving the second dose of the vaccination.
The Test Process
This test uses Dried Blood Spot (DBS) testing technology to obtain a blood sample. The test kit will be delivered to your home and contains all materials needed to complete the sample. To collect the sample, you must prick yourself using the enclosed disposable lancets and deposit a small quantity of blood onto the paper blood spot card provided. After collecting the sample, send the materials to one of our certified partner laboratories by using the prepaid return envelope. Once the test results are available, they will be reviewed by a doctor and shared with you. All of our tests are CE certified laboratory tests and are absolutely not ‘quick tests’!
How It Works
Order Your Test
Once you have placed your order, your test kit will be delivered within days and in discreet packaging.
Activate & Collect Sample
After online activation of your test kit, you can collect your sample within a few minutes and mail it back to us in the pre-paid envelope.
View Results
A certified laboratory will review your sample and your test results will be available within a matter of days.
Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
- Antibodies are produced as a part of the adaptive immune response.
- Three types of antibodies are produced after infection with SARS-CoV-2: IgA, IgM, and IgG.
- The IgM antibody response been observed in much lower levels than IgA and decreases faster following infection.
- After several days of infection, specific IgG antibodies are produced. IgG is the most crucial antibody as it lasts longer than other antibodies, conferring potential long term immunity.
- Scientists are still trying to understand in what capacity and for how long IgG antibodies offer immunity.
- The EUROIMMUN Anti-SARS-CoV-2 QuantiVac ELISA measures the concentration of IgG antibodies specifically at the S1 domain of the spike protein, including the receptor binding domain (RBD).
- This test offers quantitative results with high sensitivity and specificity, meaning it is capable of determining the numerical concentration of IgG antibodies in a blood sample.
- This is an advancement from previously available antibody tests, which were only able to offer qualitative results regarding the presence of antibodies (yes/no).
- The EUROIMMUN Anti-SARS-CoV-2 QuantiVac Elisa test offers results in Binding Antibody Units (BAU/ml), meeting WHO reference standards.
- Antibodies need some weeks to be produced after natural infection as well as after vaccination.
- Testing can be performed ~14 days after 2nd vaccination or 14 days after onset of COVID-19 symptoms.
- Knowing if adequate antibodies have been produced after an infection or vaccination.
- Insight into personal immune status over time in the months/years following infection/vaccination.
- Peace of mind as normal life and activities begin to resume.
- Allows longitudinal information on the immune response following vaccine and natural infection to be monitored.
- Helps understand long-term immunity: what levels of antibodies confer immunity and for how long?
- Can be used to determine the degree of herd immunity and assess immunization efficacy.
- The EUROIMMUN Anti-SARS-CoV-2 QuantiVac ELISA was found to have excellent correlation to the WHO reference standard for NIBSC Working Standard Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Diagnostic Calibrate.
- Based on this standard, results can be indicated in Binding Antibody Units (BAU/ml).
- No: tests based on the spike protein and receptor binding domain such as the Anti-SARS-CoV-2 QuantiVac ELISA cannot differentiate between antibodies generated from vaccination or natural infection.
- Yes: it is not expected these mutations will affect the performance of the test.
- Usually, individual amino acid changes of an antigen do not affect the binding properties of the antibodies- usually only a single epitope is affected.
- Since proteins have a large number of epitopes, the failure of a single binding point should not affect test results.
- Having a low BAU value does not specifically mean antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus are present in your blood; it could be part of an immune response to other infections in the body or molecular memory.
- To conclusively determine specific antibodies to the SARS-CoV-2 virus are present, this threshold must be met in the sample to account for the sensitivity and specificity of the test.
- Scientists are still investigating the effects of the cellular immune response that cannot be measured by antibody tests. Research has found:
- ~20% of COVID-19 patients recovered without a detectable antibody titer
- 13% of symptomatic patients and 40% of asymptomatic patients become negative for antibodies within 8 weeks.
- There is a robust and specific T cell response in most patients who make little or no antibodies.
- T cell responses can be detected >100 days after symptom onset.
- The clinical significance of T cell response is currently unknown, proof of immunity is not clear.
- Tests to assess T cell response is currently not available for consumer use.
- There is always a small possibility of a false positive COVID-19 test result.
- People under 18 years old
- People who are currently experiencing severe symptoms of COVID-19. In that case, we recommend that you seek immediate medical attention.
- Anyone with complaints of COVID-19 arising less than 14 days ago
- Anyone previously exposed to the virus who was vaccinated less than 14 days ago
