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Antibody test after Covid vaccine

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Posted 5/26/2021 10:21 PM (GMT 0)

CCinPA said...
I got my results back from the study's antibody test. My level is 3 and anything over 1 is positive for antibodies. Not swimming in antibodies the way Flowers is but I am happy that the vaccine worked! I was pretty concerned since I am on max dosage of Remicade. I suspect I will need a booster shot of vaccine at some point.

Twingirls, did you get your results?

I just received my results from the lab this morning. My level is 12. Have no clue what it means other than I have antibodies. The official report said my level is high but maybe 1 and above is high. I have heard nothing from the study and I thought they were supposed to send the results to me with an explanation. I looks like they divided the people who responded into 4 groups. 1 - 10, 11 -20, 21 -30 and 31 and up. I am on Humira and didn’t do anything different for my Humira shots because my GI told me I didn’t need to. Now I am reading some doctors are telling patients to push off the next Humira shot after the second covid vaccine.

Post Edited (Twingirls) : 5/26/2021 5:32:10 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/27/2021 9:19 PM (GMT 0)
I just received a secure email from the study about my test results but I can't open it. Have either of you been able to open the secure emails they send? I wasn't able to open the lab request from them either and had to call them to get them to send it as a normal attachment

TwinGirls -- you have a higher number than me, but not a lot higher. Humira & Remicade are both systemic anti TNF meds so I would guess that is the reason. Flowers is on Entyvio which is gut specific so it's not supressing her entire immune system.

I am kinda bummed that I basically have to depend on herd immunity before it will be safe for me. And given the resistance to the vaccines that many people have I don't see how we are ever gonna get there.
Posted 5/27/2021 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry you guys didn’t develop more antibodies. I guess entyvio really does have a lower effect on the immune system than some of the other meds. I wonder how people on xeljanz are faring — isn’t it also not supposed to affect the immune system as much? Or do I have that wrong. Now I’m curious if I’m an anomaly.

What study did you guys join? Apparently I signed up for two — I just received a letter from John Hopkins with a test requisition. I’m going to send them my results and see if they accept that. Otherwise I guess I’ll get tested again!
Posted 5/27/2021 10:38 PM (GMT 0)
I'm on the Prevent Covid at UNC study. Will be interesting to see if you get different results, Flowers
Posted 5/27/2021 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
I'm in the UNC study as well. They haven't sent me the labwork part yet.
Posted 5/28/2021 1:08 AM (GMT 0)
I just got my lab work order for the UNC study. I will share my results when I get them. I’m on aza and curious to see what my results are.
Posted 5/28/2021 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
I am in the Prevent Covid. I tried for the John Hopkins but they told me I needed to do my 1st test before my second shot so I couldn’t join it.

CCinPA I was able to open mine. It had the lab Corp results and said I did make antibodies to the covid vaccine but they don’t know what the different numbers mean. I did read that people on anti-TNF medication always respond less to vaccinations but it still offers some protection. My GI has said this too. So I assume it’s the same here. Maybe I can still get COVID but it will not be severe. I am a teacher and everyone in my state must wear masks in school so not really different for me. I am still seeing my fully vaccinated parents and friends but numbers around hear have dropped really low right now.

I just don’t know why the study has broken us up into 5 categories. One category for doesn’t respond and then 4 other groups. If they don’t know what the numbers mean why would they group them that way and why would the last category be 30+. Why wouldn’t it be broken down more. I teach high school AP Psych so research is a big part which is probably why I have to many questions.
Posted 5/28/2021 1:47 AM (GMT 0)
I was unable to participate. Its been over 90 days.😞. I am so sad. But my PCP did order an antibody test. Hopefully someone on here can help me figure out the results.

Congrats on developing antibodies!!! That is really wonderful. My PCP said there were some other studies...and they are showing multiple results--with as many as 20 percent of people on antiTNF meds not making any antibodies. He called it a failed response to the vaccine. He also told me to continue to play it safe. The variants are supposed to be very bad for us.

When is this going to get better? Come on herd immunity!!!

Clo
Posted 5/28/2021 2:52 AM (GMT 0)
This was written recently and looked at the study being done in the UK with UC patients receiving the vaccine. Maybe it will make people feel better. https://www.crohnsandcolitis.org.uk/support/coronavirus/research-into-the-coronavirus-and-crohns-and-colitis/clarity
Posted 5/28/2021 11:24 AM (GMT 0)
So weird that I can't open their secure emails. It asks me to log into my email again and then I get an error message saying that I am not part of UNC. I wonder if they didn't add my email address into their network or something.

Sara, how long ago did you have your 1st dose of the vaccine. They do the test within 90 days of the first dose, but mine was a few days past that. I called them because I was close to the 90 days when I signed up and I really wanted the test. That call probably helped speed up getting the test. The woman I talked to was really nice and told me they are a little overwhelmed because they have over 3000 people who signed up for the study.
Posted 5/28/2021 1:10 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't join any study but I asked my doctor to test if I developed any antibodies after Moderna vaccine. I did my test 3 weeks after my 2nd dose. My test says:
SARS COV 2 AB (IGG) SPIKE, SEMI QN >20,00 H.
I am on Entyvio btw.
Posted 5/28/2021 2:05 PM (GMT 0)

GloriaD said...
I didn't join any study but I asked my doctor to test if I developed any antibodies after Moderna vaccine. I did my test 3 weeks after my 2nd dose. My test says:
SARS COV 2 AB (IGG) SPIKE, SEMI QN >20,00 H.
I am on Entyvio btw.

Looks like it was a different antibody test. There are many different tests. I know a person in a different study and there results look so different from mine because it is a different test. On top of it no one knows what these tests mean so I don’t know how helpful they actually are. Has anyone’s doctors gave them any indication about what they mean? All I have heard is the same thing my results said. You have made antibodies.
Posted 5/28/2021 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
I am in the Johns Hopkins study and asked them if they had any idea of what range of antibodies is normal. They said ask your doctor. Not really helpful!! I am on Stelara and my husband is on Balsalazide. We were both tested one month after the second Pfizer shot. I was over 1100 and he was around 730. Surprising! I would have thought mine would be lower.
Posted 5/28/2021 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hmm. I didn’t know there were different antibody tests! Sounds like John Hopkins study might be using a different test. I sent them my UNC results and they’re supposed to get back to me. It’s already past 3 months for me so I don’t know if they’ll want me to test again or not.

I don’t think anyone does know what the numbers mean which is why they’re doing the studies. Nor do they know how long antibodies will last.
Posted 5/28/2021 6:11 PM (GMT 0)

CCinPA said...

Sara, how long ago did you have your 1st dose of the vaccine. They do the test within 90 days of the first dose, but mine was a few days past that. I called them because I was close to the 90 days when I signed up and I really wanted the test. That call probably helped speed up getting the test. The woman I talked to was really nice and told me they are a little overwhelmed because they have over 3000 people who signed up for the study.

March 25 was my first shot. April 22 was 2nd shot. So maybe they'll send me the order for it soon. Thanks for the info. It doesn't sound like anyone is getting very clear answers about their test results from these studies so far. That's unfortunate.
Posted 5/29/2021 12:50 AM (GMT 0)

Sara14 said...

CCinPA said...

Sara, how long ago did you have your 1st dose of the vaccine. They do the test within 90 days of the first dose, but mine was a few days past that. I called them because I was close to the 90 days when I signed up and I really wanted the test. That call probably helped speed up getting the test. The woman I talked to was really nice and told me they are a little overwhelmed because they have over 3000 people who signed up for the study.

March 25 was my first shot. April 22 was 2nd shot. So maybe they'll send me the order for it soon. Thanks for the info. It doesn't sound like anyone is getting very clear answers about their test results from these studies so far. That's unfortunate.

I sent my results to my GI saying I took part in this study here is what they found. I said I don’t really know what it means other than I made some antibodies.

He said thanks for sharing the information and the results mean the vaccine worked. So???
Posted 6/14/2021 12:45 PM (GMT 0)
I got my results from the UNC CH study today. I don’t see a number range for my score of 1,2, 3, etc but my antibody levels where “high” at 34. That doesn’t seem very high to me, but they don’t give you a range other than anything >1 is a positive result.

Post Edited (momto2boys) : 6/25/2021 6:28:53 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/14/2021 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
They still haven't sent me anything about getting the labwork done. I'm almost 3 months out from my first shot. I think I will email them. I'm confused because everything I read said regular antibody tests aren't a good indicator of protection from the vaccine, but it sounds like that is what these studies are using.

Update: They sent the lab order to me today after I emailed them. I didn't realize we had to go to a LabCorps location. The closest one to me is over an hour away so I'm not sure if I'll make it up there or not. I really want to know if I'm protected though. I don't understand why they are telling you guys to ask your local doctors what your results mean because they told me today via email this is "a specialized test that is used for our research study and is not the same as the general antibody test that is widely available through your local lab." So then how would our general doctors know how to read the results? I don't know.

Anyone hear anything about Stelara and the vaccine yet?
Posted 6/23/2021 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
I got my antibody results from the UNC study today. It says my level is "High" at 75. I know they say the test hasn't been FDA approved and we don't know what it means in terms of protection against COVID, but I was relieved to see a high number.
Posted 6/24/2021 10:39 AM (GMT 0)
That's great, MmeMulot! I would think a high number is better.

I am still double masking and keeping my distance when I rarely go anywhere. Cases in my area have dramatically decreased so I am feeling less stressed when I do go somewhere though I stopped at a farmers market last week that has inside and outside areas and no one was wearing a mask -- not the workers or any of the customers -- that kinda freaked me out a bit. I heard one worker tell a customer that one of the owners was in the hospital with covid and they didn't know if he was going to make it. I got out of there quickly after that.

Sarah, it may be worth your peace of mind to make the drive to get the test. Call them to see what their hours are - maybe they have weekend or evening hours that would work better for you. But even if they don't I hope you can get there. It's worth knowing that you have at least some antibodies.
Posted 6/24/2021 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah, I agree -- thanks. I'm going to try to make it there tomorrow. I have a consult with a colo-rectal surgeon up in the Indy area, and there is a LabCorps location 30 minutes from there. So, if I can make it to LabCorps before they close for the day, I will do it tomorrow. Will report back with results!

I'm with you on the masking and distancing. Most of the employees at my local pharmacy don't even mask up anymore. That was one of the few places I went inside throughout the pandemic.
Posted 6/24/2021 6:28 PM (GMT 0)
FYI—I made an appt with labcorp for my test. It was really easy online. Then when I got there they sent a text I could reply to that I had arrived and could wait in my car which was nice
Posted 6/25/2021 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
Congratulations to all of you lucky people that have antibodies!!! I am.very happy for you...and maybe just a little jealous..lol..

I received my test results back. Nothing. It shows I have no antibodies. My infectious disease doctor was very surprised. He advised me that even with no antibodies registering on the test that I could possibly maybe have some type of an immune response. He is researching giving me the Moderna just in case...... He also advised us to believe what the test indicated, social distance and mask up...just to be safe.

I am very disappointed.....but prior to the vaccine they did inform me that the Remicade and Methotrexate might make me a non responder to the vaccine.

Anyone heard anything about nonresponders taking another set of shots???
Posted 6/25/2021 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
Wow clo. That sucks! So sorry. I imagine the problem is no one knows at this point. Good thing you have an infectious disease specialist working with you. Let us know if you find an answer.
Posted 6/25/2021 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
Oh, no, clo, I'm so sorry about your lack of antibodies! That is rotten. Though I'm glad you have doctors that seem to be taking it seriously and trying to help you. I know other countries are "mixing and matching" vaccines now some, and they're talking about booster shots for the vaccinated in our future, so I would think it would be OK for you to get the Moderna, especially since you didn't have a response. I hope your doctor confirms that.

I hate you have to continue to be so careful. People like you and other folks who are immune-compromised are part of why I'm so cranky about mask mandates being pretty much nonexistent anymore in most places. Even vaccinated with apparently good antibodies, I feel less safe than I did a month and a half ago because of all the maskless people around.
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