COVID-19 DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
You’ll probably already be aware that there are two types of COVID-19 Diagnostic Test:
This is the test that tells you if you currently have the virus. These tests are now widely available in the Community, and via GPs and 111.
We can now supply affordable COVID-19 *DUAL* IgM/IgG ANTIBODY TESTS to people who wish to know if they have had the novel, pandemic coronavirus. This requires a licensed-UK-doctor’s referral letter which Dr Alex can provide. The test has FDA EUA approval, is CE-marked in the UK, has been evaluated by Public Health England, and is UK Government-endorsed. For more information, please see below.
You can see all the laboratory tests for COVID-19 Antibodies that have been evaluated by PHE here.
Our selected test is ROCHE’s ‘Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 serology assay’ and we have chosen it because of its sensitivity and specificity, plus also because it is intended for the detection of IgM and IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in human serum and plasma. This means that our test will pick up the very first antibodies that are produced (IgM) AND the subsequent ones (IgG) which will endure longer.
This, in turn, means that our test is most sensitive at picking up the fact that you were recently infected (IgM – with accuracy increasing as the interval from infection increases from a few days to 14 days), AND that you had it ‘a while’ before (the exact period for which the IgG antibodies remain in the blood differ from individual to individual, with added science emerging now).
Please see further data below. Or download the full documentation.
OPERATIONAL FEATURES OF OUR COVID-19 ANTIBODY TEST IgM / IgG
We are very pleased to be able to offer you a test with known, assured quality, provided and processed by a leading, and outstanding, quality-assured & medically-led, UK laboratory.
CE-Marked COVID-antibody testing packs, for self-collection
capillary samples (home-draw kits).
The Kit
> CE marked device for COVID
> MHRA approved
> Track24 Response mailer/label included
> CE marked Roche assay (Total IgG/IgM)
> Manufactured by MedDX Solutions Ltd
Taking and sending samples to our Lab in London:
> Sample taking instructions are provided.
> Dr Alex will supply a request form which
is sent back with the sample.
> Includes Royal Mail Track 24 Response mailer
and tracking label.
> Samples can be posted to the laboratory
through any Royal Mail post box.
> The test results will be sent to Dr Alex directly
– who will report these for you.
Because of laboratory test system variations, it is highly recommended that you stick with ONE BRAND OF COVID-Antibody assay, and conduct a series of tests over a period of time. Dr Alex will compare and contrast any repeat samples that you process with us to ensure you get maximum value from your tests, and for your ongoing information.
SO WHAT DOES THE TEST MEASURE & WHAT DOES THE RESULT ‘SAY’?
The COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Antibody Test measures two types of antibody (part of the immune response) called IgM and IgG, which first appear in an individual’s blood shortly after infection.
These antibodies are especially-formed to tackle that specific infection. By detecting those very specific IgM/IgG molecules in your blood, we know that you have had that specific infection (COVID-19).
By testing for both, we reduce or eliminate errors that could arise by a) uncertainty of the timing of the test from date of infection, & b) individual variations in response times.
An individual’s immune system reacts to the SARS-CoV-2 infection by producing antibodies from a few days to 2 weeks after the onset of symptoms. IgG antibodies are produced after the very first antibodies are produced (IgM), and there is usually enough IgG at 14 days for our sensitive test to reliably detect the IgG response.
IgM levels drop soon after infection, but IgG will endure longer. If you are interested you can see this example article for more information on COVID-19 ‘seroconversion’ (development of antibodies).
This is important also, because at 14 days the viral ‘RNA’ is no longer detectable – and it’s the RNA that is ‘looked for’ in the Antigen Test that most people who have had tests, have had so far to see if they currently have the infection. After 14 days you can’t reliably test (Antigen Test) to see if you still have the virus, but now you can test to see if you have had the infection with COVID-19 (using the Antibody Test we are offering here).
Most patients who recover from coronavirus have been found to produce antibodies. However, it is not yet known if an individual with a positive result – that is, showing the presence of IgG levels following being infected with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) – will be protected, either fully or partially, from future infection, or for how long protective immunity may last. That is because not enough time has elapsed as yet for us to have that information reliably.
But by doing the test now you will know if you have had it. Immunity to the virus is more probable in the first months after infection (although that cannot be guaranteed), so the result may provide you with some measure of risk. However, we emphasize that we do not yet know how long any protective immunity – if that exists/exists for all individuals – lasts.
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