Covid 19 Antibody Test

How does our service work?

• Place an order and get your blood sample collection pack delivered to your door
• Collect your sample by following the instructions in the pack
• Send your sample to our UK-based, accredited partner laboratory, which will perform the test (postage is free)
• Once your results are available (within 2 days), our doctors will review your results
• One of our doctors will contact you via a secure and confidential message in your patient account to let you know your results

COVID-19 Antibody Test Kit UK Online

You can buy COVID-19 antibody test kits online from Prescription Doctor's UK-registered pharmacy. We work with a partnered UK-based laboratory to ensure that the home test kits are safe and reliable.

This COVID antibody testing kit is an approved UK laboratory antibody testing kit supplied by Prescription Doctor. It detects the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies, which are produced by your body when a coronavirus infection is detected.

Our partner laboratory runs the Roche and Abbott Covid Antibody test, which is a CE-marked, automated, interfaced laboratory test.

Everything you need to conduct the test, including detailed instructions, is enclosed with the testing kit.

Results are made available to you through your online Prescription Doctor account within 24 hours of the lab receiving your sample.

This test can determine if you have already had the virus, following 14 days or more of exposure to the virus, or if you are experiencing symptoms.

Symptoms of COVID-19:

• Fever
• Persistent dry cough
• Loss of sense of smell or taste

If you order your COVID-19 test kit before 3pm, Monday to Friday, our UK pharmacy will dispatch your item the same day via a next-day, tracked courier service.

How does the test work?

The test detects antibodies associated with the coronavirus.

When a virus attacks your system, your body's immune system creates proteins called antibodies. These antibodies bind to the pathogen, tagging it for other parts of the immune system to act upon or disabling the antigen directly.

Antibodies remain in your blood for a while after the virus has been eradicated from your body. It is recommended to take the antibody test after 14 days of experiencing symptoms. It is unknown how long COVID-19 antibodies remain detectable in the body. By remaining in the body, the presence of antibodies generates immunity against the virus. Should the same virus attempt to infect you again, the antibodies will be ready and waiting to fight it off.

By looking for this specific antibody associated with COVID-19, the test can confirm whether the antibodies are present in your bloodstream, indicating a previous infection.

The laboratory employs a method called Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA). In short, if antibodies against COVID-19 are present, they will bind to proteins in a test solution and glow. Consultation">Public Health England (PHE) has evaluated Abbot's SARS-CoV-2 antibody test.

How do I take the test?

The test is a straightforward finger-prick blood test. When you buy a COVID-19 antibody test kit from Prescription Doctor, we will provide you with everything you will need to conduct the test from the comfort of your own home.

Before taking the COVID-19 test, it is essential to wash your hands with soap and water. Ensure your hands are dry before proceeding.

1. Take an alcohol wipe and clean your desired little finger. Ensure your finger is dry before proceeding.
2. Take one of the lancets and carefully twist the blue tip and remove it.
3. Hold the lancet against the side of your little finger. Press the lancet down firmly against the side of your finger to activate the lancet. The lancet will pierce your finger, and a drop of blood will form.
4. Wipe away the first drop of blood with a clean tissue.
5. Position the blood collection tube in the designated hole of the packing wallet. This will help keep the tube propped up while you provide the sample.
6. Stand up and hold your little finger above the blood collection tube, allowing the blood to drop into the tube. If you are having trouble collecting blood, you can encourage blood flow by massaging your arm and finger. Avoid squeezing or pinching the area from which you are taking the sample, as this can cause the blood to congeal, making it more difficult to collect the blood sample.
7. Fill the test tube to the upper line indicated on the side of the tube.
8. Once you have filled the test tube to the top line (or over), apply one of the spot plasters and seal the tube with the yellow cap.
9. Invert the sealed blood collection tube up to 10 times.
10. Apply the name label to the test tube as instructed, and place the sample collection tube into the protective packing wallet.
11. Place the protective wallet (with the sample collection tube inside) and used lancets into the test kit box.
12. Put the test kit and the completed request form into the pre-paid envelope and post it at your earliest convenience.

You can fill out the name label and request form before or after collecting your sample.

Please remember to include the following in the pre-paid envelope:

• Completed request form
• Blood collection tube in the protective wallet
• Used lancets
• Place all the samples in the Test Kit Box.

Once the accredited lab receives your sample, it will test it and send the results to us.

Here's what you will find enclosed in the test kit

• 2 alcohol wipes
• 2 moist wipes
• 2 plasters
• 3 lancets
• A collection tube
• A name label
• A pre-paid envelope
• A protective packing wallet
• A request form

How will I receive my results?

Results will be made available through your online Prescription Doctor account within 24 hours of the lab receiving your sample.

We will notify you via email when your results are available for viewing.

What will the results mean?

There are two main outcomes of the test:

Positive

Antibodies associated with COVID-19 are found in your blood. This confirms a previous infection.

Negative

Antibodies associated with COVID-19 were not found in your blood. This denies a previous infection.

Regardless of the outcome, it is essential to maintain social distancing and adhere to government guidelines to prevent the spread of infection.

Frequently asked questions

Is this antibody test the same as rapid tests?

The Abbott antibody coronavirus test, available through our online service, differs from the rapid coronavirus tests. Rapid test kits, which provide positive or negative results in minutes and work similarly to pregnancy tests, are not approved for use in the UK.

Should I only take a test if I have symptoms of COVID-19?

You can take the COVID-19 antibody test regardless of whether you have symptoms.

It is possible that you have previously contracted the virus but were unaware of it. In this instance, this test could confirm whether you've previously been infected with the virus. Likewise, a false result will confirm that you have not caught the virus.

It's important to remember that, whatever the outcome, you continue to follow the government's guidelines on social distancing and self-isolation if you develop symptoms.

Will Prescription Doctor's Online Pharmacy report test numbers and results to Public Health England (PHE)?

Our partner laboratory reports the number of tests carried out, as well as the results of these tests, to the PHE. These statistics enable the government to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and inform decisions on effective policies to prevent the spread of the infection. The laboratory does not share any personal data.

How reliable are the COVID-19 antibody test kits?

The test kits have a sensitivity of over 97% and a specificity of more than 99%.

Where can I buy a COVID-19 testing kit?

You can order a COVID-19 antibody test kit online from Prescription Doctor. Place your order before 3pm, Monday to Friday, and our UK-based pharmacy will dispatch your test kit on the same day.