Antibody Serology Tests
Reviewed
Also called: antibody titer test, antibody test, antibody serum test
Antibody serology tests look for specific antibodies in your blood. Antibodies are proteins your immune system makes to fight disease-causing germs. These tests are generally used to see if you've had a specific infection, check your vaccination status, or monitor certain treatments. Results may be given as titers, positive, or negative. The test cannot show if antibodies are from a current or past infection or from a vaccination, nor can it show if you have full protection from a disease.
Specimen: Blood
Why this test may be ordered
- To find out if you've had a recent or past infection.
- To check your vaccination status.
- To find out if a vaccine is effective.
- As a requirement for your school or job.
- To find out if you have an autoimmune disease, such as lupus.
Preparation and collection
You don't need any special preparations.
Blood sample from a vein in your arm.
There is very little risk to having a blood test. There may be slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly.
Understanding results
Your results depend on which antibodies were measured. Results may be given as titers (levels of antibodies), positive (you have antibodies), or negative (you do not have antibodies).
- Antibodies detected (positive): Antibodies to a specific pathogen were found. This may mean you had an infection before. It could also mean you've been vaccinated against a certain disease. Limitation: Cannot show if the antibodies are from a current or past infection or from a vaccination. Cannot show if you have full protection from a disease or how long protection lasts. Next step: Your provider will interpret this result in the context of your health history and may recommend additional testing or a booster shot.
- Low antibody levels: Low levels of certain antibodies were found. This may mean an earlier vaccination does not provide you with enough protection against a disease. Limitation: Cannot show if you have full protection from a disease or how long protection lasts. Next step: Your provider may recommend a booster shot to increase your protection.
- Antibodies not detected (negative): No antibodies to a specific pathogen were found. This may mean you have not been infected or vaccinated against that pathogen. Limitation: Cannot show if the antibodies are from a current or past infection or from a vaccination. Next step: Your provider will interpret this result based on your vaccination history and possible exposure.
- Cannot show if the antibodies are from a current or past infection or from a vaccination.
- Cannot show if you have full protection from a disease or how long protection lasts.
- These tests are not used to diagnose diseases such as measles, mumps, chickenpox, shingles, hepatitis, or mononucleosis.
- There is very little risk to having a blood test; slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in may occur, but most symptoms go away quickly.
What to do next
Talk to your provider about what your specific results mean for your health.
- Why is my provider ordering this test?
- What do my specific antibody results mean for my health?
- Do I need any follow-up tests or booster shots based on these results?