Men produce higher antibody levels in response to COVID-19

Men produce higher antibody levels in response to COVID-19, according to NHS research. Medicheck’s CE marked at-home finger-prick test detects antibodies to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2, where results are available within 2-3 days and can identify a figure on a scale of 0.4-2500 (units per millilitre). A score below 0.8 means no antibodies were detected. However, anything above 0.8 shows the presence of antibodies to the virus.

Chief Medical Officer, Medichecks, Dr Sam Rodgers, stated: “What is being learnt about COVID-19’s impact on the immune system is still a moving target – but this test lets people monitor their antibody levels over time. It is not yet known how long immunity, once it has developed, will fade, what level of antibodies provides immunity to coronavirus or at what level re-vaccination will be needed. It is also a focus of ongoing study whether antibodies may drop more quickly in certain groups of people – or if a COVID-19 infection generates more or less antibodies than the vaccine. We won’t completely rid the UK of COVID-19 anytime soon, but the more we can track antibody fluctuations in the UK population, the better picture we can build around how this virus can be managed long-term. As a guide, NHSBT is targeting volunteers who have antibody levels higher than sixty-two (U/mL) to donate plasma to treat people who are seriously ill with coronavirus. This doesn’t mean that if you have lower levels than this you won’t be protected, as we don’t know at what level of antibodies protection occurs. A number of studies have shown that coronavirus antibodies remain in the blood for at least 6 to 8 months for most people. For some, particularly those who had no symptoms, antibody levels may decline more quickly. With the Medichecks test, it will be possible to get a result below 0.8 (U/ml), even if you have had a Coronavirus infection in the past. This could be because you only experienced mild or non-existent symptoms. It could also be because your body responded to the virus using different parts of your immune system. There is a higher chance of a negative result (below 0.8 U/ml) if the test is taken too soon after becoming infected with coronavirus or being vaccinated, so we recommend waiting at least 3 weeks after a known infection or vaccination before testing.”