Private at Home Antibody Blood Tests

The collection includes targeted tests for Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, coronavirus, parvovirus B19, varicella-zoster virus, and Zika virus. You’ll also find autoimmune blood tests, including the Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Blood Test, Extractable Nuclear Antibodies (ENA) Blood Test, and specialist tests for intrinsic factor, islet cell, and smooth muscle antibodies. 

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Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies Blood Test

Check for antibodies to the virus that causes glandular fever

  • Results estimated in 5 working days
  • 3 biomarkers
£109.00
Coronavirus Antibody Blood Test

Do you want to know if coronavirus (COVID-19) antibodies are present in your blood? This test is helpful to monitor your antibodies if you have had a previous COVID-19 infection or the COVID-19 vaccination

  • Results estimated in 2 working days
  • 2 biomarkers
£69.00
Islet Cell Antibodies Blood Test

Islet autoantibodies can usually show up in your blood before and close to a type 1 diabetes diagnosis

  • Results estimated in 5 working days
  • 1 biomarkers
£89.00
Parvovirus B19 IgG and IgM Antibodies Blood Test

This blood test measures the levels of two different antibodies to confirm a past or current parvovirus B19 infection, important for understanding your immune response and potential risks during pregnancy or exposure

  • Results estimated in 4 working days
  • 1 biomarkers
£119.00
Smooth Muscle Antibodies Blood Test

Concerned about autoimmune liver disease? This test detects smooth muscle antibodies (SMA), which can indicate autoimmune hepatitis, a condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the liver, helping to differentiate symptoms from other liver conditions

  • Results estimated in 5 working days
  • 1 biomarkers
£89.00
Coronavirus Antibody with Vitamin D (25 OH) Blood Test

This easy test helps you understand whether you have antibodies from a past coronavirus infection or vaccination, and also checks if your vitamin D levels are within a healthy range

  • Results estimated in 2 working days
  • 4 biomarkers
£109.00
Young woman with long blonde hair is smiling and looking at the camera.
“These tests mean you can be aware if you have immunity to common infections so that if you come in to contact with someone with one of these infections you can take any appropriate action to prevent yourself from becoming unwell.”

Dr Susanna Hayter, Digital Clinician, Medichecks

Which antibody test should I choose?

The right test depends on whether you’re investigating autoimmune activity, immune function, or exposure to a particular infection. 

  • Unexplained joint pain, rashes, dry eyes, or other possible autoimmune symptoms: The Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Blood Test checks for antibodies that may be associated with connective tissue autoimmune conditions. 
  • You need a more detailed connective tissue antibody profile: The Extractable Nuclear Antibodies (ENA) Blood Test measures eight autoantibodies associated with conditions including lupus, Sjögren’s syndrome, systemic sclerosis, and mixed connective tissue disease.  
  • You experience frequent infections or have concerns about immune function: The Immunoglobulins IgG IgM IgA Blood Test measures major classes of immunoglobulins involved in the immune response. Abnormal levels can occur with immune deficiencies, inflammation, chronic infection, liver disease, and some autoimmune conditions, although further assessment may be needed to establish the cause. 
  • You need to investigate exposure to a particular infection: Choose the relevant targeted test. Testing during pregnancy, after travel, or following a suspected recent infection should be discussed with a healthcare professional, as timing and interpretation are particularly important. 
When might you need an antibody blood test?

Antibody testing is most useful when there’s a specific clinical question to answer. Having a broad panel without a clear reason can produce results that are difficult to interpret and may lead to unnecessary worry. 

You may want to discuss an antibody test with a doctor if you: 

  • Have persistent symptoms that could suggest an autoimmune condition, such as joint pain, unexplained rashes, dry eyes, dry mouth, muscle weakness, or ongoing inflammation. 
  • Experience frequent, severe, or unusual infections and want to assess your immunoglobulin levels. 
  • Have a confirmed vitamin B12 deficiency and need to investigate possible autoimmune gastritis or pernicious anaemia. 
  • Have symptoms or a known exposure associated with a particular infection. 
  • Are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or have recently travelled and have concerns about exposure to toxoplasmosis, CMV, parvovirus B19, or Zika virus. 
  • Have recently been diagnosed with diabetes and have been advised to investigate whether it may be autoimmune. 
  • Have abnormal liver results, and a clinician has suggested testing for smooth muscle antibodies associated with autoimmune hepatitis. 

Symptoms alone can’t confirm that antibodies will be present. Equally, some antibodies may be detected in people who don’t have an active infection or autoimmune disease. Your results should always be considered in their proper clinical context. 

FAQs

What does an antibody blood test show?

An antibody blood test detects specific immune proteins in your blood. Depending on the test, it may provide evidence of recent or previous exposure to an infection, identify autoantibodies associated with autoimmune activity, or measure your overall immunoglobulin levels.

What’s the difference between IgG and IgM antibodies?

IgM antibodies commonly appear earlier in the immune response, while IgG antibodies usually develop later and can remain in the blood for longer. However, antibody responses differ between infections, and results need to be interpreted according to the specific test and the timing of possible exposure.

Can an antibody blood test diagnose an autoimmune disease?

Tests, such as the Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Blood Test and Extractable Nuclear Antibodies (ENA) Blood Test can support an autoimmune investigation, but a diagnosis also depends on symptoms, examination findings, medical history, and other tests. A positive ANA can also occur without an autoimmune disease.

What is an ANA blood test? 

An ANA blood test looks for antinuclear antibodies, which react against structures within the nucleus of a cell. These antibodies can be associated with connective tissue autoimmune conditions, including lupus and Sjögren’s syndrome, but the result isn’t diagnostic by itself.

What’s the difference between an ANA and an ENA blood test?

An ANA test provides a broader screen for antinuclear antibodies. An ENA test looks for a group of more specific autoantibodies that may help guide the investigation towards connective tissue conditions. ENA testing is commonly used after a positive ANA or connective tissue disease screen.

Can an antibody test tell whether an infection is current?

IgM and IgG patterns may help distinguish recent from past exposure, but antibody levels don’t always follow a predictable timeline. Some infections require repeat testing, an antigen test, or a PCR test to establish whether an infection is currently active.

How soon after an infection should I have an antibody test?

It depends on the infection because antibodies take time to develop. Testing too early may produce a negative result even when an infection has occurred. Always check the preparation and timing instructions for your chosen test.

Does a positive antibody test mean I’m immune?

A positive result shows that antibodies were detected, but it doesn’t always prove that you’re protected from reinfection. For example, the Coronavirus Antibody Blood Test can detect spike antibodies after infection or vaccination, but their presence doesn’t guarantee immunity from future COVID-19 infection.

Can antibodies remain after an infection has gone?

Some IgG antibodies can remain detectable for many years or even for life. This is why a positive antibody result may indicate past exposure rather than an active infection.

Can you have antibodies without symptoms?

You may develop infection antibodies after an illness that caused mild or no noticeable symptoms. Some autoantibodies can also be present without causing an autoimmune condition, which is why test results must be interpreted alongside your health history.

Can an antibody blood test detect glandular fever?

The Epstein-Barr Virus Antibodies Blood Test checks antibodies associated with the Epstein-Barr virus, the usual cause of glandular fever. Its combination of EBV antibodies can help assess whether exposure is likely to be recent or occurred in the past.

Are antibody blood tests accurate?

Laboratory antibody tests can be useful when the appropriate test is taken at the right time. Accuracy varies according to the antibody, testing method, timing, and your immune response. False-positive and false-negative results are possible, so significant or unexpected findings may need confirmation or further investigation.