Concierge immunology · London
COVID-19 antibody testing, quantitative anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid IgG assays.
COVID-19 antibody testing distinguishes infection-induced immunity (anti-nucleocapsid IgG) from vaccination-induced immunity (anti-spike IgG) and provides a quantitative titre. Useful for immunosuppressed patients and pre-transplant / pre-biologic assessment.
Why patients choose us
- 01
The right assay
We route you to accredited labs running quantitative anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid IgG chemiluminescent immunoassays.
- 02
Clinical interpretation
A titre in BAU/mL is only useful with context — we return results with a clinician’s interpretation, not a printout.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Key facts
Six things worth knowing before you test.
The clinical shape of COVID-19 antibody testing — what it does, what it doesn’t, and where it changes management.
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Definition
Serum antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2, measuring the immune system’s response to infection or vaccination.
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Anti-spike IgG
Reflects immunity from vaccination and/or prior infection.
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Anti-nucleocapsid IgG
Reflects prior infection only — not raised by mRNA or adenovirus vaccination.
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Quantitative titre
Result reported in BAU/mL (WHO-standardised binding antibody units).
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Not a protection marker in isolation
Titres correlate with, but do not directly measure, protection against infection or severe disease.
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Guides therapy timing
Informs booster timing and the scheduling of biologics, rituximab and transplant work-up.
Indicative pricing
What private COVID-19 antibody testing costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner labs. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A quantitative anti-spike IgG in our network: £75–£120, with results typically in 24–48 hours.
| Test | Indicative range | Sample time | Result turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anti-spike IgG (quantitative) | £75–£120 | 10 min | 24–48 hrs |
| Anti-nucleocapsid IgG (qualitative) | £75–£120 | 10 min | 24–48 hrs |
| Combined anti-spike + anti-nucleocapsid IgG | £120–£220 | 10 min | 24–48 hrs |
| Serial titre panel (baseline + follow-up) | £220–£380 | 10 min | 24–48 hrs |
| Pre-transplant / pre-biologic immunology panel | £350–£650 | 20 min | 3–5 days |
| Immunocompromised surveillance package | £450–£900 | 20 min | 3–5 days |
Prices vary by lab, whether anti-nucleocapsid IgG is added, and whether the assay is part of a wider immunology panel. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
Preparation
From consultation to interpretation — what happens, in order.
A short concierge process from first message through to a clinician-interpreted result and a written follow-up plan.
Phase 1 · Before the draw
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · Lab processing
24–48 hours in most cases
Phase 3 · After
Clinician interpretation
- 01
Before
Consultation with GP or specialist
A short, confidential form. Symptoms, vaccination history, immunosuppression, upcoming treatment plans.
- 02
Before
Blood sample from an arm vein
A standard venous draw at the clinic — no fasting, no preparation.
- 03
Before
Serum sent to an accredited lab
Sample is spun and transported to a UKAS-accredited immunology laboratory.
- 04
Lab
Chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA)
The lab runs quantitative anti-spike and, where indicated, anti-nucleocapsid IgG assays.
- 05
Lab
Quantitative result in BAU/mL
Titres reported against the WHO international standard, allowing serial comparison.
- 06
After
Clinician interpretation
A consultant reviews the titre against your vaccination and treatment history — not a raw printout.
- 07
After
Structured follow-up plan
Booster timing, biologic scheduling, transplant work-up or serial retesting, as your case demands.
Typical end-to-end: 2–5 days. Wider immunology panels: up to 5 working days.
What it shows
When COVID-19 antibody testing is the right test.
Antibody testing answers a specific question — has the immune system mounted a measurable response, and where does that leave management. These are the presentations we see most.
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Anti-spike IgG (vaccination / infection)
Detects immune response to either mRNA / adenovirus vaccination or prior SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Anti-nucleocapsid IgG (infection only)
Distinguishes true prior infection from vaccine-only exposure — nucleocapsid isn’t in current UK vaccines.
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Quantitative titre trajectory
Serial BAU/mL readings show whether antibody levels are waning, stable or boosted.
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Immunocompromised response
Establishes whether patients on chemotherapy, biologics or steroids have mounted a response at all.
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Post-booster response
Confirms whether the most recent booster produced a measurable rise in anti-spike titre.
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Long-COVID immunology screen
A single component of a broader immunological work-up for persistent post-COVID symptoms.
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Pre-transplant baseline
Records a pre-transplant antibody baseline used to plan post-transplant surveillance and boosters.
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Red flag: nil response in immunosuppressed patient — clinical MDT review
Absent seroconversion on immunosuppression warrants specialist MDT review, not repeat testing alone.
Next steps
What a result actually changes.
The management pathways a COVID-19 antibody titre can inform — from reassurance to formal immunology follow-up.
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Reassurance for adequate response
A robust anti-spike titre in the immunocompetent patient often needs no further action beyond routine boosters.
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Additional booster if inadequate
Where the response is low, an off-schedule booster may be considered on specialist advice.
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Pre-treatment antibodies (monoclonals)
Baseline serology informs the case for prophylactic or therapeutic monoclonal antibodies where still available.
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Serial testing for immunocompromised patients
Repeat titres at defined intervals to track waning and guide booster timing.
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Timing of biologic / rituximab therapy
Where clinically safe, booster doses are scheduled before B-cell-depleting therapy for a better response.
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Pre-transplant assessment
Antibody status is folded into the wider transplant work-up alongside HLA and viral serology.
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Occupational health pathway
Results feed into occupational health decisions for healthcare workers and other high-contact roles.
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Structured immunology follow-up
Complex cases are handed on to a consultant immunologist with a written plan.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of labs, we picked them.
Immunology partners across central London — not listed publicly, introductions made privately once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every lab in our network.
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UKAS-accredited immunology laboratories only
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Quantitative chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) platforms
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Results reported against the WHO international standard (BAU/mL)
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Onward immunology or transplant pathway if the response is inadequate
Red flags
When a result needs specialist review.
Antibody testing is safe and low-risk — the practical points are recognising which results and which patient groups need onward specialist input rather than reassurance.
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Nil response in immunosuppressed patient
Absent seroconversion despite full vaccination warrants specialist immunology input.
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Post-transplant seroconversion failure
A failed post-transplant response changes booster strategy and infection-prevention advice.
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Long-COVID with autoimmune features
Persistent symptoms with autoimmune signs need a broader immunology and rheumatology work-up.
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Persistent symptoms with high antibody titre
A high titre with ongoing symptoms shifts the differential away from ongoing infection.
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Undiagnosed HIV or hypogammaglobulinaemia
An unexpectedly poor response can be the first clue to an undiagnosed primary or secondary immunodeficiency.
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Rituximab-related response failure
B-cell depletion commonly blunts the antibody response — timing of therapy matters.
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Chemo-induced immunodeficiency
Active chemotherapy attenuates vaccine responses; serology helps time boosters around cycles.
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Pregnancy immune response monitoring
Selective testing in pregnancy where immunosuppression or high-risk exposure is in play.
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Rare vaccine-induced adverse events
Serology is one input alongside clinical assessment where an atypical vaccine reaction is suspected.
Reading your report
An immunology report can look intimidating. It isn’t.
Whatever the titre, the report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The report is written for your doctor, not for you — and that’s normal.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and vaccination history
Your details, the reason for the test, vaccination dates and any immunosuppression.
- 02 Technique
Assay platform and units
Which CLIA platform was used, whether anti-spike, anti-nucleocapsid or both, and the reporting units (BAU/mL).
- 03 Findings
Quantitative titres and reference ranges
Anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid IgG values against manufacturer and WHO-standardised ranges.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
Adequate, low or absent response, and the concrete next step — read this first.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and lab; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about COVID-19 antibody testing.
Quick answers on anti-spike vs anti-nucleocapsid, whether a high titre means protection, and who should consider testing.
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What does a COVID-19 antibody test show?
It measures IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in your blood. Anti-spike IgG reflects vaccination and/or infection; anti-nucleocapsid IgG reflects prior infection only. Quantitative titres are reported in BAU/mL against the WHO international standard.
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What is the difference between anti-spike and anti-nucleocapsid antibodies?
Anti-spike IgG targets the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein — raised by both current UK vaccines and prior infection. Anti-nucleocapsid IgG targets an internal viral protein that isn’t in current UK vaccines, so it only rises after infection. Together they distinguish vaccine-induced from infection-induced immunity.
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Does a high antibody titre mean I’m protected?
Not in isolation. Titres correlate with protection at a population level but don’t directly measure individual immunity. Cellular (T-cell) immunity, variant-specific responses and mucosal immunity all matter and aren’t captured by a standard antibody test.
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Who should consider COVID-19 antibody testing?
Immunosuppressed patients, those on B-cell-depleting therapy such as rituximab, transplant candidates and recipients, and patients being assessed for biologic therapy. Occupational health and pre-treatment monoclonal antibody planning are additional indications.
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How quickly will I get results?
Standard anti-spike or anti-nucleocapsid IgG results are typically available within 24–48 hours; wider immunology panels take 3–5 working days.
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Do I need to stop any medication before the test?
No — the test does not require any preparation or medication changes. If you are on immunosuppression or biologics, that context is essential for interpretation, so please bring your medication list.
Sources
The guidance behind this page.
- UKHSA. COVID-19: guidance and support.
- NICE. COVID-19 rapid guideline pathway.
- European Medicines Agency. SARS-CoV-2 serology and standardisation.
- Royal College of Pathologists. COVID-19 antibody testing guidance.
Reviewed by Pulse Atlas Editorial Board (). Published 2026-07-30. Next review 2027-07-30. Reading time ~5 min.
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In practice, in London
Why private covid 19 antibody testing moves differently in London
With covid 19 antibody testing, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. The NHS route for covid 19 antibody testing is thorough, but the queue is real. Most patients we speak with have been told to expect anywhere from a handful of weeks to several months, depending on their local trust and how the referral is graded. Going private in London usually collapses that window to a matter of days — often the same week if the diary allows. It isn’t about jumping a queue so much as buying time back while you still have the flexibility to plan around it.
A typical private booking for covid 19 antibody testing in London starts with a consultant conversation — sometimes in person on Harley Street or Marylebone, sometimes on video if that suits better. Any imaging or diagnostics happen at a nearby CQC-registered facility, and reports usually land within 24 to 72 hours. The whole loop, from first call to written report, is often done inside a fortnight. For covid 19 antibody testing specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.
We’re careful about what a private pathway for covid 19 antibody testing can and can’t promise. It can compress a wait, put you in front of a subspecialist quickly, and get a proper report in your hands within a week. It can’t rewrite what the imaging or the bloods say. Setting that expectation up front tends to make the whole experience less stressful.