Antibody Titer Test: Purpose, Procedure, And Preparation - Healthline

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HealthlineSubscribeWhat is an Antibody Titer Test, and What Do the Results Mean?

Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH — Written by The Healthline Editorial Team — Updated on December 17, 2025

Test purpose
Preparation
Procedure
Results
FAQ
Summary

Key takeaways

An antibody titer test identifies and measures the amount of antibodies in your blood, which indicates the strength of your immune response.
Doctors use this test to determine if you’ve had past infections, need vaccine booster shots, or if your immune system is reacting to your own tissues, potentially indicating an autoimmune disorder.
Atypical results from an antibody titer test can point to various immune disorders or infections, which may require further investigation with additional blood tests.

The antibody titer is a test that detects the presence and measures the amount of antibodies within your blood, which help neutralize invading microorganisms in your body before they can cause infection.

Why did my doctor order an antibody titer test?

An antibody titer test is used to determine if you’ve had previous infections and whether you need certain immunizations. This test can be used to see:

if you need a vaccination booster shot
whether you recently had or currently have an infection
whether your immune system has a strong response to your own tissues, possibly indicating an autoimmune disorder
whether an immunization triggers a strong enough response against the disease it’s meant to protect you against

About antibodies and your immune system

Your immune system produces antibodies to mark invading microorganisms for destruction or to neutralize them before they can cause an infection. Invading microorganisms are known as pathogens. Pathogens have markers on them known as antigens, which antibodies find and attach themselves.

This attachment of antigens to antibodies sparks the immune response. This is a complex interaction of immune tissues and cells that work to defend against invading organisms and fight infection.

How should I prepare for the antibody titer test?

It’s essential that you tell your doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter medications, dietary supplements, and vitamins you’re currently taking before the test is performed.

Generally, no special preparation is required for this test.

However, research has shown that people receiving chemotherapy have a decrease in antibody levels, so let your doctor know if you’ve recently undergone or are currently undergoing chemotherapy.

What happens during an antibody titer test?

The antibody titer is a blood test.

A healthcare professional will tie a band above the site where the blood will be collected.
They will next clean and sterilize the site with antiseptic before inserting a small needle directly into a vein. Many people feel a prick at the initial puncture, which quickly fades as the blood is drawn.
Once the blood is collected, the healthcare professional will remove the needle.
You will be asked to apply pressure to the puncture site with a cotton ball or gauze. A bandage is placed on the site, and you are then free to leave.

This test is a low risk procedure. However, slight risks can include:

feeling faint at the sight of blood
dizziness or vertigo
soreness or redness at the puncture site
hematoma (bruising)
pain
infection

What do atypical antibody titer test results mean?

Atypical test results may indicate immune disorders, such as:

hyper-IgE syndrome
antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (aPL)
X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome

Atypical results may also indicate other current or past infections, such as:

meningitis, which is inflammation of the membranes that cover your brain and spinal cord
diphtheria, a bacterial infection
infection from helicobacter pylori bacteria
chickenpox
mononucleosis
hepatitis

Your doctor will take into consideration your medical history, vaccination record, overall health, and specific circumstances. They typically call or email you with your results.

A high titer indicates strong immune protection, but it doesn’t guarantee lifelong immunity, as antibody levels can decline over time for certain diseases.

A low or negative titer can suggest a lack of immunity. A medical professional my recommend you get a vaccine booster.

Frequently asked questions about an antibody titer test

How long does a titer test take for you to get the results?

The time it takes to receive results from a titer test can vary depending on several factors, including the specific laboratory conducting the test, the type of titer test being performed, and the the lab’s workload. Generally speaking, it can take as little as several hours or as long as several days to receive results.

How accurate is antibody titer testing?

Antibody titer testing is considered to be a reliable and accurate method for measuring the level of antibodies in the blood in response to a specific pathogen, vaccine, or antigen.

No test is perfect, and the accuracy can be influenced by several factors, such as laboratory techniques. the timing of the blood draw (if it happens too soon after exposure to an antigen, this may not show in the results), and your body’s immune response.

Antibody titer testing is considered to be a reliable and accurate method for measuring the level of antibodies in the blood in response to a specific pathogen, vaccine, or antigen.

How much does a titer test cost, and is it covered by insurance?

The cost of a titer test can vary widely depending on the specific antibody or panel of tests ordered and the lab performing the test. However, when it is deemed medically necessary, it’s typically covered by insurance, including government programs like Medicare.You will need to pay your insurance copayment, if you have one.Without insurance, this test can range from $100 to $400, or more.

You will need to pay your insurance copayment, if you have one.

Without insurance, this test can range from $100 to $400, or more.

Next steps

Your doctor will go over your test results with you.
If your test result is atypical, your doctor may order another test, such as:
- quantitative measure of serum immunoglobulin levels
- peripheral blood smear
- complete blood count (CBC)

Takeaway

An antibody titer test is a diagnostic test used to measure the concentration of specific antibodies in your blood in response to an antigen, vaccine, or foreign substance. This blood test helps assess your immune response to a particular infection or vaccination by determining the level of antibodies present in your blood.

This test can indicate whether you have immunity to a specific disease or require further vaccinations or medical interventions.

It can also help a doctor diagnose past infections and monitor vaccine responses.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Antibody titer. (n.d.).https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/antibody-titer
Felip E, et al. (2022). Impact of chemotherapy and/or immunotherapy on neutralizing antibody response to SARS‐CoV‐2 mRNA‐1237 vaccine in patients with solid tumors.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9877816/
Hoffman GE, et al. (2022). The importance of titrating antibodies for immunocytochemical methods.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4985043/
Karafin MS, et al. (2023). Antibody titers in transfusion medicine: A critical reevaluation of testing accuracy, reliability, and clinical use.https://meridian.allenpress.com/aplm/article/147/12/1351/490550/Antibody-Titers-in-Transfusion-Medicine-A-Critical

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Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M.D., MPH — Written by The Healthline Editorial Team — Updated on December 17, 2025

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