A serological test measures antibodies in a blood sample. The amount of antibodies helps healthcare providers determine how strongly your immune system responded to a disease. A provider will withdraw a small amount of blood, which a lab will then test. You should have your results in a few days.
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A serological (sir-uh-LOJ-i-kuhl) test is a type of laboratory test that usually looks for antibodies in a blood sample. Antibodies are proteins that your immune system makes to fight off invaders, including pathogens (like viruses and bacteria).
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Healthcare providers can express serological test results:
A serological test can detect and/or measure antibodies for many different types of infections, including:
Serological tests can also diagnose many autoimmune diseases, including:
A healthcare provider may order a serological test to:
A healthcare provider gets your blood sample through a blood test. They’ll withdraw a small amount of blood from a vein, usually in your arm. Then, they’ll send your sample to a lab. The lab then detects the antibodies in your blood.
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Before a serological test, be sure to let the healthcare provider know about all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications you’re taking, including vitamins and herbal supplements. Certain medications and herbal supplements may increase your risk of bleeding.
It’s also a good idea to let the provider know if you have a fear of needles. They can help you relax so the experience is less intense.
A nurse or phlebotomist will likely perform a serological test. A phlebotomist has special training to draw blood from children and adults. When withdrawing blood from a vein in your arm, they’ll:
Once they collect enough blood, they’ll remove the needle, place a bandage over the area and remove the elastic band.
In some cases, a provider may only need a tiny amount of blood. They’ll prick one of your fingers with a needle and collect a tiny amount of blood on a special piece of paper. Babies may get a heel stick — providers will prick their heels with a needle to get a blood sample.
After collecting a blood sample, a provider will put a bandage on the spot where the needle went in. They may ask you to wait for several minutes before standing up and leaving.
In general, a serological test is a very safe procedure. But some risks may include:
It depends. You may need a serological test to confirm that a vaccine is working. This usually takes place four to six weeks after your vaccine. It’s also a good idea to get a serological test if you suspect you had exposure to an infectious disease.
Normal or abnormal serological test results depend on the antibody a healthcare provider is testing for. A serological test detects the amount of antibodies in your blood. But it can’t detect antibodies that bind to antigens. So, you might have a severe infection but have a low or negative result because more antibodies bind to the antigens than exist freely in your blood.
A high result may indicate a previous infection or that your antibodies weren’t able to bind to antigens. A low result may indicate that your immune system was able to rid your body of an infection.
A healthcare provider will interpret your results and explain them to you.
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You should get the results of your serological test within a few days.
If your serological results are abnormal, you may need to take another serological test, additional tests or treatment.
Call a healthcare provider if you:
In many cases, insurance covers necessary immunizations and serological tests. But talk to your insurance provider to make sure.
No. A tuberculosis (TB) test helps determine if you have a tuberculosis infection. A TB test may include a skin test or a blood test. During a TB blood test, they’ll mix your blood sample with antigens and measure the reaction to determine if you have TB. This assesses your cellular immune response.
A serological test helps healthcare providers learn whether you’ve had a certain type of infection or determine if a vaccine adequately protects you. Getting a blood draw isn’t fun. But the process is quick, and the discomfort or pain is mild for most people.
The results of a serological test can be confusing, especially because they can be different according to the type of disease. A provider will explain the results to you and walk you through your next steps if your results are abnormal.
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Last reviewed on 12/11/2024.
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