A titer test is a blood test that detects the presence (qualitative) & amount (quantitative) of antibodies in the bloodstream. Blood can be analyzed to measure dozens of certain antibodies related to a broad range of medical conditions. The titer test is carried out to check if there is an immune reaction triggered by foreign invaders (antigens) in the body. The test can also check if a person has had an infection or is immune to a disease, this occurs when a person has contracted the disease or vaccination.
This article covers all the significant topics related to titer tests such as the test cost, preparation for tests, risk factor, and how to get tested for a titer test.
- What is a titer test?
- Why it is done?
- What do titer tests check for?
- How should you prepare?
- What happens during a titer test?
- Risk of this test
- What do the results mean?
- Provider locations
For our readers who are interested in knowing the titer test cost beforehand, we begin with that section.
How much does the titer test cost?
Titer test costs range from $99 to $159 in one of our partner lab(s) located across the US. Prior appointment isn’t required. You will get the results in your email in 2 to 3 business days after completing the procedure. Apart from this, doctor consultation is available for any kind of further treatment or medical advice.
The table below shows the titer test provider and its price. You can know more and book the test by clicking on the “Book Now” button.
Name of our Partner Lab | Book Online at Offer Price |
Health Labs
| Starting from$99 |
Titer test cost with insurance
Many insurance companies in the U.S. cover all the vital tests like the titer test. However, the coverage provided by private health insurance companies and national health insurance programs like Medicare varies widely. Most health insurance policies cover titer test costs only once or twice a year and when your physician orders more than twice a year, you should pay the test cost out of pocket. So, you are recommended to check if your health insurance policy covers the titer test cost.
Our titer testing providers do not accept any kind of health insurance policy. However, they can provide you with an itemized receipt containing all the details viz the name of the test, code of the test, and CPT code which is necessary for insurance reimbursement purposes.
What is a titer test?
Generally, immunoglobulins or antibodies are specialized proteins produced by the immune system to identify and destroy foreign invaders like bacteria and viruses. A titer test is used to determine the presence and amount of antibodies in the blood. Measuring certain antibodies can determine if a person has been vaccinated against or previously infected by a certain pathogen. And the test is done to investigate if there is an immune reaction triggered by foreign invaders in the body.
For people with autoimmune disorders (like systemic lupus erythematosus) the titer test is done to check the degree and extent of an immune reaction against the body’s own cells. This test is recommended for people who are unsure of the vaccination history, think they may need a booster, or have been infected by a disease.
For this test, the blood sample will be diluted serially and incubated with known antigens to find out the presence of antibodies against these antigens. The number of dilutions depends on the concentration of antibodies in the blood.
Why is a titer test done?
The titer test is used to determine:
- If you need a booster vaccine
- Whether a vaccine you had before helped the immune system protect you against the specific disease
- If you recently had or currently have an infection
- The strength of an immune response to the body’s tissue in diseases like an autoimmune disorder
Apart from this, medical workers may need this test to ensure that they have antibodies to viruses to which they have frequent exposure. And titer tests may be an option to prove that you have received a certain vaccine when medical records cannot provide proof of vaccination.
What do titer tests check for?
Certain antibodies are produced in response to certain pathogens like viruses. The presence of certain antibodies can show that a person has been vaccinated or has been exposed to a particular pathogen. This test can check for a variety of diseases including:
- Tetanus
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Varicella-zoster virus (chickenpox and shingles)
- Diphtheria (bacterial infection)
- Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, hepatitis C
- Tuberculosis
- Mononucleosis
What is a Tetanus Titer Test?
Tetanus infection also known as “Lockjaw” infection is caused by a bacterium called Clostridium tetani. As the second name suggests, this bacteria can cause serious damage to the brain and nervous system, resulting in muscle stiffness. The bacteria primarily targets and cause muscle spasms/stiffness in various muscles, especially around the jaw-line, chest, back, abdomen, and neck area. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a tetanus infection can be life-threatening –– causing around 20% of fatality infected people
A tetanus test is done to screen the levels of antibody response to the tetanus toxoid vaccine and to decide whether you have had a tetanus jab in the past.
Following are some of the common symptoms of a Tetanus infection:
- Jaw cramping
- Muscle spasms
- Painful muscle stiffness all over the body
- Trouble swallowing
- Jerking (seizures)
- Changes in blood pressure and heart rate
Read more about Tetanus here.
Tetanus Titer Test Cost in the US
Tetanus Titer test costs $99 in one of our partner lab(s) located across the US. Prior appointment isn’t required. You will get the results in your email in 2 to 3 business days after completing the procedure. Our partner also provides test result interpretation, if needed.
The table below shows the titer test provider and its price. You can know more and book the test by clicking on the “Book Now” button.
Name of our Partner Lab | Book Online at Offer Price |
Health Labs
| Starting from$99 |
What is a Diphtheria Titer test?
Diphtheria is another type of bacterial infection that causes serious infection of the nose and throat. A bacteria called “Corynebacterium diphtheriae” is the causing agent for this disease. A Diptheria titer test is done to identify the antibody response and helps confirms whether you’ve been vaccinated for diphtheria by testing the blood for antibodies to these viruses.
Following are some of the common symptoms of a Diptheria infection:
- A thick gray membrane covers the throat and tonsils.
- Sore throat
- Swollen glands (enlarged lymph nodes) in the neck.
- Difficulty in breathing or rapid breathing
- Nasal discharge
- Fever and chills
- Fatigue
Diphtheria Titer cost in the US
The Diphtheria Titer test costs $149 in one of our partner lab(s) located across the US. Prior appointment isn’t required. You will get the results in your email in 2 to 3 business days after completing the procedure. Our partner also provides test result interpretation, if needed.
The table below shows the titer test provider and its price. You can know more and book the test by clicking on the “Book Now” button.
Name of our Partner Lab | Book Online at Offer Price |
Health Labs
| Starting from$149 |
What is a Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) IgG Titer Test?
The Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV) is a type of herpes virus that causes both chicken pox and shingles. VZV IgG titer test is used to screen whether you have been vaccinated against the Varicella-Zoster Virus or to determine if you have already had a VZV infection in the past.
Chickenpox is characterized by itchy blisters that form a rash and can spread easily to others through direct contact with the rash or when a person with chickenpox coughs or sneezes and inhale the air droplets.
Shingles produce a very painful rash in older adults or individuals with compromised immune systems –– shingles rash appears as a stripe of blisters on the torso and the pain can persist even after the rash is gone.
This virus can also spread to babies in the womb leading to congenital heart disease in the infant.
Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) IgG Titer Test Cost in the US
Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) IgG Titer test costs $130 in one of our partner lab(s) located across the US. Prior appointment isn’t required. You will get the results in your email in 2 to 3 business days after completing the procedure. Our partner also provides test result interpretation, if needed.
The table below shows the titer test provider and its price. You can know more and book the test by clicking on the “Book Now” button.
Name of our Partner Lab | Book Online at Offer Price |
Health Labs
| Starting from$130 |
What is a Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Test?
Measles, Mumps, and Rubella are viral infections that are caused by different types of viral agents. An MMR test is a titer panel that looks for specific IgG antibodies to these diseases, which your body produces after contracting the viruses or receiving the vaccines.
What is Measles?
Measles is a disease caused by the virus called “rubeola virus”. The most commonly associated symptom with Measles is a rash of red spots starting from the head and spreading to the rest of the body. Some of the other common complications of Measles disease include ear infections or diarrhea –– Measles can also sometimes lead to severe complications like pneumonia or brain inflammation.
Symptoms of Measles include:
- Dry cough
- Fever
- Runny nose
- Red, watery eyes
- White spots on the inside of the cheek
- Rash of red spots that spread from the face and down to the rest of the body
What is Mumps?
Mumps, similar to Measles, also has a viral agent as its causing factor. Paramyxovirus causes Mumps disease that can lead to puffy cheeks and swelling and pain in one or both sides of the jaw due to swollen salivary glands. While many people may experience mild or no symptoms, complications can still sometimes occur, particularly in adults.
Symptoms of Mumps include:
- Trouble chewing
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle ache
- Fatigue
- Appetite loss
- Swollen salivary glands causing pain and swelling in the cheek or jaw
What is Rubella?
Rubella is a viral infection caused by the “rubella virus” that causes a red rash on the body. Rubella infection spreads from person to person through contact with droplets from an infected person’s sneeze or cough. This virus can also be contagious if you get in touch with someone infected by sharing food or drinks with them.
Symptoms of Rubella include:
- A mild fever (typically under 102°F)
- Swollen and pink-colored eyes
- Headache
- Swollen glands (on the neck and behind the ears)
- Stuffy, or runny nose
- Cough
Read more about Rubella here.
Cost of Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Titer Test in the US
Measles Mumps and Rubella (MMR) Titer test costs $159 in one of our partner lab(s) located across the US. Prior appointment isn’t required. You will get the results in your email in 2 to 3 business days after completing the procedure. Our partner also provides test result interpretation, if needed.
The table below shows the titer test provider and its price. You can know more and book the test by clicking on the “Book Now” button.
Name of our Partner Lab | Book Online at Offer Price |
Health Labs
| Starting from$159 |
How should you prepare for a titer test?
Generally, you do not need to take any special measures to prepare for the titer test. It’s important to tell your doctor about any prescription or nonprescription medications, dietary supplements, and vitamins you are taking because some can affect immune function. Research has shown that people who are receiving chemotherapy have a decrease in antibody levels. So, let your doctor know if you have recently undergone or are currently undergoing chemotherapy. Also, tell doctors if you have had any recent illnesses.
What happens during a titer test?
This testing requires a blood sample. Usually, the sample is drawn from a vein in your arm or some tests can also use blood obtained from a finger prick. A lab tech or healthcare professional will take a blood sample from a vein in your arm. They will tie a band around the upper part of the arm to make the vein fill with blood and swell up. And the healthcare professional will clean the area with an antiseptic and place a needle into the vein. After inserting the needle, a small amount of blood will be collected into a vial or test tube.
There can be a brief stinging sensation when the needle is inserted. After taking the blood, they will remove the needle and band. And they will put a piece of gauze and a bandage over the spot to stop the bleeding.
Risk of a titer test
There is little risk in having a titer test. You may have bruising or slight pain in the area where the needle was inserted. But these symptoms go away quickly.
What do the titer test results mean?
The normal values depend on the antibody being tested or measured. And the normal value may vary slightly among different labs. If the test is done to look for antibodies against the body tissues, the normal value would be zero or negative result. Whereas in some cases the normal level is below a specific number. And when the test is done to see if a vaccine fully protects you against a disease, the normal result depends on the specific value of that immunization.
Abnormal (positive) test results depending on the antibody being tested or measured, may indicate;
- Immune disorders like antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (aPL), hyper-IgE syndrome, or X-linked hyper-IgM syndrome
- Immune deficiency
- Viral infections
- Failure of a vaccine to fully protect a person against that particular disease
The results of the titer test should be discussed with the doctor. Most diseases can be diagnosed with appropriate antiviral medications as per your condition. And further testing may include CBC (complete blood count), quantitative measure of serum immunoglobulin levels, or peripheral blood smear.
Provider locations
A titer test can be done in any of the following locations by visiting the lab near you. To know the titer test cost, refer to the first section of the article.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
Will insurance cover my testing cost?
No, insurance will not be covered in the billing. However, they will provide you with a receipt for insurance reimbursement purposes.
How should I book my appointment?
You can choose the most suitable provider from above and make an appointment by following the instructions mentioned by them.
Can I cancel my lab test order?
Yes, you can cancel your lab test order any time before your testing. A refund will be initiated after deducting the cancellation fee. However, cancellation is at the discretion of the provider.
Do the providers offer result interpretations?
Yes, a few providers may provide doctor consultation who will take you through the results and provide clarification if needed.
How do I receive my report?
To ensure your privacy, the test report will be mailed to you by the provider.
Other topics you may also be interested in:-
- Arsenic Blood Test – Causes, Symptoms & Treatment of Arsenic poisoning
- What is BNP Blood Test? – Causes & Symptoms of High & Low BNP Levels
- What is RDW in the Blood Test?
- Causes and Symptoms of Zika Virus
- MCHC normal levels in the blood and high/low levels causes
- What is CoQ10?
- What is the Mineral Deficiency Test?
- What is GGT Blood Test & its Importance?
- ANA Test Cost in the US
- Importance of Aldosterone to Renin Ratio
- Quantiferon TB Gold Test Cost in the US
- Anti-aging Testing Cost in the US
- How much does Pancreatic Cancer Testing Cost in the US?
- Red Blood Count, RBC Blood Test Cost
- Symptoms of Gluten Intolerance
