Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood draw from your arm
- Fasting: No fasting required
- Turn-around: 2-5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Verify immunity status without needing a doctor's visit or medical records
- Meet requirements for school, work, healthcare, or travel documentation quickly
- Avoid unnecessary vaccinations by confirming your current protection levels
- Fast, confidential results delivered securely online within days
- Peace of mind knowing your tetanus immunity status before high-risk activities
Who Is This Test For?
- Healthcare workers requiring proof of immunization for employment
- Students needing vaccination records for school or university enrollment
- Travelers visiting areas with higher tetanus exposure risk
- Adults with uncertain vaccination history or missing medical records
- People over 65 where immunity naturally wanes over time
- Anyone due for a booster but unsure if vaccination is needed
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online and visit any partner lab location near you
- Quick blood draw takes just minutes with no special preparation
- Receive secure results online within 2-5 business days
FAQ
What does this test measure? It measures tetanus antibodies (IgG) in your blood to determine if you have protective immunity.
How accurate is this test? Modern immunoassays have up to 96.5% sensitivity for detecting protective antibody levels (Abbott/SD BIOLINE 2024).
What if my results show low immunity? You'll need a tetanus booster shot, which your healthcare provider can administer.
How long does tetanus immunity last? The CDC recommends boosters every 10 years, as immunity naturally decreases over time (CDC 2023).
Can I get this test if I'm not sure about my vaccination history? Yes, this test is perfect for people with unknown or incomplete vaccination records.
Do I need a doctor's order? No, you can order this test directly online without a physician referral.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
This test measures the level of tetanus antibodies in your blood to determine if you have protective immunity against tetanus. Tetanus is a potentially fatal disease caused by Clostridium tetani bacteria that can enter the body through wounds and produce toxins causing severe muscle spasms, including "lockjaw" (Mayo Clinic 2024). The test helps you understand whether you need a booster vaccination.
Who would benefit from this test?
Anyone with uncertain vaccination status should consider this test. Healthcare workers, students, and travelers often need documented proof of immunity. People at higher risk of wounds or exposure, those over 65 (where only 55% maintain protective levels), and individuals with incomplete medical records particularly benefit from knowing their immunity status (CDC 2023).
When should I order a Tetanus Titer Blood Test?
Order this test if you're unsure about your last tetanus vaccine, need proof of immunity for school or work requirements, or after a high-risk injury. It's also valuable before travel to areas with limited medical care, prior to surgery, or when monitoring immunity in immunocompromised individuals (Johns Hopkins Medicine 2023).
How do I interpret the results?
Antibody Level ≥ 0.1 IU/mL
- What it means: Protective immunity
- Typical action: No immediate vaccination needed
Antibody Level < 0.1 IU/mL
- What it means: Non-protective / Low immunity
- Typical action: Booster vaccination recommended
Tetanus remains rare in the U.S. with about 30 cases annually, but the case-fatality rate can reach 13.2% in unvaccinated individuals.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
No special preparation is required for this test. You don't need to fast or adjust any medications. Simply schedule your appointment and have your blood drawn at any partner lab location (University of Rochester Medical Center 2024).
How often should I get tested?
- Here is the information converted into bullet points:
- General adult population: Suggested interval: Every 10 years with booster
- Healthcare workers: Suggested interval: Per employer requirements
- High-risk occupations: Suggested interval: Every 5–10 years
- After injury/wound: Suggested interval: If more than 5 years since last vaccine
Why early detection matters
Tetanus prevention through vaccination is nearly 100% effective, but immunity wanes over time. Early detection of low antibody levels allows for timely booster vaccination before exposure risk. Since tetanus spores are everywhere in the environment and the disease has no cure once contracted, maintaining protective immunity is crucial for preventing this potentially fatal condition (CDC 2023).
Related tests you may consider
TDap Titer Blood Test Paneldetects antibodies and helps determine if an individual has been vaccinated against or previously infected by tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis.
Hepatitis B Surface Antibody Blood Test, Quantitative checks if your body has made enough protective antibodies against Hepatitis B, which can happen after vaccination or past infection, helping doctors see if you’re immune or need more protection.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Immunity Profile Blood Test detects antibodies to common infectious diseases, such as measles, mumps, and rubella, to help confirm immunity.
