Antibody Tests (Coombs Test)

Coombs' Test, Indirect Coombs' Test

What Affects the Test

Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include:

• Having a blood transfusion in the past.
• Having a dextran injection, or a recent X-ray with contrast material given in a vein (intravenously, or IV).
• Being pregnant in the past 3 months.
• Taking some medicines, such as cephalosporins, sulfa medicines, tuberculosis medicines, insulin, and tetracyclines.

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS	Last Updated: June 12, 2008
Medical Review:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine W. David Colby IV, MSc, MD, FRCPC - Infectious Disease
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