Immunoglobulin blood test

[MeaganM]

Has anyone here had an Immunoglobulin blood test? Am I correct in assuming that it checks for the overall condition of the immune system and can determine if a person has an autoimmune disease? I will be tested for IgA, IgG, IgM, and IgE... will this show if my immune system is overreacting in certain areas of my body?

[sammy]

megan, I have had every blood test possible and they tell me I have great blood. go figure. Is this is the same as hemoglobin i see thats listed on my test sheet that I need to go have done. sammy

[Baraka Obam]

I have had the auto immunity test, the test showed me to be a little higher on the chart for auto immune responce than a certain percentage than the rest of people tested.

It was not too high, also this was before the lesions popped so, question is, would the test results be higher when the body outed the lesion/TUMOR.

Would the body immunity be working better at that point, would the test reveal that the body was attacking itself more or less.

Does the test take into account that your whole body at this point is invaded with this pathogen and that is what is being attacked.

Because they do not know of this hidden pathogen they can not see that the immune system is attacking the pathogen, they assume it would be the body attacking itself, that would be a simplistic cave man sort of thinking and a wrong assumtion. Immune systems abilitys has been honed over eons to every pathogen on this planet.

[MeaganM]

I guess that is what I was asking... is this the test that they use for autoimmune diseases? Does each one test a certain type of the body like the lungs? So if, lets say, the IgG came back high but the rest were normal, would that mean that the immune system is acting up in a certain part of the body? Is it the same as the test that Sammy is getting? I don't know much about blood test and am confused about this one. Any info on it would be great.

I agree BO that it's not our immune system attacking itself but I would like to know if my immune system is overreacting and all the other tests like Sed Rate, RA, ANA, etc... have been normal. I was hoping that this test is more accurate. I read that they use it to identify if a pathogen is attacking the body as well but would like to know this for sure.

[tcmgpt13]

Immunoglobulin tests are run to detect disease processes which may be going on in the body. Immunglobulins are also known as antibodies. Values which are either high or low may lead to other testing to refine what exactly might be going on with a patient healthwise. There are some fairly serious diseases (multiple myeloma, leukemia) associated with values that are out of range in either direction so I imagine the doctor runs these tests to make sure there is not some hidden disease process going on with a patient. These tests are also used to rule in or out something like rheumatoid arthritis associated with joint pain and inflammation or celiac disease. Or to see if allergies are involved with a patient's symptoms. Here's webMD's discussion of this test:

Immunoglobulins

An immunoglobulins test is done to measure the level of immunoglobulins, also known as antibodies, in your blood.

Antibodies are substances made by the body's immune system in response to bacteria, viruses, fungus, animal dander, or cancer cells. Antibodies attach to the foreign substances so the immune system can destroy them. See a picture of the immune system camera.

Antibodies are specific to each type of foreign substance. For example, antibodies made in response to a tuberculosis infection attach only to tuberculosis bacteria. Antibodies also work in allergic reactions. Occasionally, antibodies may be made against your own tissues. This is called an autoimmune disease.

If your immune system makes low levels of antibodies, you may have a higher chance of developing repeated infections. You can be born with an immune system that makes low levels of antibodies, or your system may make low levels of antibodies in response to certain diseases, such as cancer.

The five major types of antibodies are:

IgA. IgA antibodies are found in areas of the body such the nose, breathing passages, digestive tract, ears, eyes, and vagina. IgA antibodies protect body surfaces that are exposed to outside foreign substances. This type of antibody is also found in saliva, tears, and blood. About 10% to 15% of the antibodies present in the body are IgA antibodies. A small number of people do not make IgA antibodies.

IgG. IgG antibodies are found in all body fluids. They are the smallest but most common antibody (75% to 80%) of all the antibodies in the body. IgG antibodies are very important in fighting bacterial and viral infections. IgG antibodies are the only type of antibody that can cross the placenta in a pregnant woman to help protect her baby (fetus).

IgM. IgM antibodies are the largest antibody. They are found in blood and lymph fluid and are the first type of antibody made in response to an infection. They also cause other immune system cells to destroy foreign substances. IgM antibodies are about 5% to 10% of all the antibodies in the body.

IgE. IgE antibodies are found in the lungs, skin, and mucous membranes. They cause the body to react against foreign substances such as pollen, fungus spores, and animal dander. They may occur in allergic reactions to milk, some medicines, and some poisons. IgE antibody levels are often high in people with allergies.

IgD. IgD antibodies are found in small amounts in the tissues that line the belly or chest. How they work is not clear.

The levels of each type of antibody can give your doctor information about the cause of a medical problem. Why It Is Done

A test for immunoglobulins (antibodies) in the blood is done to:

Find certain autoimmune diseases or allergies. Find certain types of cancer (such as multiple myeloma or macroglobulinemia). See whether recurring infections are caused by a low level of immunoglobulins (especially IgG). Check the treatment for certain types of cancer affecting the bone marrow. Check the treatment for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria. Check the response to immunizations to see if you are immune to the disease.

This test is often done when the results of a blood protein electrophoresis or total blood protein test are abnormal.

Results

An immunoglobulins test is done to measure the level of immunoglobulins, also known as antibodies, in your blood. Normal

The normal values listed here-called a reference range-are just a guide. These ranges vary from lab to lab, and your lab may have a different range for what’s normal. Your lab report should contain the range your lab uses. Also, your doctor will evaluate your results based on your health and other factors. This means that a value that falls outside the normal values listed here may still be normal for you or your lab.

The results listed below are normal values for adults. Children have different values than adults. Results are ready in several days.

Normal Range Adult Immunoglobulins :

IgA85-385 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)

IgG 565-1765 mg/dL

IgM 55-375 mg/dL

High values

IgA. High levels of IgA may mean monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) or multiple myeloma is present. Levels of IgA also get higher in some autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and in liver diseases, such as cirrhosis and long-term (chronic) hepatitis.

IgG. High levels of IgG may mean a long-term (chronic) infection, such as AIDS, is present. Levels of IgG also get higher in IgG multiple myeloma, long-term hepatitis, and multiple sclerosis (MS). In multiple myeloma, tumor cells make only one type of IgG antibody (monoclonal); the other conditions cause an increase in many types of IgG antibodies (polyclonal).

IgM. High levels of IgM can mean macroglobulinemia, early viral hepatitis, mononucleosis, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney damage (nephrotic syndrome), or a parasite infection is present. Because IgM antibodies are the type that form when an infection occurs for the first time, high levels of IgM can mean a new infection is present. High levels of IgM in a newborn mean that the baby has an infection that started in the uterus before delivery.

IgD. How IgD works in the immune system is not clear. A high level may mean IgD multiple myeloma. IgD multiple myeloma is much less common than IgA or IgG multiple myeloma.

IgE. A high level of IgE can mean a parasite infection is present. Also, high levels of IgE are found in people who have allergic reactions, asthma, atopic dermatitis, some types of cancer, and certain autoimmune diseases. In rare cases, a high level of IgE may mean IgE multiple myeloma.

Low values

IgA. Some people are born with low or absent levels of IgA antibodies. Low levels of IgA occur in some types of leukemia, kidney damage (nephrotic syndrome), a problem with the intestines (enteropathy), and a rare inherited disease that affects muscle coordination (ataxia-telangiectasia). This increases their chances of developing an autoimmune disease.

IgG. Low levels of IgG occur in macroglobulinemia. In this disease, the high levels of IgM antibodies stop the growth of cells that make IgG. Other conditions that can cause low levels of IgG include some types of leukemia and a type of kidney damage (nephrotic syndrome). In rare cases, some people are born with a lack of IgG antibodies. These people are more likely to develop infections.

IgM. Low levels of IgM occur in multiple myeloma, some types of leukemia, and in some inherited types of immune diseases.

IgE. Low levels of IgE can occur in a rare inherited disease that affects muscle coordination (ataxia-telangiectasia).

Immunoglobulins: What Affects the Test

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

Taking certain medicines. Be sure your doctor knows all of the medicines you take. Some medicines that affect test results include ones used for birth control, heart failure, seizures, and rheumatoid arthritis. Having cancer treatments, both radiation and chemotherapy. Receiving a blood transfusion in the past 6 months. Getting vaccinations (immunizations), especially vaccinations with repeat (booster) doses, in the past 6 months. Using alcohol or illegal drugs. Having a radioactive scan in the past 3 days.

What To Think About

Immunoglobulins are made specific to different illnesses. For example, the IgM antibody for mononucleosis is different than the IgM for herpes. For this reason, a doctor can look for an immunoglobulin to a specific illness to help diagnose that illness.

Different antibodies can be used to help a doctor tell the difference between a new and past infection. For example, IgM antibodies for mononucleosis with or without IgG antibodies means a new mono infection. IgG antibodies without IgM means a past mono infection.

People with very low immunoglobulin levels, especially IgA, IgG, and IgM, have a higher chance of developing an infection.

A very small number of people cannot make IgA and have a higher chance of developing a potentially life-threatening reaction to a blood transfusion.

An immunoglobulin test is often done when the results of a blood protein electrophoresis or total blood protein test are abnormal. For more information, see the topics Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP) and Total Serum Protein.

webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/immunoglobulins

[MeaganM]

Thank you TCM for the great info. It was very informative! I wonder why this blood test is not standard?

I still have a question though and this is what confuses me...

Immunoglobulins are made specific to different illnesses. For example, the IgM antibody for mononucleosis is different than the IgM for herpes. For this reason, a doctor can look for an immunoglobulin to a specific illness to help diagnose that illness.

I have had specific blood tests for things like CMV, Parvo, EBV, etc... which came back as high IgG but negative IgM so I was told that it was a past infection. I was told that IgG means past infection and IgM was a present infection.

My question is... When my doctor ordered these tests for Parvo, EBV, CMV, etc... did he order the Immuoglobulin test (mentioned above) and this is what came up or did he specifically order these tests individually? In other words, will the results come back saying just high or low or will it say something like Parvo high or low? Does that make sense? Is the one mentioned above just a basic test to see if you are producing antibodies but you need other specific tests to tell you what is causing them?

Also, since it mentions detecting parasite infections, I am curious if this comes back positive with Morgellons sufferers?

[tcmgpt13]

I know what you mean Meagan as in the past (quite a few years ago now) I was tested for EBV and tested quite high, but it was the IgG which showed up so my doctor, who is quite a good allergist, did not treat that as that's how he viewed it too (an old,non active infection). Also back then I did have a high eosinophil count (which could mean allergies, but also parasites), but now I am on the low side for that when the blood is tested. I now wonder if that means the parasites have gone underground, as they do, to escape detection. They are quite capable of changing their makeup in this way, in order to hide from the immune system. I am so sorry that so many folks who were more knowledgeable in the area of tests and what they mean have been run off the site because they tired of being regularly attacked.

I am not sure, but I believe that different epitopes can make IgM or any of the other Ig's differ from infection to infection.

Definition of epitope:

A localized region on the surface of an antigen that is capable of eliciting an immune response and of combining with a specific antibody to counter that response.

So I imagine since epitopes can change with infections (to include the ability to change even the body's response to the same infection) this could be one reason why the IgM would differ according to the infection. I am sorry our more technical people are now among the missing here, like 2manyfibers who understood most of these questions and could break down into simple and easily understood English most of the answers to such questions.

I do know that viruses are able to hide by changing their outer surface structure, so I assume that this is similar to what epitopes do with the immune system. Evidently parasites can change themselves to elude detection and I am sure that all the other infections we have do much the same.

[MeaganM]

Yeah, it is a shame. I guess I will find out soon enough since I had the test today. I wonder if it will show high IgG since I've had several past infections and what the docs will say about it. Thanks for your responses.

I'm trying to get as many tests done as possible before Obamacare becomes completely effective. It's already affected our health-care insurance and has cost me money that we can't afford. I fear what will happen next year.

FYI for anyone who has the military insurance, Tricare. You might want to know that you can no longer go to an Urgent Care without a referral from your doctor. So if you have an urgent need but not an emergency and you cannot get in to see your doctor, go to the ER (that's what I was told). I'm not sure how that saves money but, apparently because of Obamacare it's now part of their policy. My son had a 104 fever and was vomiting/dehydrated and I was supposed to get his doctor to put in a referral for the Urgent Care after he couldn't be seen. Now I owe a lot of money because he needed fluids.

[tcmgpt13]

Hi Meagan, I am sorry to hear how that new Tricare rule cost you so much money. I heard that it only affects those on Tricare Prime so far. It is awful what these people in Washington have done/are doing to the whole US health care system, all so they can start paying for health care for those who are not even citizens of this country (along with free education all the way through college, all paid for with our tax dollars which many of them do not even pay into the system). The other reason I am sure is to refuse health care to the elderly as this current group in Washington is anxious to reduce the world population, but especially so in the developed world where aging populations need too much of the money for social security/health care, money they no doubt see as theirs. I read the chief one in charge admires the Canadian health care system, the same way he admires the way Canadians make buses.

Well, I do not think the average citizen will feel the same way he does about a lot of this when this style health care arrives full force in the US. I imagine the Canadians who come to the US to get decent health care are not too happy either about the way US health care is shaping up these days. So many die in Canada and UK because they do not receive timely care. Many needlessly die of breast and prostate cancer because operations are postponed for months and months in these countries. Those who can afford it come here to pay for their care. Soon we will be like them for many doctors will quit if they are forced onto the salaries that are allowed under such a system. I agree. I do not like to think of what will happen in the near future if this group continues to control what's going on with this and so many other issues affecting the country too (like the demise of the space program--China and/or Russia controlling space, now there's a scary scenario). I suggest that anyone who can learn all that s/he can about herbal medicine and buy some basic books in this area as someday soon that may be the only care readily available to the poor which will soon be most of us as the middle class is disappearing at an alarming rate.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see how your testing goes and to hear what the doctor has to say about it too.

[Gator]

Thanks tcm for the very informative information. Thanks to all of you for a great discussion.

I think I need all of these tests. Have to find a doc that will do them. That is not easy in the State of Alabama even though we have a world renouned Medical School and Hospital here.

tcm, check this out if you can, Senator Durbin has a bill before the Senate S3010 I think to get rid of herbals except those that will be under control of Big Pharma. They say for safety reasons. Are drugs safe? Right now the ones I am taking because of the stents are killing me and changing my personality for the worse. How many millions have died from pharmeceuticals? how many from herbs? Safety of herbs is not the real issue here, I think it is pure greed. Don't you?

I am very interested in any testing anyone has and the results.