What do immunoglobulins test for

Results may show low levels of one or more immunoglobulins. Depending on the specific kind, it may mean you have one of these problems:. Common variable immunodeficiency. This is a condition that causes the immune system to work poorly. It often shows up in young adults but may be diagnosed in children. It's marked by low IgG levels. Ataxia telangiectasia. This is a rare genetic disorder that causes the immune system to break down. It tends to be disabling and fatal by the time people reach their 20s.

Multiple myeloma and certain types of leukemia , which are types of cancer. Certain autoimmune diseases , such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Hashimoto thyroiditis. The test is done with a blood sample. A needle is used to draw blood from a vein in your arm or hand.

Having a blood test with a needle carries some risks. These include bleeding, infection, bruising, and feeling lightheaded. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am ;— Primary immunodeficiency — recurrent infections in children. Australian Doctor ;—8. Severe combined immunodeficiency: a national surveillance study. Paediatr Allergy Immunol ;— Antibody deficiencies.

In: Immunologic disorders in infants and children, 5th edn. Philadelphia: Elsevier, Patient-centred screening for primary immunodeficiency: a multi-stage diagnostic protocol for non-immunologists. The clinical syndrome of specific antibody deficiency in children.

Paraprotein interference in automated chemistry analyzers. Clin Chem ; Respiratory infections in daycare. Pediatrics ;— Search PubMed. Back to search results. Also in this issue: Workplace April Focus Work related encounters in general practice. Implications and health risks. Tendon injuries.

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Home blood pressure monitoring. A trial on the effect of a structured education program. Managing same day appointments. A qualitative study in Australian general practice. Professional The duty of GPs to follow up patients. The pre-employment medical. Ethical dilemmas for GPs. Back pages Book reviews. Clinical challenge. They are involved in allergic reactions to milk, some medicines, and some poisons. IgE antibody levels are often high in people with allergies.

IgD antibodies are found in small amounts in the tissues that line the belly or chest. How they work is not clear. 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. Check the response to immunizations to see if you are immune to the disease. Check to see if you have an infection or have had it in the past. How To Prepare You do not need to do anything before you have this test.

How It Is Done The health professional drawing blood will: Wrap an elastic band around your upper arm to stop the flow of blood. This makes the veins below the band larger so it is easier to put a needle into the vein. Clean the needle site with alcohol. Put the needle into the vein. More than one needle stick may be needed. Attach a tube to the needle to fill it with blood. Remove the band from your arm when enough blood is collected. Put a gauze pad or cotton ball over the needle site as the needle is removed.

Put pressure on the site and then put on a bandage. How It Feels The blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm.

Risks There is very little chance of a problem from having a blood sample taken from a vein. You may get a small bruise at the site. You can lower the chance of bruising by keeping pressure on the site for several minutes. In rare cases, the vein may become swollen after the blood sample is taken. This problem is called phlebitis. A warm compress can be used several times a day to treat this. 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. 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.

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. 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. How IgD works in the immune system is not clear. A high level may mean IgD multiple myeloma is present. A high level of IgE can mean a parasite infection is present. Also, high levels of IgE often 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.