Description
An immune globulin blood test measures the levels of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, and IgM) in your blood. This test can help diagnose and monitor conditions that affect your immune system, such as infections, allergies, and autoimmune disorders.
Why it's done
- To check for infections, allergies, or autoimmune disorders
- To diagnose immunodeficiencies, which occur when your immune system isn't working properly
- To monitor disease progression
- To check the effectiveness of treatments for certain cancers or infections
- To check if you're immune to a disease after vaccination
What it can show
- Low levels: Your immune system may not be working as well as it should. This could be due to a genetic condition, malnutrition, or kidney disease
- High levels: You may have an infection, autoimmune disease, or certain types of cancer
Conditions it can help diagnose
- Autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and celiac disease
- Infections like syphilis or toxoplasmosis
- Certain types of cancer, like multiple myeloma, lymphoma, or leukemia
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Nutritional problems
Fasting not required.
