IMMUNOGLOBULIN IgM
Description
- 0.4-2.3 g/l
Clinical significance
- Immunoglobulins are formed by plasma cells as a humoral immune response to contact of the immune system with antigens. The first time a person is infected or exposed to a foreign substance, the immune system recognizes the micro organism and stimulates plasma cells to produce specific immunoglobulin called antibodies that bind to and neutralize the threat
- With subsequent exposures the immune system remembers the antigen that was encountered which allows for production of more antibodies and help prevent re- infection
- There are five classes of immunoglobulins viz. IgM, IgG , IgA, IgD, IgE . The primary reaction after the initial contact is the formation of antibodies of the IgM class followed later by IgG and also IgA
- A test for Immunoglobulins is used to detect an excess or deficiency in the three major classes of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA and IgM)
- IgM antibodies are produced as a body’s first response to a new infection or to a new non self antigen providing short term protection. They Increase for several weeks and then decline as IgG production begins
When to get tested
- When a person has symptoms of immunoglobulin deficiency such as recurrent infections, especially of the respiratory tract or digestive system and/or chronic diarrhoea
- When a person has signs of chronic inflammation or chronic infection
Elevated level
- Infectious mononucleosis
- Lymphosarcoma
- Macroglobulinemia
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Decreased level
- Agammaglobulinemia
- Amyloidosis
- Leukemia
Profile
ALL TEST
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