A 35-year-old member asked:
What does it mean if your immunoglobulin m is elevated?
1 doctor answer • 6 doctors weighed in
Dr. Steven Machtingeranswered
Allergy and Immunology 44 years experience
Depends: If IgM is elevated but IgA & igg are decreased then you have a significant immunodeficiency called hyper IgM syndrome. Other causes of elevated IgM include monoclonal gammopathy and multiple myeloma. Never ignore the possibility of a lab error - the next test to do is to repeat the IgM level.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
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A 41-year-old member asked:
What if your immunoglobulin m is elevated? Does it mean an infection?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Steven Machtingeranswered
Allergy and Immunology 44 years experience
Depends: Igm & ige are the first antibodies to rise in the face of infection. As the body refines its immune response IgA & igg antibodies specific for the infecting agent are produced while specific IgM levels fall. Rarely does the IgM response to an infection raise the total amount of igm. Exceptions are congenital infections. High total IgM in adults suggest autoimmune disease or malignancy.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Sep 5, 2015
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