What does igg do

Doctors may check immunoglobulin levels to see if a person has an infection or is protected from getting an infection is immune to it. Doctors also use immunoglobulin tests to help diagnose immunodeficiencies when the immune system isn't working as it should. Doctors may suspect an immunodeficiency in a child who gets a lot of infections or unusual infections. The tests might be done as part of an evaluation for allergies or autoimmune conditions such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis , lupus , and celiac disease.

Kids can eat and drink normally unless also getting other tests that require fasting beforehand. Tell your doctor about any medicines your child takes because some drugs might affect the test results. Wearing a T-shirt or short-sleeved shirt for the test can make things easier for your child, and you also can bring along a toy or book as a distraction. Most blood tests take a small amount of blood from a vein.

To do that, a health professional will:. Sometimes immunoglobulin tests can be done with a "fingerstick" test. The health professional will clean your child's finger, then prick the tip of it with a tiny needle or lancet to collect the blood. In babies, blood draws are sometimes done as a "heel stick collection. Collecting a sample of blood is only temporarily uncomfortable and can feel like a quick pinprick.

Parents usually can stay with their child during a blood test. Encourage your child to relax and stay still because tensing muscles can make it harder to draw blood. Your child might want to look away when the needle is inserted and the blood is collected.

Help your child to relax by taking slow deep breaths or singing a favorite song. Most blood tests take just a few minutes. Sometimes, it can be hard to find a vein, so the health professional may need to try more than once. The health professional will remove the elastic band and the needle and cover the area with cotton or a bandage to stop the bleeding. 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. A low level of IgA increases the chance of developing an autoimmune disease. 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. Low levels of IgM occur in multiple myeloma, some types of leukemia, and in some inherited types of immune diseases. Low levels of IgE can occur in a rare inherited disease that affects muscle coordination ataxia-telangiectasia.

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 had 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. Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests , 8th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures, 5th ed. Louis: Saunders. Manual of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests, 8th ed. Mosby's Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests, 4th ed. Louis: Mosby Elsevier. Credits Current as of: September 23, Previous Section: References Top of the page.

This usually takes less than five minutes. There is very little risk to having a blood test. You may have slight pain or bruising at the spot where the needle was put in, but most symptoms go away quickly. If your results are not normal, it doesn't necessarily mean you have a medical condition needing treatment.

The use of certain medicines, alcohol, and recreational drugs can affect your results. If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.

Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results. Your health care provider may order other tests to help make a diagnosis.

These tests might include urinalysis , other blood tests, or a procedure called a spinal tap. During a spinal tap, a health care provider will use a special needle to remove a sample of a clear liquid, called cerebrospinal fluid, from your back.

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

Immunoglobulins Blood Test. What is an immunoglobulins blood test? What is it used for? An immunoglobulins blood test may be used to help diagnose a variety of conditions, including: Bacterial or viral infections Immunodeficiency, a condition that reduces the body's ability to fight infections and other diseases An autoimmune disorder , such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.