Immunoglobulins Blood Test
Reviewed
This test measures the amount of immunoglobulins (antibodies) in your blood. It helps your healthcare provider diagnose conditions that may affect your immune system, such as autoimmune disorders, certain cancers, chronic infections, or genetic diseases. The test measures three main types: IgM, IgG, and IgA.
Preparation and collection
You do not need any special preparations. Tell your provider about any medicines you or your child are taking, as some can affect accuracy. Do not stop taking any medicines unless your provider tells you to.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- An immunoglobulins blood test alone cannot diagnose any conditions; abnormal results require further testing.
- Certain medicines can affect the accuracy of results.
- Abnormal immunoglobulin levels do not always mean you have a condition that needs treatment.
What to do next
If your results are not normal, your provider will likely order more tests to find out what is affecting your immune system. Additional tests may include a lumbar puncture, a saliva test, or a serum and/or urine protein electrophoresis test.
Evidence source
U.S. National Library of Medicine: Immunoglobulins Blood Test