Immunoglobulins G Immunoassay Blood test helps to check whether an individual is having normal or abnormal levels of IgG in the blood.
Antibodies are the protective proteins produced by the immune system and known as immunoglobulins Ig. Antibodies are produced when any foreign substance or virus or bacteria enters the body. These foreign substances are known as antigens. Antibodies recognize and attach to the antigens in order to remove them from the body. There are five (5) subtypes of antibodies and they are IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD, IgE.
IgG provides long-term protection as it presents in the circulation for long period after the presence of an antigen. IgM enhances the ingestion of cells by phagocytosis. IgA is also the first defense for intestine, lungs, and nose. They bind antigens to the microbes before they invade tissues and keeps antigens in secretion and when secretion is expelled, antigens are also expelled. IgD helps in the induction of antibody production and presents on the surface of B-cells. IgE binds to the basophils and mast cells.
The doctor may ask you to undergo this test if you are suffering from symptoms such as chronic diarrhea, vomiting, shortness of breath, weakness, recurrent fever, coughing, loss of energy, severe abdominal pain, indigestion, ear infection, sore throat, etc. This test is also done if an individual is suffering from recurrent upper and lower respiratory infections, gastrointestinal infections and recurrent viral infections.
If an individual is on the treatment for immunodeficiency Immune system to fight against infections is absent or not working then the doctor may ask to perform this test to evaluate and to check the effectiveness of the treatment.
If you have been diagnosed with immunodeficiency, your doctor may advise you to get this test done once in a year based on your clinical condition. If you are a healthy individual above the age of 35, your doctor may advise you to undergo this test either on a yearly basis or every other year.
Some medications may change the levels of IgG in the blood and hence you are advised to inform all your current medications to the doctor prior to the test. Rheumatoid factor can give rise to false positive results.
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your IgG. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for IgG.
There are no specific preparations required for this test.
If the test results are lower than the normal range, then it may indicate that the individual is suffering from hypogammaglobulinemia immune disorder where all the gamma globulins are reduced, X-linked agammaglobulinemia rare genetic disorder which reduces the body’s ability to fight against the infections, goods syndrome tumour in epithelial cells of thymus along with decreased immune system function, kidney disease, Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia cancer of the lymphatic system, etc.
If the test results are higher than the normal range, then it may indicate that the individual is suffering from chronic infections, AIDs, IgG multiple myeloma cancer of a type of white blood cells, multiple sclerosis nerves damage by own immune system, long-term hepatitis, etc.
Gender | Age groups | Value |
OTHER | All age groups | 80% of total immunoglobulin |