Immunoglobulin - IgM

Immunoglobulins are proteins in your body, which fight against bacteria, viruses, and other toxic invaders that can attack your immune system. The plasma cells in your body create these antibodies, which activate at different stages of the immune response.

There are four major types of immunoglobulin antibodies:

• Immunoglobulin A (IgA)
• Immunoglobulin G (IgG)
• Immunoglobulin M (IgM)
• Immunoglobulin E (IgE)

These antibodies are present in different locations and have a slight variation in their function.
Your doctor can recommend undergoing a test for immunoglobulin check under the following circumstances:

• You have recurring infections
• There is an unexplained weight loss
• The doctor needs to assess your immunity
• You are facing symptoms of an allergy
• The doctor suspects deficiency of a particular antibody

IgM antibodies play a specific role in your immune system’s response among the different subclasses. An Immunoglobulin IgM test detects the activation and levels of these antibodies in your blood.

Notably, IgM antibodies are present in the lymph fluid and blood. These antibodies are the first proteins to become active when your body is under attack from new germs or bacteria. Hence, you can have high IgM levels after facing a foreign invader right after the infection.

The levels of IgM antibodies begin to decline after the production of IgG proteins. Your doctor can recommend a special immunoglobulin blood test to evaluate the quantity of an antibody in your blood.

A custom test for immunoglobulin check involves a simple blood test that can give the following outcomes:

• IgM negative result
• IgM positive result

A negative test result signifies the absence of IgM in your body. This report implies that you do not have an active infection. However, a positive result in the immunoglobulin M test signifies an ongoing infection.

Your doctor can also analyse the reports to determine low or high IgM levels. Low levels imply a deficiency in IgM antibodies. On the contrary, higher than normal IgM levels can indicate a severe active infection. After assessing these results, your doctor can suggest appropriate treatment.

Here are some specific conditions that can require an Immunoglobulin IgM test:

• IgM deficiency
• Lack of IgG levels
• Gastrointestinal tract infections
• Pneumonia
• Sinusitis

Overall, you might need to give a blood sample and undergo a test for immunoglobulin antibody evaluation. Your doctor can either recommend a full immunoglobulin blood test panel or an individual antibody assessment. Regardless, choosing a medical lab that can offer both types of blood tests is crucial.

An immunoglobulin blood test does not require any special preparation. A lab professional will use a sterilised needle to draw blood from a vein in your arm. Hence, you can experience mild pain or dizziness during the testing. Apollo 24|7 offers a customised immunoglobulin M test at competitive rates. So, ensure that you follow the doctor’s advice and avail the reports in time.