hypogamablobulinemia

My son was diagnosed with hypogamaglobulinemia a couple of years ago. We have recently moved and have a new doctor that is questioning the diagnosys.  He has low Igg levels (400), low iga levels (46), but normal igm levels(78).  He has a huge history of infections and illness and has had many surgeries from chronic sinus infections, ear infections, and mastoid problems. He has a lot of pnemonias, bronchitus (bronchitis), and asthma that leads to hospital stays. This Doctor said if he had this diagnosys his IGM level would also be low.  Is this true? Can he have a normal IGM and still have hypogamaglobulinemia? They are now testing his IGE level. How does that play into everything?

[SLadylani]

Yes. This diagnosis means all of the gamma globulins are deficient. dysgammaglobulinemia is when some of the gamma globulins are deficient, but not others. So if some of the tests are normal, but other levels are deficient, the diagnosis would be dysgammaglobulinemia. If all of the levels are low, IgE, IgM, IgG, IgA, the diagnosis would be hypogammaglobulinemia. They are both immune disorders, but in dysgammaglobulinemia it's important to find out which gamma globins are normal and which aren't. Hope that helps.

Sara RN