IgA deficiency? (Quix?)

[SickMomma_PDX]

Hi everyone,

I apologize for asking a non-MS question here, but I'm sure where exactly to ask and this forum has by far been the friendliest, most helpful one I've found here on MedHelp.

I've been tested for so many things now that I've almost lost track. But the one I'm really curious about now is my IgA deficiency. I'm at about half of what the bottom level of normal is. My immunologist looked at it and said it was troubling but he doesn't know what to do about it.

I'm not sure if that means there's nothing that CAN be done about it, or if it's just something he hasn't dealt with before.

Anyway, I was hoping that maybe someone here might be familiar with it and have some words of wisdom for me.

Thank you!!

[LLWB]

Did you google the tests? From what I have read, IgA is in a group of tests run for antibodies.  It is done for allergy testing, and is a test for Celiac disease (sensitivity to wheat, gluten, etc.)  So in a sense is an allergy tests. If you go to Labtestsonline.org, you will find a complete explanation.

Maggie

[SickMomma_PDX]

Hi Maggie,

Of course I googled the test. :-)

The IgA deficiency is a form of immunodeficiency. For celiac, they often look at IgA levels of reaction to gluten. In fact, because I have an IgA deficiency, they're having to do a new round of Celiac testing looking at my IgG levels to see if I had a false negative test previously.

It's not really an allergy test, although looking at various IgA antibody levels to specific items can help identify allergies.

But allergies are a form of over-active immune system stuff, while this is saying my IgA levels are lower than they should be in general (not looking at antibodies for a specific disease or substance).

Thanks though!