What does a high level of immunoglobulin M blood test mean?!
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Answers:
It could be the early signs of an infection because Immunoglobulin M (IgM) is the first antibody produced an infection if the person has never been exposed to that particular infection. Next the immune system produces IgG and creates a memory for that infection. The next time the person is infected by that virus or bacteria the immune system will only produce IgG.
Seeing as IgM is produced predomiately in early stages of a new infection I would say this should be the first assumption.
Other Answers:
An immunoglobulins test is done to measure the level of immunoglobulins, also known as antibodies, in your blood.
Antibodies are substances produced by the body's immune system in response to bacteria, viruses, or other foreign substances, such as fungus, animal dander, or cancer cells. Antibodies attach to the foreign substances, causing them to be destroyed by other immune system cells. See an illustration of the immune system.
Antibodies are usually specific to each type of foreign substance. For example, antibodies produced in response to a tuberculosis infection attach only to tuberculosis bacteria. Antibodies also play a role in allergic reactions. Occasionally antibodies may be produced against a person's own tissues. This is called an autoimmune disease.
A person whose immune system produces low levels of antibodies may be at an increased risk of developing repeated infections. A person may be born with an immune system that produces low levels of antibodies, or the immune system may produce low levels of antibodies in response to certain diseases, such as cancer.
IgM. IgM antibodies are the largest type of antibody. They are found in blood and lymph fluid and are the first type of antibody produced in response to an infection. They also cause other immune system cells to produce compounds that can destroy invading cells. IgM antibodies normally comprise about 5% to 10% of all the antibodies in the body.
A test for immunoglobulins (antibodies) in the blood is done to:
Diagnose certain autoimmune diseases or allergies.
Diagnose certain types of cancer (such as multiple myeloma or macroglobulinemia) that affect immunoglobulin levels in distinctive ways.
Determine whether recurring infections are due to a low level of immunoglobulins (especially IgG).
Monitor treatment for certain types of cancer affecting the bone marrow.
Monitor treatment for Helicobacter pylori bacteria.
Monitor responses to immunizations to determine whether immunity is present.
This test is often done when the results of a protein electrophoresis or total blood protein test are abnormal.
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