Quantitative immunoglobulins (nephelometry)

Normal values:

• IgG: 950 to 1450 mg/dl
• IgM: 75 to 175 mg/dl
• IgA: 160 to 260 mg/dl

Note: mg/dl = milligrams per deciliter

What abnormal results mean:

Increased levels of IgG may indicate:

• chronic infection
• hyperimmunization
• IgG multiple myeloma
• liver disease
• rheumatoid arthritis
• rheumatic fever
• sarcoidosis
• severe malnutrition

Decreased levels of IgG may indicate:

• agammaglobulinemia (very rare)
• amyloidosis
• leukemia
• preeclampsia

Increased levels of IgM may indicate:

• brucellosis
• fungal infections
• infectious mononucleosis
• lymphosarcoma
• macroglobulinemia
• malaria
• rheumatoid arthritis

Decreased levels of IgM may indicate:

• agammaglobulinemia (very rare)
• amyloidosis
• leukemia
• lymphoid hyperplasia

Increased levels of IgA may indicate:

• chronic infections, especially involving the gastrointestinal tract
• inflammatory bowel disease
• rheumatic fever

Decreased levels of IgA may indicate:

• agammaglobulinemia (very rare)
• protein-losing gastroenteropathy
• hereditary IgA deficiency (1 out of 700 people)