Immunoglobulin A Test - IgA

Immunoglobulins A Immunoassay Blood test helps to check whether an individual is having normal or abnormal levels of IgA in the blood. The immunoglobulin test checks the problem with the immune system. Sometimes our body makes too many or too few immunoglobulins due to different conditions. Few immunoglobulins in our blood cause infections. While too many leads to allergies or an overactive immune system. Immunoglobulin (Ig) is a protein that works as an antibody. Plasma cells and lymphocytes are responsible for its production. Immunoglobulins play an important role in the immune system of the body. They help in destroying foreign substances like bacteria, viruses, etc. Immunoglobulins can live either on the edges of the cells or move freely in the blood. Circulating immunoglobulins are antibodies. There are five Immunoglobulin types. They are IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and IgM. Each Isotope has different properties and the ability to fight with specific antigens. IgA is found in the gut, saliva, tears, breast milk, respiratory tract, etc. mucosal area and helps in the prevention of pathogen colony. IgA makes up 15% of the total antibodies. Your consulting physician may prescribe an IgA test to diagnose issues with the immune system. IgA tests are also done for the diagnosis of recurrent infections, especially of the lungs, stomach, sinuses, intestines or chronic diarrhoea. IgA tests are also prescribed to people suffering from HIV/AIDS or multiple myeloma. IgA test results help to identify the autoimmune conditions in which the body makes antibodies against healthy tissues mistakenly, such as arthritis, lupus and celiac disease. Zero or low levels of IgA puts the patient at higher risk for autoimmune conditions, infections, allergies and asthma. IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) is another such condition in which IgA deposits in the kidney, causing end-stage renal failure. The prevalence and outcomes of IgAN are highly variable when compared between different parts of the world. IgAN is a serious problem in India owing to its higher prevalence in Asia, especially India. Few studies show the prevalence of IgA nephropathy in the southern part of India. When compared with the data from the rest of the world, the results of patients from India are alarming and saddening, almost 50%, which is a burden in itself.