What does iga test for

If infections are ongoing chronic , you may need to take antibiotics every day. But you can limit the spread of germs and sickness by washing your hands often and staying away from large crowds.

This is especially true during cold and flu season. Also talk with your healthcare provider about vaccines that may help prevent illness and when you should get them. If you have IgA deficiency and are worried about the risks of passing it on to your children, talk with a genetic counselor.

At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you.

Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are. Health Home Conditions and Diseases.

What causes IgA deficiency? What are the symptoms of IgA deficiency? The tests might be done as part of an evaluation for allergies or autoimmune conditions such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis , lupus , and celiac disease. Kids can eat and drink normally unless also getting other tests that require fasting beforehand.

Tell your doctor about any medicines your child takes because some drugs might affect the test results. Wearing a T-shirt or short-sleeved shirt for the test can make things easier for your child, and you also can bring along a toy or book as a distraction. Most blood tests take a small amount of blood from a vein.

To do that, a health professional will:. Sometimes immunoglobulin tests can be done with a "fingerstick" test. The health professional will clean your child's finger, then prick the tip of it with a tiny needle or lancet to collect the blood.

In babies, blood draws are sometimes done as a "heel stick collection. Collecting a sample of blood is only temporarily uncomfortable and can feel like a quick pinprick. Parents usually can stay with their child during a blood test. Encourage your child to relax and stay still because tensing muscles can make it harder to draw blood. Your child might want to look away when the needle is inserted and the blood is collected.

Help your child to relax by taking slow deep breaths or singing a favorite song. Most blood tests take just a few minutes. Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is a Blood Test? Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test? You don't need any special preparations for an immunoglobulins blood test.

Are there any risks to the test? What do the results mean? If your results show lower than normal levels of immunoglobulins, it may indicate: Kidney disease Severe burn injury Complications from diabetes Malnutrition Sepsis Leukemia If your results show higher than normal levels of immunoglobulins, it may indicate: An autoimmune disease Hepatitis Cirrhosis Mononucleosis A chronic infection A viral infection such as HIV or cytomegalovirus Multiple myeloma Non-Hodgkin lymphoma If your results are not normal, it doesn't necessarily mean you have a medical condition needing treatment.

Is there anything else I need to know about an immunglobulins blood test? References Hinkle J, Cheever K. Johns Hopkins Medicine [Internet]. Washington D. Quantitative Immunoglobulins [updated Jan 15; cited Feb 17]; [about 3 screens]. Quantitative serum immunoglobulin tests. Aust Fam Physician [Internet].