Name |
Immunoglobulin A (IgA) |
Alternative name/Profile |
IgA, GAM, ELEC, Serum Protein Electrophoresis (SPEP), Multiple Myeloma (MM), Bence Jones Protein (BJP), Free light chains, FKFL, IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, FKC, FLC, Immunoglobulins, Paraprotein, Monoclonal Gammopathy of Unknown Significance (MGUS) |
Department |
Immunology |
Investigation |
Turbidimetry (Roche cobas 6000) |
Specimen type |
Clotted blood
|
Sample type |
Serum |
Sample container & volume |
5ml Red. |
Frequency of analysis |
Daily Monday to Friday |
Turnaround time |
7 days
|
Availability |
|
Notes |
Useful for:
- Detecting and monitoring monoclonal gammopathies
- Detecting and monitoring immunodeficienies
Clinical Information:
- Immunoglobulin A (IgA) represents about 15% of normal serum immunoglobulin.
- Levels of IgA may be raised due to a polyclonal production of antibody in reponce to infection. Elevated levels of IgA can also be due to a monoclonal production of antibody. Monoclonal production of IgA antibody is a characteristic of Multiple Myeloma or a Monoclonal Gammopathy of Unknown Significance (MGUS).
- Decreased levels of IgA are found in patients with both primary and secondary immunodeficiencies.
Please note:
- As electrophoresis is required to distinguish monoclonal from polyclonal IgA production, all samples for IgA levels also have electrophoresis performed.
- As a monoclonal production of another immunoglobulin may cause a secondary immunodeficiency of IgA, all requests for IgA levels also have IgG and IgM levels measured.
- IgA levels should not be used to monitor a monoclonal protein as there may be background polyclonal IgA. Therefore electrophoreseis is used as a tool to monitor monoclonal protein.
- Where External Institiutions cannot guarantee immediate delivery, samples must be centrifuged, separated and stored at 4oC. Samples can then be transported, as soon as possible, to St. James's Hospital for processing.
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Related links |
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Reference range |
| Age |
IgG (g/L) |
IgA (g/L) |
IgM (g/L) |
| 0-2 Weeks |
5-17 |
0.01-0.08 |
0.05-0.22 |
| 2-6 Weeks |
3.9-13 |
0.02-0.15 |
0.08-0.4 |
| 6-12 Weeks |
2.1-7.7 |
0.05-0.40 |
0.15-0.7 |
| 3-6 Months |
2.4-8.8 |
0.10-0.5 |
0.2-1 |
| 6-9 Months |
3-9 |
0.15-0.7 |
0.4-1.6 |
| 9-12 Months |
3-10.9 |
0.2-0.7 |
0.6-2.1 |
| 1-2 Years |
3.1-13.8 |
0.3-1.2 |
0.5-2.2 |
| 2-3 Years |
3.7-15.8 |
0.3-1.3 |
0.5-2.2 |
| 3-6 Years |
4.9-16.1 |
0.4-2 |
0.5-2 |
| 6-9 Years |
5.4-16.1 |
0.5-2.4 |
0.5-1.8 |
| 9-12 Years |
5.4-16.1 |
0.7-2.5 |
0.5-1.8 |
| 12-15 Years |
5.4-16.1 |
0.8-2.8 |
0.5-1.9 |
| Adult |
6.26-14.96 |
0.62-2.9 |
0.47-1.82 |
Adult reference ranges validated in-house 2009.
Age-Related Reference Ranges sourced from the Protein Reference Unit, Sheffield and last updated 2007.
|
SJH Patients Only |
No |
Last updated |
Tue, 09 Jun 2020 15:43:44 BST |
