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A Low IgG Level: Overview
IgG stands for immunoglobulin G, one of the classes of immunoglobulins (also called antibodies) that are in the blood. IgG is the major antibody found in the blood that can enter tissues. It coats germs, helping other cells to seek and destroy them.
Causes & Development
Low levels of IgG occur in macroglobulinemia. In this disease, the high levels of IgM antibodies suppress the growth of cells that produce IgG. Other conditions that can result in low levels of IgG include some types of leukemia and a type of kidney damage (nephrotic syndrome). Rarely, some people are born with a deficiency of IgG antibodies. These people are more susceptible to infections. Diagnosis & Tests
The 'low', 'normal' and 'high' ranges vary with age, and are also lab-specific. However, a reasonable normal range is 620-1400 mg/ dl.
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GLOSSARY
Antibody (Antibodies)
A type of serum protein (globulin) synthesized by white blood cells of the lymphoid type in response to an antigenic (foreign substance) stimulus. Antibodies are complex substances formed to neutralize or destroy these antigens in the blood. Antibody activity normally fights infection but can be damaging in allergies and a group of diseases that are called autoimmune diseases.
Deciliter (dL)
0.1 or one tenth of a liter.
Kidneys (Kidney, Renal)
Bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They are located near the middle of the back, just below the rib cage. The kidneys are sophisticated reprocessing machines, each day handling about 50 gallons of blood to sift out about half a gallon of waste products and extra water. The waste and extra water become urine, which flows to the bladder through tubes called ureters. The actual filtering occurs in tiny units inside the kidneys called nephrons. Every kidney has about a million nephrons. In a nephron, a glomerulus -- which is a tiny blood vessel, or capillary -- intertwines with a tiny urine-collecting tube called a tubule. A complicated chemical exchange takes place, as waste materials and water leave your blood and enter your urinary system. The kidneys recycle chemicals such as sodium, phosphorus, and potassium and thus regulate their levels. Renal: Pertaining to the kidneys.
Leukemia
Cancer of the lymph glands and bone marrow resulting in overproduction of white blood cells (related to Hodgkin's disease).
Milligram (mg, Milligrams)
0.001 or a thousandth of a gram.
Syndrome
A medical condition characterized by a collection of related symptoms (what the patient feels) and signs (what a doctor can observe or measure).
Last updated: Jul 20, 2010
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