What is S-IgM?
The S-IgM test checks the levels of antibodies called immunoglobulins in your bloodstream. Antibodies are proteins made by your immune cells to fight off pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and mold but also to food proteins. The immunoglobulin test can show whether there's a problem with your immune system.
IgM antibodies are your body’s first line of defense against infection. The body makes IgM antibodies on first infection with bacteria and viruses. Levels then fall as IgG antibodies take over.
Why test S-IgM?
You may test S-IgM to discover your risk factors for lifestyle diseases (and change them), when you have certain symptoms, such as frequent infections of the sinuses, lungs, stomach, or intestines, chronic diarrhea, fever, unexplained weight loss, allergies, or skin rashes.
Monitoring
Monitor changes to your blood values as you make lifestyle changes or undergo treatments.
What causes low S-IgM?
Low S-IgM means that your immune system isn't working optimally. Normal levels of IgM antibodies can protect against pathogens like bacteria and viruses. Having low levels has been associated with a higher risk of recurring infections.
Causes of low IgM include the use of certain medicines such as steroids and immunosuppressive drugs, diabetes, kidney disease/failure, long-term autoimmune diseases, gut disorders, and chronic infections. You don’t necessarily have one of these conditions if your immunoglobulin level is out of range.
What causes high S-IgM?
High S-IgM means that your immune system is acutely reacting to something foreign like active infections, inflammation, development of disease or autoimmune disease, or autoimmune flare-ups.
More information
Preparations for this test
On the day of the test
Always take I.D. with you when going to take a test. Arrive early and sit for 15 minutes before taking the test.