High IgM and other markers

[Myoldcat]

Hi, just had some more blood tests and my globulin and IgM levels are high. I understand they're linked with autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. Has anyone else experienced this after a recent PA diagnosis? Thanks.

[Nackapan]

I haven't. Seems to have many reasons for it to be high though.

[Myoldcat in reply to Nackapan]

Thanks. Another gp appointment on the horizon...

[Bertiepuss]

Hi Myoldcat, I too have high IgM, only just over range, not super high. Is yours very high? My GP said mine was not high enough to mean anything and to ignore it saying it was probably due to a virus even though I was not feeling ill with anything. I didn't find that answer very helpful especially as I also have chronically low white blood cells so I feel there is something autoimmune going on. 5 months later I did my own test to recheck, same result again - slightly over range. No idea what to do with this information though, currently I'm ignoring it. Sorry, that does not give you any help with your question, just wanted to sympathise with you. All you can do is follow up with your doctor and ask them questions on what it means and how it might be related to the other test results and your symptoms.

[Myoldcat]

Thank you for sympathising Bertiepuss. I'm not over range, but top end of normal. It's comforting to know others have the same - I'm thinking autoimmune PA could be responsible on its own? Even though I'm supposedly autoimmune negative... but have a strong family link so probably just an inconclusive IF antibody test. Let's see what gp says!

[Realtiger]

Hi Myoldcat I've just come across your post. I've had repeatedly elevated IGM results over the years which preceded a PA diagnosis. Elevated IGM can be a sign of Primary Biliary Cholangitis but this would only make sense alongside abnormal liver function tests. It is also associated with some cancers (which are generally more common in men). In my case further testing ruled this out and the haematologist said it fits with a profile of autoimmune disease. It's not a very specific test and your results are still within normal limits. If IGG and IGA are also normal I wouldn't worry at all. None of the medics have been unduly worried in my case so I'm not losing sleep over it!😊

What did your GP say in the end?

[Myoldcat]

Hi Realtiger, thanks for taking the time to reply. My GP wasn't unduly worried as you said; he did order some more tests and the underlying concern seems to be MGUS and then possible myeloma. I told him I don't have the bandwidth to worry about that yet, what with all the B12 palaver, and he agreed! So 🤞🤞🤞

[Jo5454 in reply to Myoldcat]

Hi Myoldcat, I just came across your post and it reminded me that 25 years ago, when I first became ill and diagnosed with ME, my Dr said proteins were high, globulin was high but that doesn’t mean anything, it’s good that it’s high?

More recent years I’ve discovered b12 deficiency, low ferritin, vit d, folate & up and down thyroid issues,so maybe those globulin levels were relevant at time, I don’t know? I was hoping when recently joining nhs app I could look back, but seems I have to write to management and they will sift through my notes to try to find test results from years ago, so out of interest think that’s what I’ll do.

Your Dr doesn’t seem unduly concerned either it seems, but at least seems to be testing further….hope you get it all sorted soon,.take care

[Myoldcat in reply to Jo5454]

Thanks Jo5454, and who knows the levels may have fluctuated before but not been considered too significant.