Super Low IGG levels. 384. What odds vaccine w... - CLL Support

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Super Low IGG levels. 384. What odds vaccine will work?

Palmetto profile image
8 Replies

All 3 levels extremely below normal. Should we request IVIG.?

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Palmetto
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Stretch1 profile image
Stretch1

Here’s a study that may help you answer the question concerning the vaccine -

mdedge.com/hematology-oncol...

For reasons other than just the Covid threat you may want the IVIG infusion, constant infections, low IGGs etc -

I recently contacted my oncologist to figure out if I needed the IVIG because of IGGs below 300 and to discuss Chaya Venkats article concerning prophylactic use of a Regeneron cocktail. I will be getting the IVIG soon and apparently the Covid vaccine In lieu of the other. As we have all been told multiple times - this is a very heterogeneous disease - so vaccination results will vary.

Palmetto profile image
Palmetto in reply to Stretch1

Thank you. I am going to call tomorrow to talk to his doctor to see if possibly I can get the vaccine as well since I am his care provider

AussieNeil profile image
AussieNeilAdministrator

By all 3 levels, I presume you mean your husband's antibody/immunoglobulin levels IgA, IgG and IgM? If your husband is not experiencing serious infections, then he is unlikely to qualify for IgG infusions, because it's a finite resource determined by blood donations, which have also been down in many countries this past year, for obvious reasons. There's unlikely to be much in the way of COVID-19 immunoglobulins in current stocks of IgG, but that will increase over time.

Your husband's Rituximab treatment for AIHA, followed by the Gazyva and most recently Venetoclax treatments, will have a lingering impact on his ability to respond to any vaccinations with respect to antibody production, but that should improve with time. It's still worth having COVID-19 vaccinations. That's because your husband may still gain some T cell based immunity, plus any plasma cells and memory B cells formed in response to earlier coronavirus (mainly cold) infections, should be stimulated, thereby improving his immunity somewhat.

Don't forget your own vaccinations to protect both of you!

Neil

Palmetto profile image
Palmetto in reply to AussieNeil

Thanks so much I have signed up to get it but I don't know how soon it will be available I am 71 so do qualify locally who knows when I will actually get an appointment. I don't like his levels being that low but I guess something will have to deal with

AussieNeil profile image
AussieNeilAdministrator in reply to Palmetto

An IgG of 384 isn't all that low when you consider that you need to have a count below 400 in other countries, plus serious infections to qualify for IgG infusions. We do have members with lower IgG levels that are not troubled by serious infections. That's because your immune system's response to antibodies labelling bugs is also an important (and variable) part of how your your overall immunity works.

Neil

Palmetto profile image
Palmetto in reply to AussieNeil

Good to hear! Thanks as always for your vast knowledge base :)👍

Alex830 profile image
Alex830

My IgG levels have been low for over a year, during the summer I dropped under 270. My oncologist suggested IVIG but because I have no history of recurring infections, my insurance didn’t approve it. I didn’t appeal because of COVID I really didn’t want to spend hours at my doctors office. I did get a flu shot though and reacted pretty strongly to it, sore are, lymph nodes in arm pit swelled up and I had a low grade fever. All good things according my oncologist, she definitely wants me to take the vaccine. My current IgG level is 345.

Palmetto profile image
Palmetto in reply to Alex830

Good to know you had a reaction to the flu vaccine meaning your body did mount a response. VERY COMFORTING!

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