IgM levels please anyone?

[Skypony]

Hi all

I very much subscribe to the belief that our blood results don't matter as much as how we're feeling, but I'm curious about something...

Most of my results normalised (or nearly) after starting Urso a few years ago, except my Igm. I know that this is quite a sensitive marker but not always included in tests. I can't find much info about levels in PBC, except that they're virtually always raised. Anyone know theirs please, and did it improve with Urso?

Many thanks

[butterflyEi]

Hi Skypony

I don't believe I have ever had mine done. Diagnosed 2006 in the UK

[Skypony in reply to butterflyEi]

Thanks butterflyEi, maybe not many of us have. I'm in UK too. x

[Janeway]

The IgM level can come down, as mine has ☺stay positive!

[Skypony in reply to Janeway]

That's encouraging Janeway, thank you!

[claygi]

Immunoglobulin M, or IgM for short, is a antibody that is produced by B cells. IgM is the largest antibody in the human circulatory system. It is the first antibody to appear in response to initial exposure to an antigen.

Therefore, it may or may not decrease with treatment of PBC as antibodies are produced by the immune system. It does not have to do with the Biliary system itself.

At my last blood test on February 9th, my IgM was 452 ( normal scale being 44-277 mg/dl). It is significantly elevated and I'm in very early stage PBC according to the hepatologists, they called it "underlying".

For reference, I should say, I'm in the USA.

[Skypony in reply to claygi]

claygi that's very interesting, thank you. I think I was mistakenly assuming that IgM can give some infomation about level of inflammation in the liver, but it seems not. I hope you keep well.

[Belliver]

Hi Skypony, IgM test was not done for me when I first diagnosed in 2006 (diagnosed with PSC then), but was started on Urso in 2007. In 2012 was seeing Hepatologist as both my GP & I thot PBC more accurate Dx. Usual blood work, LFT's done as well as mitochondrial antibody (M2) positive for PBC and the IgM was high at 384 mg/dl (40-230 mg/dl normal range). But I do notice that my mitochondrial antibody numbers were higher in 2012 than in 2006. Very interesting-- I'm going to ask Hepatologist next time . Let you know the scoop after I see dr ( next appt in September)

[Skypony in reply to Belliver]

Hi Belliver, I read that positive AMA and raised IgM combo is pretty diagnostic of PBC so you're probably in the right club! I didn't have IgM done until last 2 years either so don't really know what it was doing pre-Urso, just that it stands out a bit now. I've been told that my AMA titre doesn't matter, just that it's positive, but last time I knew, mine was in the thousands. I will also ask at my next appt, and yes please do report back after yours in Sept.

[tunvbludn48]

I can discuss this IgM question forever , because of the general stupidity of it in litigation ! Please , Skypony , do discuss it as I need to know more than I already know so as to better educate others who do not appear to accept more education , even those who should know better , but clam up !