High IGM...scared

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Hi, guys

It happens to me sometimes...i got myself all scared already. Please help.

I saw my rheumatologist a few month ago, not the first time.
I am on Plaq. Have positive ANA and SS-A.
Very photosensitive.
She ordered blood test, with only 2 things in it: globulins and vitamin D.
Vitamin D was a little bit low. So she prescribed to me vitamin D supllement and told me to come in 2 months to recheck it.
She did not say anything else is wrong.
I like to have all my blood tests with me, so i asked her a copy of this one test also.
When i left the office, a saw that IGm was very high there, norm is up to 250 or something, mine was 450.
It had also IGA and IGG -normal.
I did not pay much attention to it, because she did not mention it.
Resently i saw my PCP and showed her that test, she said we will retest it. It does not seem i had those IGM/IGG/IGA checked before.
We retested it, it is still high.
Now my PCP seems more concerned.
She said may be i should see hematologist with it.
I got really scared and started reading on internet...and i found it could be a plazma cancer. Now i am so frantic....
I made an apt. with rheumatologist, hoping she would explain to me why she did not mention anything about it and she was not concerned, and that it could be high with autoimmune problems as well. But appt. is only August 8.
And i am scared now...

[Lily]

Hi,

Its concerning when we get test results and don't have feedback as to why they are raised or lowered. Unfortunately the doc doesnt always get time to explain it in the 15 minutes we see them. I think if its worrying you its wise to have made that appointment to discuss it. But your doc obviously isnt worried and probably there's a good explanation for it.

IgM is a normal part of the immune response. I'm wondering if you have had or are experiencing any infection or been exposed to one recently? Immunoglobulins are a pretty complex mechanism and they vary and go way up and down a lot depending on what our body is doing at the time.

http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/antibody_tests/glance.html

abnormal levels can be from a whole host of things and they may not hang around either, they are just a snapshot in time of something that is happening with your immune system. Its not a bad idea to retest though thats for sure.

One thing I can say is that I know you had a vitamin D deficiency, when I had that my IgG was low for some reason and my doc said they were tied together somehow. Anyway he knew what he was doing so I let him sort it out and he did. I've just looked up IgM and it appears we produce that to help produce IgG (IgG kicks in when we have sinus or upper respiratory problems). So maybe in your case the IgM is going beserk trying to produce more IgG. Hopefully the Vitamin D supplementation is going to help all that, its so important to smooth running of the immune system when kept in balance.

Try not to worry over one test result, you will find the doc is most probably taking it all into consideration with your particular problems in mind. Thats why tests are no good without a clinical picture to help interpret them, and thats why we see docs who know how to do that.

Sending hugs and let us know what she says.

love
Lily

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thank you, Lily

I guess i have to calm down(easy to say) and wait till my next appointment.

It seems to me that i have to restrict myself to read too much about POSSIBLE problems which this IGM can indicate.
I am thinking the worst right away...like blood cancer...and can not take my mind off this.

Do you, guys, have similar problem of dwelling too much on those fears?
And how you deal with it?

I have to calm down till August 8...when my appointment will be.

as always, thank you for support...i don't know what i would do without it.

[jude mack]

Hello

Sorry you got so frantic about your IgM, mine is always high too. My rheumy checks it often, and I figure if she isn't worried, niether am I. BUT
like you I dwell or get frantic about tests or appointments, that's when I come here and post, it sure does help allot.:) I'm sure your doctor will explain the high IgM, if it has to do with anything important. Try not to worry and keep posting.

Take Care
Jude8)

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thank you so much jude, for your reply. I wanted to know whether someone else has it high...and it relates to lupus...not cancer.
I feel totally tired today of being frantic...it is very difficult.

I will keep you, guys , posted what doctor will say.
thank you million times for support.

[tbunny1]

If it makes you feel any better, mine have been elevated for over 2yr now, and I'm still around to complain! :)

I've also read that elevated IgM can be associated with CNS (central nervous system) lupus, and even APS. Best I can tell though, we are all different,and present in different ways. If it has something to do with your immune system (which an immunoglobulin is), chances are at some point during your disease process, it will test weird, and no one will know why. I wouldn't worry unless it tests high over and over again.

Welcome to lupie land! :wacko:

[Maia]

I've had high IgM too, as well as a slightly elevated electropheresis test and my doctors are not concerned about it either. However, for several days I shared your concerns and was very worried! It's hard not to worry over these things, and even though it could, and probably is "just" the lupus causing it.... you are still definitely RIGHT about getting it looked into further. These things need to be looked into or at least followed up periodically to be on the extra safe side.

My IgM was 493, and my IgA was too low also actually (55?) IgM in my case was caused by a bacterial infection, and can also be caused by a simple common cold. The follow up testing that might be done in your case, if similar to mine would be a electropheresis testing which again, frustratingly for me, showed a very small increase in one thing which could be consistent with lupus. I guess, if it were something else more serious such as cancer, then it would be much more elevated.

To sum it up: I feel your pain and worry and am now past it and I'm sure with a little time, and some reassuring follow up blood tests from your doctor(s), that you will be much less worried in the not too distant future.
Hang in there.

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thank you, guys, for your support.
I will try to keep calm till i see the doctor.
thank you again, stay well...
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