Lab

Immunoglobulin M

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Immunoglobulin M, IgM Immunoglobulin, Gamma Globulin M, IgM

  • Physiology
  1. Pentamer (5 Antibody molecules) when secretory Ig with Molecular weight 900,000 dalton
  2. Responsible for early, primary Antibody response
  • Lab
  • Normal
  1. Range: 45-150 mg/dl
  2. Varies by age
  • Causes
  • Increased
  1. Liver disease
    1. Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
    2. Early hepatitis
  2. Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia
  3. Infection
    1. Brucellosis
    2. Malaria
    3. Trypanosomiasis
    4. Toxoplasmosis
  • Causes
  • Decreased
  1. Hypo-IgM
  2. Protein-losing Enteropathy
  • References
  1. Bakerman (1984) ABCs of Lab Data, p. 252-3