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Immunoglobulin A (IgA)
Test CodeAlias/See Also
Preferred Specimen
Specimen Type: Serum
Collection Container: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: 3 mL
Minimum Volume
0.25 mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Collection Container: Red top
Instructions
Transport Container
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 8 months
Refrigerated: 8 months
Frozen: 8 months
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Unlabeled, mislabeled, wrong tube type, hemolyzed, visually lipemic, QNS, exceeds specimen/stability requirements.
Methodology
Immunoturbidimetric
Setup Schedule
Daily
Report Available
Same day
Limitations
Samples containing paraproteins (abnormal monoclonal antibodies) may incorrectly fall within the reference range. Samples with elevated total protein concentrations or suspected paraproteinemia can be screened with other methods such as electrophoresis. Turbidity and particles in samples can interfere with the assay. Therefore, particulate matter should be removed by centrifugation prior to running the assay.
Reference Range
0 - 3 months: 1 - 34 mg/dL
>3 months: 8 - 91 mg/dL
1 - 12 years: 21 - 291 mg/dL
12 - 60 years: 63 - 484 mg/dL
>60 years: 101 - 645 mg/dL
Female
0 - 3 months: 1 - 34 mg/dL
>3 months: 8 - 91 mg/dL
1 - 12 years: 21 - 282 mg/dL
12 - 60 years: 65 - 421 mg/dL
>60 years: 69 - 517 mg/dL
Clinical Significance
IgA does not cross the placenta, and as a result, IgA levels in infants’ sera are very low. Serum IgA levels do not reach adult concentrations until 12 years of age. Approximately one in every 700 caucasians is genetically IgA deficient. Individuals with absent IgA have a higher than expected incidence of rheumatic disorders and lymphoma. Secondary IgA deficiency is seen in non-IgA or multiple myeloma or macroglobulinemia, and with nephrotic syndrome.
Elevated IgA levels are associated with both polyclonal as well as monoclonal increases. Polyclonal increases include chronic liver disease, chronic infections, and neoplasia of the lower GI tract, inflammatory bowel disease, and autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis. Monoclonal increases include IgA multiple myeloma and occasionally other lymphomas.
Performing Laboratory
Inova Laboratories
2832 Juniper Street
Fairfax, VA 22031
Last Updated: April 11, 2023
Last Review: April 11, 2023