Immunoglobulin A
Private Immunoglobulin A blood test in London for £48, measuring one total IgA marker with results expected in around 1 business day.
Turnaround time
1 business day
Biomarkers count
1
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Overview of the Immunoglobulin A Test
The Immunoglobulin A blood test measures the total concentration of IgA antibodies circulating in serum.
The test contains 1 biomarker: Immunoglobulin A.
IgA plays an important role in immune defence at mucosal surfaces.
It is found in secretions such as saliva, tears and intestinal or respiratory mucus, where it helps protect surfaces that regularly encounter microorganisms and environmental material.
The blood test measures serum IgA rather than secretory IgA directly.
Quantitative IgA testing is commonly used when recurrent respiratory or gastrointestinal infections raise concern about antibody deficiency.
Selective IgA deficiency is one of the more common primary immunodeficiency patterns.
Some people with low IgA remain well, while others experience recurrent infections, allergic disease or autoimmune conditions.
IgA is also important when interpreting coeliac serology.
Many standard coeliac antibody tests use IgA-based antibodies.
If a person has significant IgA deficiency, an IgA-based coeliac result may be falsely reassuring, meaning IgG-based alternatives may be required.
Raised IgA can occur with chronic inflammation, liver disease, infection and selected monoclonal or polyclonal immunoglobulin disorders.
As with other total immunoglobulins, one abnormal IgA result cannot determine the diagnosis by itself.
What Does the Immunoglobulin A Test Check?
The test quantifies total serum IgA and provides information about one important component of humoral and mucosal immune defence. This test measures 1 biomarker.
Immunoglobulin A
Measures total serum IgA, an antibody class with an important role in mucosal immune defence and infection protection.
Who May Benefit From the Immunoglobulin A Test?
IgA testing may be particularly useful in recurrent respiratory or gastrointestinal infection, suspected immune deficiency or when IgA-based antibody tests need appropriate interpretation.
People with recurrent sinus infections - Reduced IgA can contribute to impaired mucosal immune defence.
People with repeated chest infections - Quantitative immunoglobulin assessment may be appropriate.
People with recurrent gastrointestinal infections - IgA has an important role in intestinal mucosal immunity.
People undergoing coeliac antibody testing - Total IgA can help establish whether IgA-based coeliac serology can be interpreted reliably.
People with suspected selective IgA deficiency - Direct quantitative testing is required.
People with a previous low IgA result - Repeat testing can establish whether the reduction persists.
People with autoimmune or inflammatory conditions - IgA abnormalities can accompany broader immune dysregulation.
People with unexplained raised Globulin or Total Protein - Increased immunoglobulin production may contribute.
How to Prepare
Do not stop medically necessary treatment simply to alter the IgA result.
If coeliac disease is being investigated, dietary preparation for the relevant coeliac tests is a separate issue and should follow the appropriate clinical guidance.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Immunoglobulin A Test
Low or high serum IgA does not produce one specific symptom pattern. Testing is generally prompted by recurrent infection or another laboratory or autoimmune concern.
Frequent sinus or respiratory infections - Reduced mucosal antibody defence can increase susceptibility in some people.
Repeated gastrointestinal infections - IgA is important at intestinal mucosal surfaces.
Chronic or recurrent diarrhoea with suspected immune deficiency - A broader immune assessment may be appropriate.
A previous low serum IgA result - Repeat measurement can confirm persistence.
A history of apparently negative coeliac serology despite strong clinical suspicion - IgA deficiency can make some IgA-based antibody tests unreliable.
Unexplained raised blood proteins - Increased IgA is one possible contributor.
Many people with selective IgA deficiency have few or no symptoms.
Conversely, normal serum IgA does not exclude every immune disorder or gastrointestinal condition.
How to Book Your Immunoglobulin A Test
The Immunoglobulin A test can be booked privately as an individual quantitative immune marker.
Choose the Immunoglobulin A
Select the individual total IgA blood test online.
Select your sample collection option
Choose an in-clinic appointment or professional home or hotel phlebotomy.
Attend your appointment
A trained healthcare professional collects the required venous blood sample.
Laboratory analysis
Your serum is analysed to determine the total Immunoglobulin A concentration.
Receive your results securely
Your authorised IgA result is delivered securely and can be interpreted with other immunoglobulin or antibody tests where appropriate.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The current expected turnaround for Immunoglobulin A is approximately 1 business day after laboratory receipt.
Total IgA is a routine quantitative immunoglobulin test.
Laboratory analysis, quality-control procedures and authorisation are completed before the result is released.
Turnaround starts from laboratory receipt rather than necessarily from the exact time of blood collection.
Additional investigations requested because of an abnormal result can have different turnaround times.
Understanding Your Results
A low IgA concentration can indicate selective IgA deficiency or form part of a broader immunodeficiency.
The significance depends on how low the result is, whether IgG and IgM are normal and whether the person experiences recurrent infections.
IgA deficiency is also important when interpreting coeliac antibody tests because a low total IgA concentration can make IgA-based serology falsely negative.
A high IgA result can occur with chronic inflammatory conditions, infection, liver disease and selected immunoglobulin disorders.
A markedly abnormal or unexplained result may require measurement of the other immunoglobulins and additional protein studies.
The laboratory's age-appropriate reference interval should be used for interpretation.
Why Book With London Blood Tests?
London Blood Tests provides rapid quantitative IgA measurement for immune and antibody-related assessment.
Direct total IgA measurement - Assesses an important antibody class associated with mucosal immune defence.
Useful for suspected IgA deficiency - Provides the quantitative measurement required to identify reduced serum IgA.
Relevant to recurrent infections - Can support broader immune assessment.
Important for coeliac-test interpretation - Low total IgA can affect the reliability of IgA-based serology.
Can complement IgG and IgM testing - Provides broader context when several immunoglobulin classes are assessed.
Fast results - Current turnaround is approximately 1 business day.
Private blood collection - Clinic and professional mobile phlebotomy options are available.
Clear pricing - The Immunoglobulin A test costs £48.
Private Immunoglobulin A Blood Test in London
London Blood Tests provides private Immunoglobulin A testing in London for people requiring quantitative assessment of serum IgA.
The test costs £48 and measures 1 biomarker: Immunoglobulin A.
Results are expected approximately 1 business day after laboratory receipt.
The result may be particularly useful in immune-deficiency assessment and when interpreting IgA-based coeliac antibody tests.