He has PANDAS but can't do IVIG! LOW IGA

[Santi]

Dr. K diagnosed my son with PANDAS (not totally convinced yet need to do some more careful observations). However, I did an immunological workup and found out that my son's IGA level is VERY LOW <6 (range 27-196) also his IGG is HIGH 1640 (range 600-1400), IGM OK. Does anyone have any experience with these antibodies? What else can the low IGA mean in terms of PANDAS/PITANDS? Andrea

[peglem]

My daughter's IgA is low- <6 (4), and she does get IVIG. Her doctor orders a type that has low IgA, and I think its only dangerous if your IgA deficiency is caused by anti-IgA antibodies. Did Dr.K say you couldn't do IVIG? I think the low IgG increases slightly the low risk of reacting to IVIG, but does not preclude IVIG altogether.

[JAG10]

Hi Andrea,

 

I don't know much about this, but I thought that in IGa that was below 20, IVIG was contraindicated bcs of how the body would respond to the IVIG regardless of the condition it is being prescribed for. I also don't know what steps can be taking to increase IGa.

 

Lots of smart people reading will give better info soon!

 

Hang in there!

Jill

[Santi]

My daughter's IgA is low- <6 (4), and she does get IVIG. Her doctor orders a type that has low IgA, and I think its only dangerous if your IgA deficiency is caused by anti-IgA antibodies. Did Dr.K say you couldn't do IVIG? I think the low IgG increases slightly the low risk of reacting to IVIG, but does not preclude IVIG altogether.

 

Dr. K told me that unfortunately its an ABSOLUTE CONTRAINDICATION for possible IVIG treatment. Have you heard about any allergies to penicillin with this low level IGA? Andrea

[peglem]

My daughter's IgA is low- <6 (4), and she does get IVIG. Her doctor orders a type that has low IgA, and I think its only dangerous if your IgA deficiency is caused by anti-IgA antibodies. Did Dr.K say you couldn't do IVIG? I think the low IgG increases slightly the low risk of reacting to IVIG, but does not preclude IVIG altogether.

 

Dr. K told me that unfortunately its an ABSOLUTE CONTRAINDICATION for possible IVIG treatment. Have you heard about any allergies to penicillin with this low level IGA? Andrea

Well, I'm sure he knows better than me! What does he do with kids who are IgA deficient- surely you're not the first. The literature says that IgA deficiency is the most common immune deficiency.

[Santi]

My daughter's IgA is low- <6 (4), and she does get IVIG. Her doctor orders a type that has low IgA, and I think its only dangerous if your IgA deficiency is caused by anti-IgA antibodies. Did Dr.K say you couldn't do IVIG? I think the low IgG increases slightly the low risk of reacting to IVIG, but does not preclude IVIG altogether.

 

Dr. K told me that unfortunately its an ABSOLUTE CONTRAINDICATION for possible IVIG treatment. Have you heard about any allergies to penicillin with this low level IGA? Andrea

Well, I'm sure he knows better than me! What does he do with kids who are IgA deficient- surely you're not the first. The literature says that IgA deficiency is the most common immune deficiency.

I don't know. I'm very new to all of this.

[Johnsmom]

Okay now I am all freaked out about this. Can someone please chime in here. We are scheduled for IVIG with Dr K in June. We never ran any IGA test. Does my ds have enough to do this with repeated elevated aso tests and positive response to steroid burst\?

 

My daughter's IgA is low- <6 (4), and she does get IVIG. Her doctor orders a type that has low IgA, and I think its only dangerous if your IgA deficiency is caused by anti-IgA antibodies. Did Dr.K say you couldn't do IVIG? I think the low IgG increases slightly the low risk of reacting to IVIG, but does not preclude IVIG altogether.

 

Dr. K told me that unfortunately its an ABSOLUTE CONTRAINDICATION for possible IVIG treatment. Have you heard about any allergies to penicillin with this low level IGA? Andrea

Well, I'm sure he knows better than me! What does he do with kids who are IgA deficient- surely you're not the first. The literature says that IgA deficiency is the most common immune deficiency.

I don't know. I'm very new to all of this.

[Santi]

Okay now I am all freaked out about this. Can someone please chime in here. We are scheduled for IVIG with Dr K in June. We never ran any IGA test. Does my ds have enough to do this with repeated elevated aso tests and positive response to steroid burst\?

 

My daughter's IgA is low- <6 (4), and she does get IVIG. Her doctor orders a type that has low IgA, and I think its only dangerous if your IgA deficiency is caused by anti-IgA antibodies. Did Dr.K say you couldn't do IVIG? I think the low IgG increases slightly the low risk of reacting to IVIG, but does not preclude IVIG altogether.

 

Dr. K told me that unfortunately its an ABSOLUTE CONTRAINDICATION for possible IVIG treatment. Have you heard about any allergies to penicillin with this low level IGA? Andrea

Well, I'm sure he knows better than me! What does he do with kids who are IgA deficient- surely you're not the first. The literature says that IgA deficiency is the most common immune deficiency.

I don't know. I'm very new to all of this.

 

I would ask Dr. K if he recommends doing an Immunological Panel (IGA, IGG and IGM) before the IVIG. He did not mention it to me even though it sounds like its critical to do before the IVIG. Andrea

[Johnsmom]

so does this mean you cant do IVIG now??? Why would he set us up for this and miss something so important? I just e-mailed him.

 

 

Okay now I am all freaked out about this. Can someone please chime in here. We are scheduled for IVIG with Dr K in June. We never ran any IGA test. Does my ds have enough to do this with repeated elevated aso tests and positive response to steroid burst\?

 

My daughter's IgA is low- <6 (4), and she does get IVIG. Her doctor orders a type that has low IgA, and I think its only dangerous if your IgA deficiency is caused by anti-IgA antibodies. Did Dr.K say you couldn't do IVIG? I think the low IgG increases slightly the low risk of reacting to IVIG, but does not preclude IVIG altogether.

 

Dr. K told me that unfortunately its an ABSOLUTE CONTRAINDICATION for possible IVIG treatment. Have you heard about any allergies to penicillin with this low level IGA? Andrea

Well, I'm sure he knows better than me! What does he do with kids who are IgA deficient- surely you're not the first. The literature says that IgA deficiency is the most common immune deficiency.

I don't know. I'm very new to all of this.

 

I would ask Dr. K if he recommends doing an Immunological Panel (IGA, IGG and IGM) before the IVIG. He did not mention it to me even though it sounds like its critical to do before the IVIG. Andrea

[peglem]

My daughter's immuno ordered the kind of ivig that has almost zero IgA.

[mama2alex]

Just bumping this in hopes that someone who knows the answer will see it in the a.m.

[mama2alex]

Just ran across this...

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P...13/?tool=pubmed

 

"In case of associated IgG subclass deficiency and/or specific antibody deficiency, immunoglobulin treatment via venous or subcutaneous route with a product that contains minimal IgA may be given. Standard treatment approach is entertained in case of an associated allergic disorder or autoimmune condition."

[tpotter]

When my son's IgA came back low (not nearly as low as your dd), I had to consult with an immunologist for Dr. L. If Dr. K. is saying no IVIG, I wouldn't do it.

 

But, Dr. L. does PEX. Try to get an appointment with her.

[kimballot]

Have you considered a consult with Dr. B? He is an immunologist, so he may some other ideas.

[Johnsmom]

I cant get this link to work.. Dr K got back to me this morning. he is ordering a test. Why would something like this be overlooked after he set up our appt???

Isnt this kind of rare??

 

 

Just ran across this...

 

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P...13/?tool=pubmed

 

"In case of associated IgG subclass deficiency and/or specific antibody deficiency, immunoglobulin treatment via venous or subcutaneous route with a product that contains minimal IgA may be given. Standard treatment approach is entertained in case of an associated allergic disorder or autoimmune condition."