What is Gamma Globulin?
Gamma globulin is a major class of immunoglobulins found in the blood, including many of the most common antibodies circulating in the blood.
The gamma globulin band consists of 5 immunoglobulins:
- 80% is immunoglobulin G (IgG)
- 15% is immunoglobulin A (IgA)
- 5% is immunoglobulin M (IgM)
- 0.2% is immunoglobulin D (IgD)
- A trace is immunoglobulin E (IgE)
In order to remember which immunoglobulins the gamma globulin band consists of, just remember the word: G.A.M.E.D.
Gamma Globulin is a somewhat ambiguous term that still remains in common usage despite attempts to substitute ‘immunoglobulin’ in its place.
What are immunoglobulins?
Immunoglobulins function as antibodies in the immune response.
– IgG (fights bacterial & viral infections)
– IgA (protects places mucous membranes – mouth, nose, lungs, intestines and saliva and tears)
– IgM (first antibody made by the body to fight a new infection)
– IgE (responsible for immunity to parasites and allergic reactions)
– IgD (scientists are still discovering it’s function – one theory is it signals activation of B Cells in immune response)
Reference Ranges:
0-<5 months: 100-334 mg/dL
5-<9 months: 164-588 mg/dL
9-<15 months: 246-904 mg/dL
15-<24 months: 313-1,170 mg/dL
2-<4 years: 295-1,156 mg/dL
4-<7 years: 386-1,470 mg/dL
7-<10 years: 462-1,682 mg/dL
10-<13 years: 503-1,719 mg/dL
13-<16 years: 509-1,580 mg/dL
16-<18 years: 487-1,327 mg/dL
> or =18 years: 767-1,590 mg/dL
IgA:
0-<5 months: 7-37 mg/dL
5-<9 months: 16-50 mg/dL
9-<15 months: 27-66 mg/dL
15-<24 months: 36-79 mg/dL
2-<4 years: 27-246 mg/dL
4-<7 years: 29-256 mg/dL
7-<10 years: 34-274 mg/dL
10-<13 years: 42-295 mg/dL
13-<16 years: 52-319 mg/dL
16-<18 years: 60-337 mg/dL
> or =18 years: 61-356 mg/dL
IgM:
0-<5 months: 26-122 mg/dL
5-<9 months: 32-132 mg/dL
9-<15 months: 40-143 mg/dL
15-<24 months: 46-152 mg/dL
2-<4 years: 37-184 mg/dL
4-<7 years: 37-224 mg/dL
7-<10 years: 38-251 mg/dL
10-<13 years: 41-255 mg/dL
13-<16 years: 45-244 mg/dL
16-<18 years: 49-201 mg/dL
> or =18 years: 37-286 mg/dL
References:
What is a Globulin Test? https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003544.htm
It's important to note that a low gamma globulin score alone is not sufficient for diagnosis.
A low gamma globulin score on a protein electrophoresis test indicates that the level of gamma globulins in the blood serum is lower than the normal range. Gamma globulins, also known as immunoglobulins, are an essential part of the immune system, responsible for fighting off infections and foreign substances in the body. They play a crucial role in defending against viruses and bacteria, providing immunity against diseases.
The protein electrophoresis test is used to measure the levels of different types of proteins, including globulins, in the blood serum. There are four main types of globulins: alpha 1, alpha 2, beta, and gamma. The serum protein electrophoresis test specifically measures the levels of gamma globulins and other trace proteins present in the blood serum.
A low gamma globulin score may be indicative of certain health conditions or factors. Possible causes of low gamma globulin levels include:
→ Immunodeficiency: Low gamma globulins can weaken the immune system's ability to fight infections and make the individual more susceptible to various diseases.
→ Certain Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as autoimmune diseases or inflammatory disorders, may be associated with decreased gamma globulin levels.
→ Malnutrition: Inadequate intake of essential nutrients can affect the production of globulins and other proteins in the body.
→ Liver Dysfunction: Since the liver plays a role in producing globulins, liver disorders or damage can lead to decreased gamma globulin levels.
→ Genetic Disorders: Some genetic conditions can affect the production of gamma globulins, leading to low levels in the blood.
Medications or Treatments: Certain medications or medical treatments may influence gamma globulin levels.
If you have received a low gamma globulin score on a protein electrophoresis test, it is essential to follow up with your healthcare provider for further evaluation and appropriate medical guidance.
Understand and improve your laboratory results with our health dashboard.
Upload your lab reports and get your interpretation today.
Our technology helps to understand, combine, track, organize, and act on your medical lab test results.
High levels may indicate infection, inflammatory disease or immune disorders. High globulin levels may also indicate certain types of cancer, such as multiple myeloma, Hodgkin's disease, or malignant lymphoma. However, abnormal results may be due to certain medications, dehydration, or other factors. To learn what your results mean, talk to your health care provider.
Interpret Your Lab Results
Upload your lab report, and we'll interpret and provide you with recommendations today.
Get Started
Monthly plan
Annual plan
Own it for life
Our exclusive data entry service is a convenient way to get your results into your private dashboard. Simply attach an image or a file of your lab test results, and one of our qualified data entry team members will add the results for you. We support all sorts of files, whether PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is excellent whether you have a lot of reports to upload or are too busy to do the data entry yourself.
We strive to make the data entry process easy for you. Whether by offering dozens of templates to choose from that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels or by giving you instant feedback on the entered values. Our data entry forms are an easy, fast, and convenient way to enter the reports yourself. There is no limit on how many lab reports you can upload.
$15 /month
billed every month
Most popular
Data entry included
$79 /year
$6.60/month billed annually
Data entry included
$250 /once
own it for life
Are You a Health Professional?
Get started with our professional plan
Welcome to Healthmatters Pro.
Save time on interpreting lab results with the largest database of biomarkers online. In-depth research on any test at your fingertips, all stored and tracked in one place. Learn more
Pro Monthly Plus
for health professionals
$75 per month
At HealthMatters, we're committed to maintaining the security and confidentiality of your personal information. We've put industry-leading security standards in place to help protect against the loss, misuse, or alteration of the information under our control. We use procedural, physical, and electronic security methods designed to prevent unauthorized people from getting access to this information. Our internal code of conduct adds additional privacy protection. All data is backed up multiple times a day and encrypted using SSL certificates. See our Privacy Policy for more details.
Abnormal Protein Band 1, Actin (Smooth muscle) Antibody (IgG), Albumin (via Protein electrophoresis), Alpha-1-Globulin, Serum, Alpha-2-Globulin, Serum, baski sore, Beta Globulin, Serum, Beta-1-Globulin, Serum, Beta-2-Globulin, Serum, Bile Acid, Bilirubin Direct, Bilirubin Indirect, Cholinesterase, Serum, Gamma Globulin, Serum, Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT), Mitochondrial (M2) Antibody, Pre-Albumin, Prealbumin
