Mucosal surfaces, such as those of the eyes, nose, throat, and GI tract, represent a large port of entry for pathogens and thus must be efficiently protected.
This goal is achieved by a combination of innate and acquired immunoactivity. Innate immunity includes mucus, lactoferrin, lysozymes, and certain cytokines. Acquired immunity includes the production of antibodies.
The primary antibody response at the mucosal level is secretory IgA (sIgA). sIgA is produced by activated B-cells in the mucosa where it forms immune complexes with pathogens and allergens, thereby preventing them from binding to and penetrating the intestinal mucosa. IgG is also found in the mucosa, but they are believed to be serum derived.
Antibody deficiencies are the most commonly reported immunodeficiencies worldwide.
Selective IgA deficiency is the most common primary immunodeficiency, with prevalence from as low as 1 in 223 in community studies to 1 in 400 in healthy blood donors. Diagnosis is made with a serum IgA, though salivary and fecal sIgA levels are also found to be absent or low. Patients can also have a partial IgA deficiency, which isn’t a genetic immunodeficiency. Rather, a partial IgA deficiency may be caused by environmental or lifestyle factors, such as nutrient deficiencies, drugs, virus’, or impaired immune function, that can lead to chronic IgA stimulation.
Over time, IgA production may decrease and a deficiency may be noticed in fecal, saliva or serum total IgA levels. Patients with low IgA levels have increased risk of infections in mucosal surfaces, food allergies, celiac- like enteropathies, IBD, and autoimmune disorders.
Some patients also have gastrointestinal issues and chronic diarrhea. Since sIgA serves to protect the gut, lower levels can also lead to an increased risk of leaky gut or dysbiosis.
Leaky gut syndrome is your first line of defense, sIgA is decreased and is unable to adequately fight invaders trying to get into the intestinal epithelium. When the epithelium becomes inflamed and irritated, the tight junctions in the epithelium become weakened and allow toxins or antigens, generally food particles, to enter.
These entering food particles cause the body to react by creating other classes of immunoglobulins, primarily IgG, to protect the blood and tissues. A patient with leaky gut may therefore have IgG reactions to many foods. An IgA deficiency can also lead to false-negative IgA-based test results, such as celiac.
IgA deficiencies occurred in 1 out of 131 patients tested for celiac disease. Many patients with IgA deficiency are asymptomatic. It is not understood why some individuals with IgA deficiency have almost no illness while others are very sick. Studies have suggested that some patients may be missing a fraction of their IgG (the IgG2 and/or IgG4 subclasses), and that may be part of the explanation of why some patients with IgA deficiency are more susceptible to infection than others. Also, it is not known precisely what percent of individuals with IgA deficiency will eventually develop complications; estimates range from 25% to 50% over 20 years of observation. The clinical manifestation in a given patient tends to remain constant (e.g. in patients with autoimmune conditions, recurrent infections do not tend to develop).
Clinical applications of secretory IgA antibody testing:
- Production is stimulated by bacteria & viruses, which are removed by sIgA and phagocytosis
- Patients deficient in sIgA are susceptible to pathogens in the G.I tract
- There is a particularly high prevalence of IgA deficiency in coeliacs (5%)
- Deficiencies may be associated with asthma, autoimmune disease, candidiasis, coeliac disease and food allergies
- Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s patients all have low sIgA. There is some evidence that increasing the levels may help disease
- High levels are often found in patients with chronic infection (CMV, EBV and HIV)
- Lifestyle and nutritional factors influence levels
- Choline, EFA’s, glutathione, glycine, phosphatidylcholine, Vitamin C & zinc are all needed for efficient production
- Chronic dermatological conditions
Keeping track of your medical data and laboratory results while understanding what they mean empowers positive health outcomes.
Keeping track of your medical data and lab results while understanding what they mean empowers positive health outcomes.
Save 10% off any plan with promo-code:
HEALTH10
Elevated levels in saliva are associated with an immune response to stimulation by infections and inflammatory reactions. High levels of SIgA production may indicate an infection of the digestive system, in which case a Comprehensive Stool Analysis with parasites would be recommended.
Causes of elevated fecal sIgA:
- Any defective epithelial barrier
- A defective epithelial barrier allows bacterial and microbial penetration, which is the strongest stimulator of sIgA production.
- Celiac disease
- Colon cancer
- Infections
- IBS (especially the diarrhea subtype)
Therapeutic considerations for elevated fecal sIgA:
Assess for and treat root causes of immune upregulation /inflammation:
- Infection (bacterial, parasitic, and/or viral pathogen, potential pathogen)
- Compromised intestinal barrier function (i.e., intestinal permeability)
- Heightened response to noninfectious stimuli (i.e., food sensitivity/allergy, etc.)
Consider Food Antibody testing – If positive, consider elimination diet
Sign up
Sign up now and create your account. Use code HEALTH10 for a 10% discount on any plan. Don't miss out!
Organize
Bring all results from any laboratories to your account. You can enter your tests yourself, or we'll be happy to organize your files—whether in PDF, JPEG, CSV, or even screenshots.
Learn and improve
Once your information is stored in your account, dive into a wealth of insights about your results. If you have any more questions, we are here to answer them.
SIgA key function is to bind to invading micro organisms and toxins and entrap them in the mucus layer or within the epithelial cells [=cells that cover the inside and outside of the surfaces of your body], so inhibiting microbial motility, agglutinating the organisms and neutralising their exotoxins and then assist in their harmless elimination from the body in the faecal flow.
SIgA also 'tags' food as acceptable, so low SIgA leads to increased sensitivity to foods. Several studies link stress and emotionality with levels of SIgA.
Production is adversely affected by stress, which is mediated by cortisol levels. This could result in inadequate production of SIgA in response to a mucosal infection. Reduced SIgA levels may be associated with sub optimal adrenal output, in which case an adrenal stress index test would be recommended.
Causes of Low sIgA:
- Certain drugs can induce transient IgA deficiency which resolve after the causative drugs are removed. These include anti-inflammatories, sulfasalazine, hydantoin, cyclosporine, gold, fenclofenac, sodium valproate, and captopril.
- Certain viral infections, such as congenital rubella infection or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, may result in persistent IgA deficiency.
- Patients with poor nutrition may have difficulty mounting an appropriate immune response.
- Lower sIgA levels are frequently found in those with ulcerative colitis or in those whose first degree relatives have the disease. Research has shown a dysfunction in transepithelial IgA secretion, and thus a decrease in sIgA.
- A high antigenic load can result in depressed sIgA, even in healthy, asymptomatic individuals.
- Lower levels are found in those with excessive cortisol production, so decreasing stress may lead to higher sIgA levels.
- Lower levels may also be found in those with chronic infections or immune hypersensitivity. The decrease in resistance can lead to dysbiosis and an increased risk of infection and allergy.
Considerations for low fecal sIgA:
Because of the lack of clinical evidence, there is no clear cut-off value for low fecal sIgA. People with systemic IgA deficiency can have low levels of fecal secretory IgA. There is a demonstrated link between IgA deficiency and several GI diseases, including:
- celiac disease,
- giardiasis,
- nodular lymphoid hyperplasia,
- ulcerative colitis,
- Crohn’s disease,
- pernicious anemia,
- and gastric and colonic adenocarcinoma.
Low sIgA may reflect a loss of GI immune response resiliency. Fecal sIgA may be low in severe/prolonged IBD patients due to a switch from intestinal IgA to IgG production as well as a deficiency in producing IgA dimers and polymers.
Secretory IgA demonstrates an array of activities integral to the maintenance of intestinal homeostasis. It influences the composition of intestinal microbiota, down-regulates pro-inflammatory responses normally associated with the uptake of highly pathogenic bacteria and potentially allergenic antigens, and promotes the retro-transport of antigens across the intestinal epithelium to gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). Therefore, a low sIgA is clinically significant.
The test result should be considered together with any other medical condition, other biomarkers, and microbiome profiles when interpreting the data.
Ways to Increase sIgA:
Treating the overall gut, with exclusion or rotation diets, glutamine, fish oils for inflammation, and the entire 4-R program includes:
Treatment Using Four “R” Program for Intestinal Health:
- Remove offending foods, medications, gluten (if sensitive) and reduce high fat foods, refined carbohydrates, sugars, and fermented foods (if yeast is present). Consider antimicrobial, antifungal, and/ or antiparasitic therapies in the case of opportunistic/ pathogenic bacterial, yeast, and/or parasite overgrowth (see otherrecommendations below).
- Replace what is needed for normal digestion and absorption such as betaine HCl, pancreatic enzymes, herbs that aid in digestion such as deglycyrrhizinated licorice and marshmallow root, dietary fiber, and water.
- Reinoculate with favorable microbes (probiotics such as Lactobacillus sp., Bifidobacter sp., and Saccharomyces boulardii). To enhance the growth of the favorable bacteria, supplement with prebiotics such as insulin, xylooligosaccharides, and fiber.
- Repair mucosal lining by giving support to healthy intestinal mucosal cells, goblet cells, and to the immune system. Consider L-glutamine, essential fatty acids, zinc, pantothenic acid and vitamin C.
Other Recommendations for Increasing sIgA:
- Exercise and relaxation techniques (such as footbaths, aromatherapy and massage) have been shown to increase sIgA levels.
- Decrease cortisol levels. Cortisol can direct the production of immune cells immuncytes, which produce sIgA.
- Probiotics (bifidobacter and Lactobacillus bacteria) have been shown to increase sIgA (as well as beneficial short chain fatty acids). They may also activate macrophages.
- Saccharomyces boulardii is used for the prevention and treatment of diarrhea of different etiologies and has been shown to enhance IgA immune response.
Guiding our user for 10 years to promptly understand, track, and act on their laboratory results.
$15/month
for personal lab results
Cancel your subscription at any time.
$250/once
full premium version
$45/month
track your clients’ labs
Cancel your subscription at any time.
Guiding our user for 10 years to promptly understand, track, and act on their laboratory results.
Personal plans
track personal results
Professional Plan
track multiple client's results
$15/month
for personal lab results
$250/once
own it for life
$45/month
for health professionals
Complete Plan
Unlimited Plan
$15 per month
$250 full version
Are you a health professional?
Level up your lab report analysis with our Pro plan, built for health practitioners like you.
Health Business Account
$45/month
Cancel your subscription at any time.
Unlock additional Pro plans when you sign up.
Unlock Your Health Journey with Healthmatters.io! Ever wished for a one-stop digital health haven for all your lab tests? Look no further! Healthmatters.io is your personalized health dashboard, bringing together test reports from any lab. Say goodbye to scattered results—organize and centralize your lab data effortlessly. Dive into the details of each biomarker and gain insights into the meaning behind your medical test data.
Join the community of thousands who've transformed the way they understand their lab results. Experience the joy of having all your lab data neatly organized, regardless of where or when the tests were done.
For our professional users, Healthmatters.io is a game-changer. Revel in the intuitive tools that not only streamline analysis but also save valuable time when delving into your client's lab report history. It's not just a dashboard; it's your gateway to a smarter, more informed health journey!
Healthmatters.io personal account provides in-depth research on 4000+ biomarkers, including information and suggestions for test panels such as, but not limited to:
You can combine all test reports inside your Healthmatters account and keep them in one place. It gives you an excellent overview of all your health data. Once you retest, you can add new results and compare them.
If you are still determining whether Healthmatters support your lab results, the rule is that if you can test it, you can upload it to Healthmatters.
While we do talk about popular labs, we welcome reports from lots of other places too. It's as simple as this: if you can get a test done, you can upload it to Healthmatters. We can interpret results from any lab out there. If laboratories can analyze it, we can interpret it.
Still on the hunt for a specific biomarker? Just tell us, and we'll add it to our database. Anything from blood, urine, saliva, or stool can be uploaded, understood, and tracked with your Healthmatters account!
There are two ways to add your test reports to your healthmatters.io account. One option is to input the data using the data entry forms. The other method is to utilize our "Data entry service."
Our data entry forms offer an easy, fast, and free way for you to input the reports yourself. Self-entry allows you to add an unlimited number of reports at no cost. We make the self-entry process user-friendly, providing dozens of templates that pre-populate the most popular laboratory panels and offering instant feedback on entered values.
For those who prefer assistance, we offer a "Data entry service" to help you input your data. Simply attach an image or file of your lab test results, and a qualified team member from our data entry team will add the results for you. We support various file types, including PDFs, JPGs, or Excel. This service is particularly useful if you have many reports to upload or if you're too busy to handle the data entry yourself.
Our special data entry service makes it easy to add your results to your private dashboard. Just attach an image or a file of your lab test results, and our skilled data entry team will do the work for you. It's all done by humans, ensuring that your data is entered accurately and with personal care for each client.
Depending on your account, the data entry service can be included for free or come at an additional cost of $15 per report.
For users on the Complete monthly plan, the first report is entered free of charge, and each additional report incurs a fee of $15.
Unlimited account holders enjoy the entry of ten reports without charge. Subsequent reports are subject to a $15 fee per report.
Additionally, users on the Complete plan can upgrade to a yearly subscription from the account settings. The annual subscription includes a data entry service for five reports.
The Unlimited plan is a one-time purchase for $250, and it covers your account for a lifetime with no additional payments.
For the Complete plan, the cost is $15 per month. You have the flexibility to cancel it anytime through your account settings, ensuring no further payments. To avoid charges, remember to cancel at least a day before the renewal date. Once canceled, the subscription remains active until the end of the current billing cycle.
Additionally, you can upgrade to the yearly Advanced plan from within your account. The annual cost is $79, and it comes with a data entry service for five reports.
You can always upgrade to a lifetime version with a prorated price from a monthly or yearly subscription.
Simply log in and navigate to your account settings to cancel your subscription. Scroll down to locate the 'Cancel' button at the bottom of the page. Ensure you cancel at least one day before the renewal date to prevent any charges. Once cancellation is requested, the subscription remains active until the conclusion of the current billing cycle.
Unlocking the insights from your lab tests has never been this intuitive! We've crafted multiple ways for you to navigate your data, whether you're glancing at a single report or delving into a treasure trove of testing data.
1. Graph View:Dive into a visual journey with our biomarker graphs, showcasing over 40 data points. Combining years of results unveils trends, empowering you to make informed decisions. Our visualization tools make it a breeze to compare and understand changes over time, even if your results are from different labs. A search function and filters simplify the exploration of extensive data, allowing you to focus on what needs attention.
2. All Tests ViewGet a quick grasp of your test reports in minutes! Explore neatly organized reports on a timeline, highlighting crucial details like dates, critical results, and lab/panel names. Each report opens up to reveal in-depth descriptions and additional recommendations for each biomarker. The history of previous results is just a click away, and you can download a comprehensive report for deeper insights. Color-coded and user-friendly, it's designed for easy reading, understanding, and navigation.
3. Table View:For a holistic view of all biomarkers side by side, our table view is your go-to. Results are neatly displayed in a categorized and dated table, ideal for those with an extensive test history. Utilize sorting, filters, and color-coding to enhance your analysis and gain extra insights.
Experience the power of clear, organized data visualization with Healthmatters.io — your key to understanding and taking charge of your health journey!
Yes, you can download information from your account. We can compile your labs into a CSV file. To download all your labs, you can go to Account Settings, and at the bottom of the page, you will find a link to download your information.
Yes, you can print your report. To do so, navigate to "All tests" and open the report you wish to print. You'll find a print button in the right corner of the report. Click on it, and your browser's print window will open. If you prefer to print in a bigger typeface, adjust the scale using the print window settings.
A personal account is all about keeping your own lab test results in check. It's just for you and your personal use.
The professional or business account is designed for health professionals who wish to track and organize their clients' laboratory results.
To learn more about Healthmatters Pro, please refer to the professional page.
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.
Acetate, Acinetobacter, Akkermansia muciniphila, b-glucuronidase producing bacteria, Bacteroides, Bacteroides vulgatus, Beta defensin 2, Bifidobacterium, Bifidobacterium animalis, Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis, Bifidobacterium dentium, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium longum, Blautia, Bradyrhizobiaceae, Butyrate, Butyricimonas, Butyrivibrio, Calprotectin, Catenibacterium, Chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), Cholic acid (CA), Christensenella minuta, Clostridia clusters XIVa, Clostridiales Family XIV Incertae Sedis, Clostridium, Clostridium hathewayi, Clostridium ramosum, Clostridium symbiosum, Clotridiales Incertae Sedis IV, Collinsella, Coprococcus, Deoxycholic acid (DCA), Desulfovibrio, Desulfovibrio piger, Eggerthella lenta, Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcus species, Enterotoxigenic E.coli (ETEC) Lt/St, Escherichia coli, Eubacterium, Eubacterium rectale, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Fecal Anti Gliadin, Fecal Eosinophil Protein X, Fecal lactoferrin, Fecal Occult Blood, Fecal pH, Fecal Zonulin, Fusobacterium, Lactobacillaceae, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus animalis, Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus ruminis, LCA/DCA ratio, Leuconostoc, Lithocholic acid (LCA), Long chain fatty acids, Lysozyme, Meat Fiber, Methanobrevibacter smithii, Micrococcus, MMP 9, Pancreatic elastase 1, Peptostreptococcus, Phascolarctobacterium, Prevotella, Prevotella copri, Propionate, Propionibacterium, Propionibacterium freudenreichii, Proteus mirabilis, Roseburia, Ruminococcus obeum, S100A12, Sapovirus I, Sapovirus V, sIgA, Solobacterium moorei, Staphylococcaceae, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus species, Streptococcus species, Streptococcus thermophilus, Total Cholesterol, Total Cholesterol subfraction, Total Fecal Fat, Total Fecal Triglycerides, Total Phospholipid subfraction, Total Phospholipids, Total Short chain fatty acids, Tyzzerella, Tyzzerella 4, Valerate, Vegetable fiber, ß-glucuronidase
