What Are the Causes for Low Antibody Levels?
People with low antibody levels may suffer from leukemia, macroglobulinemia, multiple myeloma, kidney disease, enteropathy, certain inherited immune diseases and ataxia-telangiectasia, according to WebMD. It is also possible for people to be born with unusually low levels of some antibodies, such as immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin G.
It is possible for certain factors to affect the accuracy of an immunoglobulin test, such as specific medications designed to treat seizures, heart failure, rheumatoid arthritis and birth control drugs, explains WebMD. People who are being treated with chemotherapy or radiation therapy or who have undergone a blood transfusion within six months of an immunoglobulin test are likely to receive skewed results. Booster vaccines, drug and alcohol use and recent radioactive scans can also interfere with test results.
Low levels of antibodies often make a person more likely to develop recurring infections and suffer from certain autoimmune diseases, explains WebMD. The body relies on several different antibodies to fight infectious diseases, allergens, viruses and bacteria. Antibodies are designed to react to only one type of illness and do not respond to others. There are five major types of antibodies that are found in various parts of the body, including the blood and lymph fluid, saliva, tears, mucous membranes, digestive tract and breathing passages.
