What Does a High Immunoglobulin A, QN and Serum Count Mean?
A high immunoglobulin A, QN and serum count can mean that the body is fighting off an infection, and levels should return to normal after the infection is over, according to HealthTap doctors and Lab Tests Online. However, the test could also mean serious autoimmune disorders or cancer.
The immunoglobulin A, QN and serum count test provides information about the health of a person's immune system, notes Lab Tests Online. Immunoglobulins are antibodies, which are proteins produced by plasma cells, and they target threats to the body. Antibodies are produced in response to exposure to bacteria, viruses, other microorganisms, and substances that are recognized by the body as harmful antigens.
Rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder, is one condition that can cause elevated results on the test, explains MedicineNet. The condition can cause chronic inflammation of the joints and other areas of the body. Signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include joint pain, swollen joints, fever, tender joints and
loss of joint function. A blood test for antibodies can diagnose the condition in 80 percent of people with the disease.
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer, is another condition that can cause elevated results on the test, states MedicineNet. The cancer originates in the lymphatic system and has several subtypes that require different treatments. Signs and symptoms can include swollen lymph nodes, weight loss, fever and night sweats.
