Igm

IgM, also called immunoglobulin M, is an antibody molecule whose function is to activate the complement system. An increased IgM antibody value therefore indicates an existing reaction of the immune defence.

Standard value: The reference range is between 0.4 and 2.8 g/l for women and between 0.4 and 2.3 g/l for men.

Pathologically decreased: B and T cell defects, combined immunodeficiencies, viral infections, exudative enteropathy, nephrotic syndrome, burns, malignant monoclonal gammopathies, lymphatic leukemias, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas, drugs

Pathologically increased: malignant and benign monoclonal IgM gammopathy, acute hepatitis, chronic persistent hepatitis, infections, rheumatic diseases, liver cirrhosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, infections.

Monoclonal IgM gammopathy is present in 3.2-3.5% of >50 year olds (Grunenberg A et al. 2017)

1. Grunenberg A et al (2017) monoclonal IgM gammopathy and Waldenström's disease. Dtsch Ärztebl 114: 745-751