Could someone tell me…I just recieved my lab results for Ebstein-Barr, my dr. said that my numbers are at 2004. Its so hard to get answers from anyone in the medical field. Does anyone know what this means? He said that it is extremely high. He gave me a shot of magnesium/B12 and put me on medication (which I cannot read even what it is)…
Laboratory tests are not always foolproof. For various reasons,
false-positive and false-negative results can occur for any test. However,
the laboratory tests for EBV are for the most part accurate and specific.
Because the antibody response in primary EBV infection appears to be quite
rapid, in most cases testing paired acute- and convalescent-phase serum
samples will not demonstrate a significant change in antibody level.
Effective laboratory diagnosis can be made on a single acute-phase serum
sample by testing for antibodies to several EBV-associated antigens
simultaneously. In most cases, a distinction can be made as to whether a
person is susceptible to EBV, has had a recent infection, has had infection
in the past, or has a reactivated EBV infection.
Antibodies to several antigen complexes may be measured. These antigens are
the viral capsid antigen, the early antigen, and the EBV nuclear antigen
(EBNA). In addition, differentiation of immunoglobulin G and M subclasses to
the viral capsid antigen can often be helpful for confirmation. When the
"mono spot" test is negative, the optimal combination of EBV serologic
testing consists of the antibody titration of four markers: IgM and IgG to
the viral capsid antigen, IgM to the early antigen, and antibody to EBNA.
IgM to the viral capsid antigen appears early in infection and disappears
within 4 to 6 weeks. IgG to the viral capsid antigen appears in the acute
phase, peaks at 2 to 4 weeks after onset, declines slightly, and then
persists for life. IgG to the early antigen appears in the acute phase and
generally falls to undetectable levels after 3 to 6 months. In many people,
detection of antibody to the early antigen is a sign of active infection,
but 20% of healthy people may have this antibody for years.
Antibody to EBNA determined by the standard immunofluorescent test is not
seen in the acute phase, but slowly appears 2 to 4 months after onset, and
persists for life. This is not true for some EBNA enzyme immunoassays, which
detect antibody within a few weeks of onset.
Finally, even when EBV antibody tests, such as the early antigen test,
suggest that reactivated infection is present, this result does not
necessarily indicate that a patient’s current medical condition is caused by
EBV infection. A number of healthy people with no symptoms have antibodies
to the EBV early antigen for years after their initial EBV infection.
Therefore, interpretation of laboratory results is somewhat complex and
should be left to physicians who are familiar with EBV testing and who have
access to the entire clinical picture of a person. To determine if EBV
infection is associated with a current illness, consult with an experienced
physician.
a… IgG. IgG antibodies are found in all body fluids. They are the smallest
but most common antibody (75% to 80%) of all the antibodies in the body. IgG
antibodies are very important in fighting bacterial and viral infections.
IgG antibodies are the only type of antibody that can cross the placenta in
a pregnant woman to help protect her baby (fetus).
a… IgM. IgM antibodies are the largest antibody. They are found in blood
and lymph fluid and are the first type of antibody made in response to an
infection. They also cause other immune system cells to destroy foreign
substances. IgM antibodies are about 5% to 10% of all the antibodies in the
body.
An immunoglobulins test is done to measure the level of immunoglobulins,
also known as antibodies, in your blood.
Normal
Normal values may vary from lab to lab. The results listed below are normal
values for adults. Children have different values than adults. Results are
ready in 1 to 2 days.
Immunoglobulins milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
grams per liter (g/L)
IgA 85-385
0.85-3.85
IgG 565-1765
5.65-17.65
IgM 55-375
0.55-3.75
IgD Less than 8
5-30 micrograms per liter (µg/L)
IgE
10-1421 µg/L
High values
a… IgG. High levels of IgG may mean a long-term (chronic) infection, such
as AIDS, is present. Levels of IgG also get higher in IgG multiple myeloma,
long-term hepatitis, and multiple sclerosis (MS). In multiple myeloma, tumor
cells make only one type of IgG antibody (monoclonal); the other conditions
cause an increase in many types of IgG antibodies (polyclonal).
b… IgM. High levels of IgM can mean macroglobulinemia, early viral
hepatitis, mononucleosis, rheumatoid arthritis, kidney damage (nephrotic
syndrome), or a parasite infection is present. Because IgM antibodies are
the type that form when an infection occurs for the first time, high levels
of IgM can mean a new infection is present. High levels of IgM in a newborn
mean that the baby has an infection that started in the uterus before
delivery.
Low values
a… IgG. Low levels of IgG occur in macroglobulinemia. In this disease, the
high levels of IgM antibodies stop the growth of cells that make IgG. Other
conditions that can cause low levels of IgG include some types of leukemia
and a type of kidney damage (nephrotic syndrome). In rare cases, some people
are born with a lack of IgG antibodies. These people are more likely to
develop infections.
a… IgM. Low levels of IgM occur in multiple myeloma, some types of
leukemia, and in some inherited types of immune diseases.
a… Immunoglobulins are made specific to different illnesses. For example,
the IgM antibody for mononucleosis is different than the IgM for herpes. For
this reason, a doctor can look for an immunoglobulin to a specific illness
to help diagnose that illness.
a… Different antibodies can be used to help a doctor tell the difference
between a new and past infection. For example, IgM antibodies for
mononucleosis with or without IgG antibodies means a new mono infection. IgG
antibodies without IgM means a past mono infection.
a… People with very low immunoglobulin levels, especially IgA, IgG, and
IgM, have a higher chance of developing an infection.
------- Cindi, I found this on Web MD and from my Dr.
Lane
----- Original Message -----
From: “Cindi” ebv-cpt5358@lists.careplace.com
To: l.tokarski@verizon.net
Sent: Monday, July 23, 2007 4:25 PM
Subject: [ebv] Does anyone know what this means?
Those numbers seem high compared to mine…but i dont know how to read?What
medication?There is no medication for EBV…there is no cure???
Im confused?
Thank you
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Hi cindi…
My numbers were 2354 last month so i know what you are feeling…my doc contacted an immunoligst and they put me on valtrex 1gram per day as an experiment…fine by me…by the second week i am feeling like my old self again…i didnt get a shot of b12 but ive heard people talking about that…
anyway i would like to know what they put you on??
cj