Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Does High IgG Value Indicate?
Question: I am curious about length of infection. I have had one IGG test (HSV 1 and 2) as well as a IgM/IgG test for HSV 1 and 2. They were approximately 2 weeks apart from one another.
Here are the following ranges for the tests.
Negative <0.91
Equivocal 0.91 - 1.09
Positive >1.09
My results were negative for HSV 2 on all tests.
The first test was taken after approximately 6 weeks of exposure.
My results on the first test (IgG only) was HSV 1 = 15.1 High. No IgM was taken.
I took a second test 2 weeks later.... approximately 8 weeks after exposure.
The second test I took was both an IgM and IgG test. I was NEGATIVE for IgM HSV1 and HSV2 and POSITIVE for IgG HSV1. The IgG HSV 1 value was 13.6 HIGH.
My IgG values are higher than I have seen on any of the forums I have looked at. Why are they so high? Does a higher IgG value mean the infection is relatively recent and immune system is highly active or does it indicate that I have built up a high level of antibodies and that it is an old infection? Why did the lab value change over the course of two weeks. Again, I have not seen values this high anywhere I have looked. Please share your clinical experience and understanding about lab values.
Lastly, I have read that IgM antibodies are often undetected after 4-8 weeks. Is this accurate or are they typically detectable for a longer period of time. I am trying to decipher approx how long ago this infection was. Basically, I want to get a sense whether it was >6-8 months ago or within the last 2-3 months.
Thank you for your time.
Here are the following ranges for the tests.
Negative <0.91
Equivocal 0.91 - 1.09
Positive >1.09
My results were negative for HSV 2 on all tests.
The first test was taken after approximately 6 weeks of exposure.
My results on the first test (IgG only) was HSV 1 = 15.1 High. No IgM was taken.
I took a second test 2 weeks later.... approximately 8 weeks after exposure.
The second test I took was both an IgM and IgG test. I was NEGATIVE for IgM HSV1 and HSV2 and POSITIVE for IgG HSV1. The IgG HSV 1 value was 13.6 HIGH.
My IgG values are higher than I have seen on any of the forums I have looked at. Why are they so high? Does a higher IgG value mean the infection is relatively recent and immune system is highly active or does it indicate that I have built up a high level of antibodies and that it is an old infection? Why did the lab value change over the course of two weeks. Again, I have not seen values this high anywhere I have looked. Please share your clinical experience and understanding about lab values.
Lastly, I have read that IgM antibodies are often undetected after 4-8 weeks. Is this accurate or are they typically detectable for a longer period of time. I am trying to decipher approx how long ago this infection was. Basically, I want to get a sense whether it was >6-8 months ago or within the last 2-3 months.
Thank you for your time.
Brief Answer:
Values not indicating the severity of the disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
First of all, I want to stress that HSV 1 is not necessarily transmitted through sex contact. You are negative for HSV 2. That means you are not having sexually transmitted HSV infection.
Regarding the test result Your HSV 1 IgM is negative and Ig G is positive. That means your HSV 1 is not a recent infection. By the values, it is not indicating how old the infection is. As you pointed out, individual (immune system) body reacts differently. No blood values inside our body remain static.
Technician's observation and expression may have variations. You need not bother about how much the value was. Only to note whether positive or not. Definitely the raised values are not indicating the severity of the disease. I hope that I am clear and you got my point.
Dr S.Murugan
Values not indicating the severity of the disease.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
First of all, I want to stress that HSV 1 is not necessarily transmitted through sex contact. You are negative for HSV 2. That means you are not having sexually transmitted HSV infection.
Regarding the test result Your HSV 1 IgM is negative and Ig G is positive. That means your HSV 1 is not a recent infection. By the values, it is not indicating how old the infection is. As you pointed out, individual (immune system) body reacts differently. No blood values inside our body remain static.
Technician's observation and expression may have variations. You need not bother about how much the value was. Only to note whether positive or not. Definitely the raised values are not indicating the severity of the disease. I hope that I am clear and you got my point.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
When you say it is not a recent infection, what does that mean? What timeframe defines recent?
Brief Answer:
IgM HSV antibody will disappear after 8 weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
IgM antibody would disappear after 6-8 weeks after the Herpes infection. IgG will present for many years after 8 weeks.
You would understand the difference between the recent infection and the old infection.
Dr S XXXXXXX
IgM HSV antibody will disappear after 8 weeks.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
IgM antibody would disappear after 6-8 weeks after the Herpes infection. IgG will present for many years after 8 weeks.
You would understand the difference between the recent infection and the old infection.
Dr S XXXXXXX
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
