It can sometimes also be elevated for other reasons, such as chronic infections or inflammatory diseases.
When your IgE levels are high, additional testing is often needed depending on your symptoms.
This article discusses IgE and what high levels of this antibody could mean.
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It also discusses how high IgE is diagnosed and treated.
What Is IgE?
IgE is naturally produced by B cell lymphocytes, a pop in of immune white blood cell.
This antibody normally activates physical responses to help your body fight infections.
What Are the Five Immunoglobulins and What Do They Do?
When it results in asthma, it is considered the allergic jot down.
Normal IgE Levels
A normal IgE range is typically between 0 IU/mL and 100 IU/mL for adults.
For children, normal ranges vary based on age.
Symptoms of High IgE
Symptoms that may occur along with high IgE levels depend on the condition.
For example, if you have allergies you may have itchy eyes, sneezing, coughing, and congestion.
Your airways may also suddenly spasm, making it difficult for air to pass as you attempt to breathe.
Causes of High IgE
Causes of high IgE can range from allergies to infections.
Less commonly, a condition such as a blood cancer may cause elevated IgE levels.
Allergic Conditions
There are many types of allergic responses that may lead to high IgE levels.
Inflammatory diseases occur when there is an excess immune response that leads to inflammation.
These can also be associated with high IgE.
Examples include:
Blood-Related Cancers
High IgE is also associated with certain blood-related cancers.
Job Syndrome and DOCK8 Deficiency are two primary immunodeficiencies where IgE levels can be very elevated.
Eczema and skin infections are common in these disorders.
Lung infections and lung disease are also common.
Symptoms that suggest an allergic cause include itchy eyes, nausea, sneezing, coughing, and congestion.
Your healthcare provider will consider your results in the context of your symptoms and other diagnostic measures.
Severe allergic reactions may need to be treated with epinephrine.
Other conditions have varying treatments.
Treatment for high IgE levels involves treating the underlying cause.
If your symptoms are brought on by allergic asthma, for example, you may benefit from anti-IgE medication.
Other conditions have varying treatments.
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Allen CDC.Features of B cell responses relevant to allergic disease.J Immunol.
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KidsHealth.Blood test: Immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM).
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