and others- changes in diagnoses

January 27, 2000

, something that you and others have mentioned recently has been

changes in PID diagnoses over time. I have a question re: this.

After many ear infections, colds, and URIs, my son was first tested at 8

months and found to have no detectable IgA. All other levels were

within normal limits, except the IgG Subclass 4, which was less than 1.

When he was retested again after his first birthday, the IgA was still

undetectable and the IgM had dropped to just below the normal range for

his age. The IgG Subclass 4 had gone up to normal limits.

When I asked our immunologist if his numbers could go down in other

areas over time- she said it was " doubtful " they would go lower.

However, from your own account and from some readings I have done, it

seems as if this IS a possibility. Does anyone have any additional,

more specific information on immunoglobulin values and resulting

diagnoses changing and the likelihood that this might happen (i.e. how

likely are the values to change, why, are there intervening factors or

variables or other medical information that make a noteable change in

numbers more likely)? (I hope I am making sense here... I have less

experience than all of you in the ins and outs of PID and the tests

done.)

Thanks in advance for the benefit of all of your knowledge.

P.S. Re: immunizations- we were told that Ben should have all of his

immunizations, even after the IgA deficiency was diagnosed and that is

what we have done. No unusual reactions noted. But no further testing

has been done on his blood vis a vis these immunizations (not sure of

the technical language for this that some of you have mentioned.)

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