Hypergammaglobulinemia
Hypergammaglobulinemia (pronunciation: hi-per-gam-ma-glob-u-lin-e-me-a) is a medical condition characterized by an abnormally high level of immunoglobulins (also known as antibodies) in the blood.
Etymology
The term "Hypergammaglobulinemia" is derived from the Greek words "hyper" meaning over or above, "gamma" referring to the third letter of the Greek alphabet, and "globulin" which is a broad term for proteins that are soluble in water. The suffix "-emia" is also Greek, meaning blood condition.
Types
There are several types of Hypergammaglobulinemia, including:
- Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS): This is a condition in which an abnormal protein (M protein) is found in the blood during standard laboratory tests. It is not cancer, but people with MGUS have an increased risk of developing Multiple Myeloma or other similar diseases.
- Polyclonal Gammopathy: This is a condition characterized by increased levels of several different types of immunoglobulins in the blood. It is often associated with chronic inflammatory or infectious diseases.
Symptoms
Symptoms of Hypergammaglobulinemia can vary widely depending on the underlying cause, but may include fatigue, joint pain, and swelling of the lymph nodes.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of Hypergammaglobulinemia typically involves blood tests to measure the levels of immunoglobulins. Further testing may be required to determine the underlying cause.
Treatment
Treatment for Hypergammaglobulinemia typically involves addressing the underlying cause. This may involve medication to reduce inflammation or treat an underlying infection, or in some cases, chemotherapy or stem cell transplantation may be required.
See Also
- Immunoglobulins
- Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance
- Polyclonal Gammopathy
- Multiple Myeloma
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Hypergammaglobulinemia
- Wikipedia's article - Hypergammaglobulinemia
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