Is IgA Deficiency a disease to be afraid of? Let's find out exactly what it is!

Do you often get colds and coughs? Or do you feel like you get sick more quickly than others? Maybe your doctor checked your blood test and said that you have a low level of IgA in your body. When you hear this name, you may be scared and ask, "What disease is this?" But don't worry. Today, we will simply talk about what IgA deficiency is and whether it really causes us problems.

First, let's see what this IgA is?

Simply put, our bodies have a defense system that prevents diseases. We call this the immune system . This system is like an army in our country. The job of this army is to protect us by identifying and fighting against foreign enemies like germs, viruses, and bacteria.

So, one of the special soldiers in this army is called antibodies . Another name for these antibodies is immunoglobulins. There are several types of these. One of them is called immunoglobulin A. We call it IgA for short.

The main job of IgA soldiers is to protect the mucous membranes in our respiratory tract (nose, throat, lungs), digestive tract (from mouth to intestines), eyes, ears, etc. These are the gateways through which germs can easily enter the body. So IgA stands guard at these gateways, stopping incoming enemies before they can enter.

So what is IgA deficiency?

IgA deficiency means that your body's immune system can't make enough of these special soldiers called IgA. Some people make very little of them. Others may not make them at all.

The reason for this is that a type of white blood cell in our body called B cells does not work properly. These B cells are like factories that make antibodies like IgA. So if there is a defect in these factories, production decreases.

Imagine you're putting together a big puzzle, but it's missing a few pieces. Even though you can put together the whole picture, there are still gaps here and there. That's what happens to our immune system when IgA is lost. There's a little gap in the immune system.

So what are the symptoms of this?

As we said before, most people don't have symptoms. But some people, especially those with very low IgA levels, can have some problems. The main thing is that they get infections more often than others. Because the guard at the door is weak, germs can easily enter.

Additionally, some people with IgA deficiency are at slightly increased risk of developing other health conditions.

• Asthma
• Various allergies (Allergies)
• Digestive system diseases, for example Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis .

Why does someone develop IgA deficiency?

This is often a genetic condition . That is, it is passed down from parents to children through genes. If someone in your family has this condition, you are at higher risk of developing it too.

Very rarely, low IgA levels can also be a side effect of using certain medications. For example :

• Some immunosuppressants
• Phenytoin
• Sulfasalazine

Can IgA deficiency cause other complications?

Again, most people don't have any complications. The main problem for some is getting sick frequently.

However, people with IgA deficiency are at a slightly higher risk of developing certain autoimmune diseases than others. An autoimmune disease is when our body's defense system malfunctions and starts attacking our own healthy cells instead of attacking foreign invaders.

Do you feel tired because of low IgA?

IgA deficiency itself does not cause fatigue. However, if you have an autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis, you may experience fatigue as a symptom of that disease. If you are constantly feeling tired and lethargic, it is important to talk to your doctor about it.

How does a doctor diagnose this condition?

This is often discovered by chance. When you have a blood test for another condition, the report may show that your IgA levels are low.

Or, if you get sick frequently, or know someone in your family has this condition, your doctor may be suspicious and order a special blood test to check your IgA levels.

What are the treatments for this?

There is no specific treatment or cure for IgA deficiency. Most people do not have any problems with it and do not need treatment. Treatment is limited to the symptoms or infections that occur as a result.

• Treatment for infections: If you develop a bacterial infection, your doctor will prescribe appropriate antibiotics.
• Strengthening the immune system: Very rarely, doctors may decide to give someone who frequently develops severe infections a shot called IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin) to strengthen the immune system.
• Treatment for other diseases: If you have an associated autoimmune disease, appropriate treatment will be provided.

This condition cannot be completely cured, but some children may recover some of their IgA production as they grow older.

When should I see a doctor?

If you feel like you're always sick, or if you're taking a long time to recover from a minor illness, be sure to see a doctor for advice. It's not normal to be sick all the time. It's important to find out the cause.

If anyone in your family has IgA deficiency, tell your doctor about it too.