Immunological Analyses

What these investigations entail

Immunological analyzes are designed to provide information about how the immune system works and about possible abnormal reactions of the immune system. They are frequently used to guide the diagnosis and monitor for autoimmune, inflammatory, allergic diseases or immune deficiencies, depending on the symptomatology and doctor's recommendation. In laboratory practice, this category includes tests for autoimmunity, allergy, immunochemistry and some forms of antibody deficiency.

When is it recommended to schedule

It is recommended to perform immunological tests when there are symptoms or contexts that raise the suspicion of an autoimmune or inflammatory disease, such as persistent fatigue, joint pain, rash, recurrent inflammation, altered results of other tests, suspicion of allergy or repeated infections. Likewise, these investigations can also be useful for monitoring an already known condition or for clarifying inconclusive results from previous evaluations.

Services offered in the CMIB

Clinical evaluation and interpretation of analyzes in the immunological context
Recommendation of appropriate tests according to symptoms and clinical suspicion
Analyzes for autoantibodies, immunoglobulins, inflammation and other specific markers
Correlation of results with medical history and other investigations
Personalized monitoring and guidance plans for appropriate medical conduct

The immune system has the role of recognizing and fighting agents that can affect the body, but sometimes it can react abnormally, either by attacking its own tissues or by overreacting or inadequate. For this reason, immunological tests are useful when it comes to clarifying persistent symptoms, inflammatory processes or suspicions of autoimmunity or allergy.

Depending on the context, the doctor may recommend different tests. Some track the presence of autoantibodies, such as ANA, used as a guideline test in certain autoimmune diseases; others measure immunoglobulins, such as IgG, IgA, IgM or IgE, or components of the complement, which participate in the immune and inflammatory response. In addition, markers such as ESR and CRP can help to assess inflammation, although they are not exclusively specific to immunological diseases.

For a correct assessment, it is important to follow some essential steps:

Let's describe the symptoms and their duration as accurately as possible.
Let's evaluate, together with the specialist doctor, personal and family history.
Let's perform only the tests recommended for the existing clinical context.
Let's interpret the results together with the doctor, not in isolation.
Let us periodically re-evaluate the analyzes when monitoring is necessary.

1.From the very first stage, it is important to distinguish between an orientation test and a definite diagnosis. For example, ANA may be useful as an initial test in the evaluation of some autoimmune diseases, but it is considered relatively nonspecific and, when positive, may require additional tests for clarification.

2.Immunological analyzes do not mean a single test, but a group of investigations chosen according to clinical suspicion. In immunological practice, tests for autoantibodies, immunoglobulins, complement and markers associated with inflammation or allergic reactions can be used. Immunology laboratories use such tests in the evaluation of autoimmune, allergic, inflammatory diseases and some antibody disorders.

Among the investigations that may be of importance in immunological evaluation are:
tests for autoantibodies, such as ANA and other tests recommended later,
immunoglobulins, such as IgG, IgA, IgM or IgE,
components of the complement system,
inflammatory markers, such as ESR and CRP,
other specific tests recommended depending on the symptomatology and context.

3.The results should always be interpreted in a clinical context. A positive test does not automatically mean an active disease, and a normal test does not rule out all possible conditions. Therefore, the doctor correlates the analyzes with the symptoms, clinical examination and possible complementary investigations, in order to avoid erroneous conclusions.

4.General recommendations for people interested in immunological assessment include:

conducting analyzes only on the recommendation of a doctor,
presentation to the consultation when symptoms persist or recur,
preservation of previous results for comparison,
avoiding isolated interpretation of a single marker,
following established medical conduct after integrating all clinical data.

Depending on the results, the doctor may recommend additional analyzes, periodic monitoring or referral to the appropriate specialty, when the clinical picture requires it.

Immunological analyzes are useful both at the stage of diagnosis and in monitoring the development of already known diseases. They can help guide the assessment in suspicions of autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, allergies or certain immune disorders, but should not be viewed separately from the rest of the medical context.

5. When do we ask ourselves the question of carrying out immunological analyzes?
When there are persistent symptoms without a clear explanation, suspicion of autoimmune or allergic disease, recurrent infections, altered inflammatory markers, or when the doctor wants clarification of biological or clinical results. In many situations, these analyzes have value especially when they are targeted and interpreted in a complete medical context.

Schedule a consultation at the CMIB

At CMIB, we carefully evaluate the clinical context and recommend the appropriate immunological investigations to each patient, for the correct orientation of diagnosis and monitoring. Make an appointment for a consultation and find out which immunological tests are recommended in your case.

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