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Allergy & Intolerance

Total IgA: Normal Values and Why It Is Measured in Coeliac Testing

Total IgA is essential alongside coeliac screening to ensure test reliability and provides a baseline assessment of mucosal immune function.

Doctor's Assessment Included

IgA is an antibody, a protein that helps fight infections, found mainly in the stomach, the gut, saliva and breast milk. For adults the lower limit at the four laboratories lies between 0.4 and 0.7 g/l and the upper limit between 3.5 and 4.0 g/l.

  • Total IgA is measured alongside the coeliac test anti-tTG IgA: with an IgA deficiency, that coeliac test can be falsely negative.
  • For children with a low total IgA, low for their age or below 0.2 g/l from age 3, the Dutch coeliac guideline advises a coeliac test based on IgG.
  • According to the NVKC, a slight rise in antibodies such as IgA is common during or just after an infection.

Total IgA: what Dutch laboratories use

There is no nationally agreed reference value; this is what individual laboratories publish.

The upper limit runs from 3.5 g/l at Star-shl to 4 g/l at Unilabs.

Reference ranges by group, in g/l
Star-shl · Everyone · 18 years and older 0.4–3.5 g/l
0.4 3.5
Unilabs · Everyone · 16 years and older 0.7–4.0 g/l
0.7 4
Certe · Everyone · 19 years and older 0.7–4.0 g/L
0.7 4
Diagnostiek voor U · Everyone · 16 years and older 0.4–3.5 g/L
0.4 3.5
0 4.4 g/l

Source: Star-shl

Source: Unilabs

Source: Certe

Source: Diagnostiek voor U

Each value as the laboratory itself publishes it, retrieved in 2026.

Total IgA: what this test measures

This test measures the total concentration of immunoglobulin A in your blood serum, providing an overall assessment of IgA production.

Total IgA: why this value matters

IgA deficiency affects about 1 in 500 people and is essential to measure alongside coeliac antibody tests because deficiency renders these tests unreliable. Low IgA may also be associated with increased susceptibility to mucosal infections.

Total IgA: how the blood test works

Referral
No GP referral needed. After the order we arrange the referral through ZorgDomein, within one business day; orders after 17:00 or at the weekend start on the next business day. ZorgDomein emails a barcode, and that barcode is what the draw site needs.
The draw
A blood draw from a vein in the arm, at a partner laboratory's draw site. No home kit, no finger prick.
Which test
on its own €114,-
Where
650+ draw sites run by independent laboratories across the Netherlands. Draw sites

Total IgA: when is testing worthwhile?

Total IgA should be measured alongside coeliac disease antibody tests to validate reliability. It could also be indicated when recurrent mucosal infections are present.

Total IgA: symptoms of a high or low value

Low Levels

Selective IgA deficiency may be asymptomatic or associated with recurrent sinusitis, respiratory infections, and gastrointestinal infections. It also causes false-negative IgA-based antibody tests.

High Levels

Elevated total IgA may be seen in chronic infections, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease, IgA nephropathy, and autoimmune conditions.

Total IgA: causes of a low or high value

What lowers the value

  • IgA deficiency without symptoms

    According to the NVKC, about 1 in 700 people has an IgA deficiency without symptoms.

  • Some medicines

    Medicines such as phenytoin and sulfasalazine can cause an IgA deficiency in some users.

  • Protein loss through the gut

    A gut disease that leads to protein loss can lower IgA.

What raises the value

  • Chronic infections, especially of the gut

    Chronic infections, especially of the stomach and gut, can raise IgA.

  • Inflammatory bowel disease

    Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can raise IgA.

  • Alcohol-related liver disease

    In a study of people with alcohol-related liver disease, IgA was raised in about 70 percent.

  • Multiple myeloma

    IgA can also be raised in multiple myeloma, a form of bone marrow cancer.

Total IgA: lifestyle and this value

If IgA deficiency is confirmed, inform your healthcare providers so they use IgG-based tests for coeliac screening. Practice good hygiene, stay vaccinated, and report recurrent infections promptly.

Total IgA: frequently asked questions

Why is total IgA tested with coeliac antibodies?

Most coeliac blood tests are IgA-based. IgA deficiency makes these tests falsely negative. Measuring total IgA ensures test reliability.

Is IgA deficiency serious?

Most people with selective IgA deficiency are healthy. The main importance is knowing about it to avoid false-negative tests.

Can IgA deficiency be treated?

There is no specific treatment. Management focuses on treating infections and using alternative tests when needed.

Total IgA: sources

  1. Star-shl, Labbepalingen (referentiewaarden per bepaling), star-shl.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) star-shl.nl
  2. Unilabs, Bepalingenklapper (referentiewaarden per bepaling), bepalingenklapper.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) bepalingenklapper.nl
  3. Certe, Bepalingenwijzer (referentiewaarden per bepaling), bepalingenwijzer.certe.nl, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) bepalingenwijzer.certe.nl
  4. Diagnostiek voor U, eLabgids (Referentiewaarden DvU), diagnostiek.getincontrol.eu, geraadpleegd 2026-10-01 (retrieved 2026) diagnostiek.getincontrol.eu
  5. NVKC, Zinnige Diagnostiek: coeliakie, 2015, geraadpleegd 2026-10-06 (retrieved 2026) nvkc.nl
  6. Fernandez J. Selective IgA Deficiency. MSD Manual Professional Version, October 2024. (retrieved 2026) msdmanuals.com
  7. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Quantitative nephelometry test, review date 5/1/2026, consulted 2026-10-06. (retrieved 2026) medlineplus.gov
  8. Serum immunoglobulin A levels and alcohol-induced liver disease. Can Liver J 2020;3(2). (retrieved 2026) pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tests with related values

These panels measure values from the same category as this marker.

Whoop

Whoop Metabolic Health

A 52-biomarker metabolic panel inspired by the WHOOP Metabolic Health Panel — blood sugar regulation, insulin, thyroid, liver and the mineral cofactors behind your metabolism.

Complete Blood Count (CBC) ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) Albumin Total Protein Bilirubin (Total) ApoB (Apolipoprotein B) Total Cholesterol LDL Cholesterol HDL Cholesterol Triglycerides Lipoprotein(a) Urea (BUN) Creatinine eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) Calcium Bicarbonate Chloride Sodium Potassium Magnesium Cortisol DHEA-S Estradiol (E2) FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) LH (Luteinizing Hormone) SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) Total Testosterone Free Testosterone TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Glucose (Fasting) HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin) Insulin (Fasting) HOMA-IR CRP (C-Reactive Protein) Homocysteine Ferritin Iron (Serum) Transferrin Transferrin Saturation Vitamin D (25-OH) Leptin Zinc Selenium Iodine Copper Free T3 (Triiodothyronine) Free T4 (Thyroxine) GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase) Bilirubin (Direct) Bilirubin (Indirect) Cholesterol/HDL Ratio Non-HDL Cholesterol LDL/HDL Ratio
€799,-
Whoop

Whoop Women's Health

A 54-biomarker women's health panel inspired by the WHOOP Women's Health Panel — fertility, cycle and thyroid hormones plus a complete metabolic and nutrient base.

Complete Blood Count (CBC) ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) Albumin Total Protein Bilirubin (Total) ApoB (Apolipoprotein B) Total Cholesterol LDL Cholesterol HDL Cholesterol Triglycerides Lipoprotein(a) Urea (BUN) Creatinine eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) Calcium Bicarbonate Chloride Sodium Potassium Magnesium Cortisol DHEA-S Estradiol (E2) FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) LH (Luteinizing Hormone) SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) Total Testosterone Free Testosterone TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Glucose (Fasting) HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin) Insulin (Fasting) HOMA-IR CRP (C-Reactive Protein) Homocysteine Ferritin Iron (Serum) Transferrin Transferrin Saturation Vitamin D (25-OH) AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) Progesterone Prolactin TPO Antibodies Free T3 (Triiodothyronine) Free T4 (Thyroxine) Leptin Vitamin B12 Folate (Folic Acid) Phosphorus Bilirubin (Direct) Bilirubin (Indirect) Cholesterol/HDL Ratio Non-HDL Cholesterol LDL/HDL Ratio
€709,-
Whoop

Whoop Men's Health

A 49-biomarker men's health panel inspired by the WHOOP Men's Health Panel — testosterone, PSA and prostate health plus a complete metabolic and hormone base.

Complete Blood Count (CBC) ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) Albumin Total Protein Bilirubin (Total) ApoB (Apolipoprotein B) Total Cholesterol LDL Cholesterol HDL Cholesterol Triglycerides Lipoprotein(a) Urea (BUN) Creatinine eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate) Calcium Bicarbonate Chloride Sodium Potassium Magnesium Cortisol DHEA-S Estradiol (E2) FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone) LH (Luteinizing Hormone) SHBG (Sex Hormone Binding Globulin) Total Testosterone Free Testosterone TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) Glucose (Fasting) HbA1c (Glycated Hemoglobin) Insulin (Fasting) HOMA-IR CRP (C-Reactive Protein) Homocysteine Ferritin Iron (Serum) Transferrin Transferrin Saturation Vitamin D (25-OH) PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) Prolactin Leptin Uric Acid Zinc Bilirubin (Direct) Bilirubin (Indirect) Cholesterol/HDL Ratio Non-HDL Cholesterol LDL/HDL Ratio
€659,-

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Total IgA

€114,-