---
title: "What does a high Total IgA mean?"
type: biomarker-interpretation
url: "https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/total-iga/high"
biomarker: Total IgA
direction: high
reference_range:
  - "age 18+: 70.0 – 400 mg/dL"
reviewed_at: 2026-09-08
review_status: reviewed
date_published: 2026-09-05
---

# What does a high Total IgA mean?

> High total IgA reflects chronic immune stimulation — liver disease (alcohol-related and cirrhosis are classic), chronic infections, inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, IgA nephropathy — or, when very high with other abnormal proteins, an IgA-type multiple myeloma. Mild elevations are common and need context rather than alarm.


## What is the normal range for Total IgA?

- age 18+: 70.0 – 400 mg/dL



## What are the common causes of high Total IgA?

1. Alcohol-related liver disease, cirrhosis
2. Chronic infections (skin, gut, respiratory), HIV
3. Inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, IgA nephropathy, celiac disease
4. IgA multiple myeloma or MGUS (usually with other protein abnormalities)

## What symptoms go with high Total IgA?

- None from IgA itself

## What do clinicians usually check next?

- Liver panel, CRP, urinalysis (blood/protein for IgA nephropathy)
- Serum protein electrophoresis with immunofixation if markedly high or with anemia, bone pain or kidney changes

Follow-up tests at TestWell: [C-Reactive Protein (CRP)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/crp) ($26.99).

## How do you recheck Total IgA?

| Test or panel | Type | Price | Fasting | Results |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Gut Health Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/gut-health-panel) | Panel (5 tests) | $129.99 | No | 3–7 business days |
| [Celiac Disease Panel](https://www.test-well.com/tests/celiac-disease-comprehensive) | Test | $124.99 | No | 3–7 business days |

Plus one $6 lab processing fee per order; physician authorization included.

## Common questions

### Does high IgA mean I have an autoimmune disease?

Not by itself. Liver disease and chronic infections are more common causes. It is a prompt to look at the liver and kidneys and for a monoclonal protein when very high.

## Related

- [What does a low Total IgA mean?](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/total-iga/low)
- [Total IgA reference ranges](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/total-iga)
- [hs-CRP reference range](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/hs-crp)
- [ESR reference range](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/esr)
- [C-Reactive Protein reference range](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/c-reactive-protein)

## Sources

- [Mayo Clinic Labs](https://www.mayocliniclabs.com/test-catalog/overview/8158)
- [MedlinePlus (NIH) — Immunoglobulins Blood Test](https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/immunoglobulins-blood-test/)

---

Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-08. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/editorial-policy

Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/total-iga/high
Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt

Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.