Hypogammaglobulinemia, and failed vaccine challenge, but no infection?
I know this group is for PIDs but I’m not sure where else to find someone in this predicament. I grew up with an autoimmune disease called JIA, amid other health issues, some which may be autoimmune as well. I was treated with rituximab from 2016-2019 and the only thing that my bloodwork revealed at the time was an IgG 3 subclass deficiency and I did have frequent infections at that time.
I recently had bloodwork done for small fiber neuropathy and it uncovered a low gamma globulin amount. So my doctor dug deeper and here is what they found:
IgA: <5
IgG: 477 and deficient in all subclasses except 4
IgM: 45
IgE: <2
I had the pneumococcal titers done and I was low in about half of them. I received Prevnar 20 because I couldn’t get Pneumovax. Got my repeat titers and I have NO protection to ANY serotype.
The strange thing is: I don’t have frequent infections right now. In the past six years, I’ve only had a few infections, both bacterial and viral. Shouldn’t I be sicker?
My immunologist wants me on IVIG or SCIG but I don’t think my insurance (Medicare and Medicaid) will approve it because of the lack of infection.
Anyone else ever been in this boat?