Immune deficiency

An evaluation begins with a careful look at the pattern of infections: what kind they were, how serious, how often and how well they responded to treatment. Your allergist will also ask about family history, because some immune conditions run in families. Records from hospital stays, cultures and earlier tests give important clues, and you or your doctor can bring them to the visit.

Depending on the situation, blood tests may look at blood-cell counts, immunoglobulin levels, antibody responses and other parts of the immune system. More testing may be suggested depending on the first results. A single abnormal result does not always mean an immune deficiency, so results are read together with your history. You can read more on our immune deficiency evaluation page.

Many people who are assessed turn out not to have an immune deficiency. In that case, your allergist can talk with you about other possible explanations for the infections and can share their findings with your own doctor.

Your clinic will tell you before the visit what, if anything, needs to be paused. Please do not pause any medication unless the clinic or your own doctor has told you to.

Our pediatric and adult allergists see all ages. Immune conditions can appear in infancy, childhood or adult life, and children and adults can both be evaluated at the same clinic, in person or virtually.