I've done a search for it but haven't found a clear cut answer as to what it actually is. My GI has never mentioned this and may not know about it so I'd like to get him some literature on it if anyone can point me to a good source.

IgG4 is a subclass of immunoglobin G, which are antibodies. IgG4 is associated with a number of autoimmune systemic diseases, not just pouchitis.

http://www.ganfyd.org/index.ph...IgG4-related_disease

Dr. Shen has been studying the presence of elevated serum levels of this immune marker and found an association with antibiotic refactory chronic pouchitis.

http://www.springerlink.com/content/v3jl5271h1040768/

So, basically, it is a fairly non-specific serological marker, not a test for a specific disease. So, unless you have chronic pouchitis that is not responding to standard treatment, there would not be a reason for this test. It is mostly to get some added information when trying to figure out a possible effective treatment if you are not responding to antibiotics.

Jan

I am being tested for this tomorrow. I can report back my results. All I know is it is a type of autoimmune pouchitis that I believe is refractory to antibiotics. There have been some posts with articles on here about it if you search on IGG4.