Section Menu

IgG4 Related Disease Center

Henry Ford Health is home to one of only a few centers in the country dedicated to treating immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) related disease (IgG4-RD). Our program provides comprehensive care for patients with this complex condition.
Doctor holding an xray of a hand and pointing out affected areas to the patient

Learn More About IgG4-Related Disease Care

Speak with your primary care provider to obtain a referral before scheduling your appointment.

Schedule an Appointment

For years, Henry Ford Health has been a respected leader in IgG4-related disease care. Our multidisciplinary team combines their expertise and knowledge to provide a treatment plan that meets all your needs. Here, you’ll discover what sets our clinic apart.

Why choose Henry Ford Health for IgG4-related disease care?

IgG4-related disease is an inflammatory condition that can affect nearly any organ. This condition occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. Because IgG4-RD can mimic other conditions, diagnosis can be challenging. Our experts specialize in these diseases and can provide you with the answers — and treatment — you deserve.

The Henry Ford Health difference:

  • Leading-edge expertise: We are home to one of the nation’s leading dedicated IgG4-related disease centers. Our experts established the program in 2013. Since then, we have cared for one of the largest populations with IgG4-related disease in the U.S., including patients with complex, multi-organ involvement.
  • Coordinated care: Our team of specialists meets regularly to discuss your care. This collaboration helps avoid duplicate tests and delivers a treatment plan that addresses every aspect of your health.
  • Advanced treatments: As part of a major academic medical center with an active research program, we offer clinical trials for IgG4-related disease. These trials give you options when standard treatments haven't worked, and you have access to care not widely available elsewhere.

Our multidisciplinary approach for IgG4-related disease

Henry Ford Health's IgG4-Related Disease Clinic includes a team of specialists who work together to provide coordinated care. A dedicated multidisciplinary team collaborates to confirm diagnoses and develop individualized treatment plans. Our team includes:

  • Rheumatologists for coordination and management of your overall treatment plan
  • Radiologists for diagnostic imaging and disease monitoring
  • Pathologists for specialized tissue testing and IgG4 staining
  • Surgical specialists for biopsies and management of organ-specific complications

Depending on your needs, you may also receive care from:

Below, you’ll learn more about treatment for IgG4-related disease and our approach at Henry Ford Health.

Diagnosing IgG4-related disease

IgG4-related disease can be challenging to diagnose. Symptoms can look like other conditions, such as infections or cancer. Our team provides comprehensive testing for the most accurate results, which may include:

  • Clinical exam
    We may perform a physical exam and review your personal and family medical history.
  • Lab tests
    Blood tests can measure IgG4 levels and provide information about your organ function. Elevated IgG4 levels alone don’t mean you have the disease, so our specialists also perform other tests to confirm the diagnosis.
  • Imaging
    Our team uses CT scans, MRI and PET scans to identify affected organs and the extent of disease. Radiologists with specific expertise in recognizing the imaging patterns of IgG4-related disease review your image results.
  • Pathology
    When needed, our pathologists perform specialized IgG4 immunostaining and expert review. Accurately interpreting these tissue samples is essential to diagnosis. Our team has extensive experience evaluating samples from patients with suspected IgG4-related disease.
  • Multidisciplinary review
    We hold multidisciplinary meetings where multiple experts review findings together. This team of specialists is highly experienced in accurate IgG4-related disease diagnosis and optimal treatment planning.

Treatment for IgG4-related disease

Led by IgG4-related disease specialists, our clinic provides patients with the most advanced treatments for multi-organ autoimmune disease, including autoimmune pancreatitis. We base your treatment plan on which organs are affected, disease severity and other factors. Your care may include:

  • Corticosteroids
    These medications reduce inflammation and prevent organ damage. Our specialists may start with these medications and evaluate your progress. If they don’t provide positive results, we offer additional options based on your health needs.
  • Immunosuppressive medications
    These medications include biologics (medications that block certain parts of your immune system) and targeted therapies, which focus on specific parts of your immune system. These therapies can calm your immune response and help prevent organ damage. We carefully monitor you for side effects and treatment efficacy.
  • Clinical trials
    Our physicians participate in national and international research efforts focused on improving the diagnosis and treatment of IgG4-related disease. Eligible patients may have access to clinical trials and emerging therapies only available at a limited number of specialized centers.
  • Organ-specific care
    Depending on which organs are affected, you may receive additional treatments from our specialists. For example, you may see an ophthalmologist for eye problems, a pulmonologist for breathing issues and a rheumatologist for care coordination.

FAQs for IgG4-related disease

Common questions about IgG4-related disease include:

  • What is IgG4-related disease?
    IgG4-related disease is a rare chronic condition where your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues. Your body produces too many special proteins called IgG4 antibodies, which cause swelling, fibrosis (scarring) and damage in one or more of your organs. The disease isn’t contagious, and parents can’t pass it on to their children.
  • What are the symptoms of IgG4-related disease?
    Because IgG4-related disease can affect many organs, it can have many different symptoms. A lot of people first notice painless swelling in their salivary glands, lymph nodes or around the eyes. You might have stomach pain, yellowing skin, shortness of breath or fatigue. Some people also have kidney problems, weight loss, low-grade fevers or just feel unwell.
  • Why is it important to see a specialist for IgG4-related disease?
    IgG4-related disease is challenging to diagnose because it mimics many other conditions, like cancer. Specialists understand how to diagnose the condition and know which medications may work best for you. At Henry Ford Health, our experts also identify any organ damage early and coordinate your care across multiple specialties to cover all your needs
  • What makes Henry Ford Health a leader in IgG4-related disease?
    Since 2013, Henry Ford Health has served as a regional and national referral center for patients with suspected or confirmed IgG4-related disease. Our physicians contribute to clinical research, educational initiatives, and international collaborations focused on improving diagnosis and treatment of this rare condition. Patients travel from throughout Michigan and across the country to seek care from our multidisciplinary team.

Get More Information About IgG4-Related Disease Care

Speak with your primary care provider to obtain a referral before scheduling your appointment.

Schedule an Appointment
View All Blogs

Cookie Consent

We use cookies to improve your website experience. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use. Read our Internet Privacy Statement  to learn what information we collect and how we use it.

Accept All
Dismiss