Acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody test
Quick answer: This test checks your blood for antibodies that attack acetylcholine receptors, where nerves signal muscles. Doctors order it when they suspect myasthenia gravis, which causes muscle weakness that worsens with use, such as drooping eyelids or double vision.
- SampleBlood
- TakesAbout 5 minutes
- Before the testNo special preparation is usually needed.
How the test is done
- 1Your doctor asks about muscle weakness, drooping eyelids or double vision
- 2Blood is drawn from a vein in your arm
- 3The sample is sent for antibody testing
- 4Your doctor reviews the result with your symptoms and any nerve tests
What your results can mean
Reading your report
A positive result supports the diagnosis but is read with your symptoms, so discuss it with your doctor.
If the result is outside the usual range
A positive result can be seen with myasthenia gravis and supports the diagnosis. A negative result does not rule it out, as some people have other antibodies or none detected.
Who usually has this test
People with muscle weakness that gets worse with use, such as drooping eyelids, double vision or trouble swallowing.
Risks and aftercare
Bruising at the needle site is the only usual side effect.
Names and options
Also called: AChR antibody, myasthenia gravis antibody test
Listed by the hospital as
- ACETYL CHOLINE RECEPTOR ANTIBODIES
Questions about this test
Can I have myasthenia gravis with a negative AChR antibody test?
Yes. Some people, especially with eye-only symptoms, do not have detectable AChR antibodies. Doctors may test for other antibodies or use nerve and muscle tests.
Does the antibody level show how severe myasthenia is?
Not reliably. The level does not always match how weak you feel, so doctors go mainly by your symptoms and examination.
Why might a thymus scan follow a positive result?
Myasthenia gravis is linked with changes in the thymus gland in the chest. A positive result often leads to a chest scan to check it.
Related tests
Tamara Hospital & IVF Centre, Rajajinagar
34/3, 10th Cross Road, opp. Vardhaka Sardar Patel School, 1st N Block, 2nd Stage, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru 560010
The hospital is open 24 hours. Call before you come to check the timing for your scan or sample collection.
Get directions ↗IVF Pulse fertility care at Tamara Hospital →
Reception
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This page explains each test in general terms so you know what to expect. It is not medical advice: your doctor decides which tests you need and what your results mean. Reference ranges differ between laboratories. Updated 4 November 2026.