Endomysial antibody (EMA) IgA test
Quick answer: This blood test looks for IgA antibodies against endomysium, a tissue in the gut wall, which are linked to coeliac disease. Doctors usually order it to help diagnose coeliac disease, often alongside tissue transglutaminase antibodies.
- SampleBlood
- TakesAbout 5 minutes
- Before the testKeep eating your usual diet with gluten unless your doctor tells you otherwise, as avoiding gluten can make the result falsely negative.
How the test is done
- 1Keep eating your usual gluten-containing diet before the test
- 2A nurse draws blood from a vein in your arm
- 3The tube is sent to the immunology lab
- 4Your serum is checked on tissue slides under a fluorescence microscope
What your results can mean
Reading your report
Ranges and cut-offs differ between labs and methods, so discuss your result with your doctor.
If the result is outside the usual range
A positive result strongly suggests coeliac disease. A negative result can be falsely reassuring if you have low IgA levels or have already cut down on gluten.
Who usually has this test
People with long-term diarrhoea, bloating, iron deficiency, weight loss, or a family history of coeliac disease.
Risks and aftercare
A small bruise is possible; keep to your usual diet until your doctor advises otherwise.
Names and options
Also called: EMA, anti-endomysial antibody, coeliac antibody
Listed by the hospital as
- ENDOMYSIAL ANTIBODY IGA, SERUM
Questions about this test
Should I stop eating gluten before a coeliac blood test?
No. Going gluten-free before testing can make the result falsely negative. Keep eating gluten, such as wheat chapati or bread, until your doctor has finished testing.
Why might my doctor also check total IgA?
EMA is an IgA test, so people with low IgA can test negative even if they have coeliac disease. A total IgA level helps avoid this.
Is coeliac disease linked to infertility?
Untreated coeliac disease has been linked to unexplained infertility and miscarriage in some women. Some fertility doctors test for it when other causes are not found.
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
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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.