What is Celiac Disease?
It is an autoimmune disease in which inappropriate immune response against gluten (a protein found in wheat) & related dietary proteins present in rye & barley. When such a susceptible person gets exposed to gluten, their body produces autoantibodies against constituents of intestinal villi (small tissue folds in intestine which allow absorption of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, fluids & electrolytes into the body). These villi when damaged leads to body becoming less capable of absorbing food & signs of malnutrition/malabsorption arise.
What is anti-endomysial IgA (EMA) lab test?
This laboratory test is used to look/detect endomysial antibodies (EMA) in blood which are produced if person is suffering from celiac disease i.e., they are produced during ongoing intestinal lining damage. Here, tTg autoantigen (Tissue transglutaminase) of anti-endomysial antibodies is detected and mostly IgA class of antibodies is measured. As they are very sensitive & specific marker for active celiac disease (100%) and dermatitis herpetiformis (in 70% cases). However, in celiac disease there is a common deficiency of IgA, so in these patient IgG (immunoglobulin G) anti-EMA will be assayed.
Why is anti-endomysial IgA lab test done?
This test is done:
- If you are suffering symptoms of celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis (chronic, intensely itchy, blistering skin manifestation of gluten-sensitive enteropathy); so, for its diagnosis this test is done
- In monitoring of adherence to gluten-free diet in celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis patients
- As this test is highly specific for celiac disease, therefore the need for multiple small intestine biopsies is avoided.
- Advantageous in diagnosis of pediatric population especially in evaluation of children who are unable to thrive
- What is meaning of positive endomysial antibody test?
It means that anti-EMA antibodies are found in blood and you have celiac disease
- Is fasting required for celiac panel blood test?
You should be on a normal, gluten containing diet and not fast before getting the test, so that doctor is able to properly diagnose celiac disease
- What happens in celiac attack?
It is characterized by damage to small intestine. Its symptoms include repeated belly pain/bloating, chronic diarrhea, constipation, excessive intestinal gas, weight loss, pale/foul smelling/fatty stool, & mouth ulcers.
- How much gluten should I eat before getting celiac blood test?
Recommended gluten intake is two slices of wheat-based bread per day for 6 to 8 weeks.
- In celiac disease, is IgA high or low?
There are only about 3% people with celiac disease and IgA deficiency both. So, if serum IgA tTG result comes negative and there is strong suspicion of disease, then serum total IgA levels are measured.
IgA endomysial antibody test comes positive in 70% to 80% of cases with celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis. And, in those patients who are not adhering (responding) to gluten-free diet.
INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS:
- Negative: No anti-EMA antibodies found, that means patient doesn’t have celiac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis or patient is strongly adhering to gluten-free diet
- Positive: IgA-endomysial antibodies (EMA) are found, patient has celiac disease/dermatitis herpetiformis. Its titer (concentration) in blood correlates with severity of gluten-sensitive enteropathy (disease of intestine).
You get tested to diagnose a condition called celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis, & evaluate effectiveness of gluten-free diet
