Description
Why It’s Done
Doctors may order the Endomysial Antibody-IgA (EIA) Test to:
• Diagnose celiac disease, particularly in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, bloating, weight loss, or abdominal pain. It’s also helpful for those with unexplained fatigue or skin rashes (like dermatitis herpetiformis).
• Confirm a diagnosis of celiac disease if other tests (e.g., tissue transglutaminase IgA (tTG)) are inconclusive.
• Monitor patients on a gluten-free diet: In people diagnosed with celiac disease, the test can be used to assess adherence to a gluten-free diet, as endomysial antibody levels should decrease with proper diet management.
• Screen at-risk individuals, particularly those with a family history of celiac disease or related autoimmune disorders.
Preparation
• No special preparation is required for this test.
• Inform your doctor about any medications you are taking, especially if you are on a gluten-free diet or medications like immunosuppressants, which may impact the test results.
• A blood sample will be collected from a vein in your arm for this test.


