SBMF Online Payment ▶

test directorySearch Results

Click here to search again.

Test Name:
Tissue Transglutaminase IgA Antibody, with Endomysial IgA Antibody IFA Titer if Indicated


  • SBMF No:
    28013
  • Performance Lab Name:
    Immunology
  • Test Mnemonic:
    EMA
  • ABN:
    Not required
  • CPT Code:
    83516
    If indicated, add 86256
  • LOINC Code:
    31017-7; 27038-9
  • Test Includes:
    tTG IgA Antibody screen
    If screen positive, Endomysial IgA Antibody titer
  • Also Known As:
    tTG IgA Antibody Screen with EMA Titer if Indicated
  • Also See:
    35198 Celiac Serology Profile
    28014 Tissue Transglutaminase IgA Antibody
    28221 Endomysial IgA Antibody Titer, by IFA
  • Spec Type:
    Serum
  • Spec Container:
    Gold top (SST) or red top (serum) tube
  • Pref Vol:
    1.0 mL
  • Min Vol:
    0.5 mL
  • Fasting:
    No
  • Spec Collect:
    Routine venipuncture
  • Spec Process:
    Clot 30 minutes
    Promptly centrifuge 15 minutes
    Immediately transfer serum to separate plastic tube
    Properly centrifuged gel barrier tube sample does not require transfer of serum to separate tube
  • Spec Store Transport:
    Refrigerated (48 hours) or frozen
  • Spec Stability:
    48 hours refrigerated (2-8°C)
    Greater than 48 hours, freeze (-20°C) – Do not use frost-free units that undergo repeated freeze/thaw cycles
  • Methodology:
    Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
    Indirect Fluorescent Antibody (IFA)
  • Use:
    Approximately 70% of patients with dermatitis herpetiformis and almost 100% of patients with active celiac disease will demonstrate endomysial IgA antibodies.
  • Clinical Significance:

    Celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis are two recognized forms of gluten sensitive enteropathy (GSE). A gluten-free diet controls GSE and associated risks. IgA endomysial antibodies (EMA) is one of the recommended serological serum tests shown to be useful in diagnosing these conditions.

    Selective IgA deficiency is increased tenfold in individuals with celiac disease, therefore, at least 3% of affected patients will test negative for this reason alone.

    Endomysial antibodies are screened using an ELISA tissue transgluaminase (tTG) assay. All samples which are positive are titered by IFA. The endomysial antigen has been identified as the protein cross-linking enzyme known as tissue transglutaminase.

  • Reference Range:

    Anti-tTG IgA EM: 0-7 U/mL
    Endomys. Titer: Not Indicated

    Interpretive Data

    Anti-tTG IgA EM
    Reference Range:
    < 7.0 U/mL
    7.0 - 10.0 U/mL
    > 10.0 U/mL    		 = Negative
    = Equivocal
    = Positive
  • Day Run:
    tTG ELISA: Wed, Sat
    EMA IFA: Mon, Wed
  • Time Run:
    8:00 am
  • Time Reported:
    5:00 pm
  • Test Type:
    IMMUNOLOGY

Home > Test Directory > Search Results

Test Directory