Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel (VGKC) Antibody
Quest Diagnostics
Sample type: Serum
Requires fasting: No
Phlebotomy required
Details
Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel (VGKC) Antibody - Used to help evaluate certain autoimmune or paraneoplastic neurological disorders, such as limbic encephalitis (LE).
- Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel (VGKC) Antibody
Estimated days for results: Results should be available within 2 - 5 business days after samples are received at the lab.
Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel (VGKC) Antibody - Limbic encephalitis (LE) is a paraneoplastic neurological syndrome often associated with small cell lung carcinoma and more rarely with testicular, breast, and other tumors. Clinical hallmarks of paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis are changing mental status, short-term memory impairment, seizures, confusion, and behavioral changes. Hu antibody-negative LE patients usually do not develop symptoms beyond the limbic system and appear to improve more often after treatment of the cancer than those who have Hu antibodies, suggesting that the pathogenesis of the LE in both groups could be different. Recent studies have detected antibodies to voltage-gated potassium channels (VGKC) in patients with LE, with and without associated tumors. Neurological symptoms were found to improve with a reduction of VGKC antibody levels.
2–5 business days
Blood Draw Options with Fullscript
Fullscript offers several convenient phlebotomy options to complete your lab testing:
Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Centers (PSC)
- Location: Visit a nearby Quest Diagnostics Patient Service Center.
- Cost: $10 sample collection fee (paid during lab order checkout).
- Scheduling: Schedule your appointment here. Appointments are recommended to reduce wait times. Walk-ins are accepted, but may experience delays. Aim to arrive 10 minutes before your appointment.
- Collection Instructions:
- Bring a valid ID.
- Bring your digital or printed requisition form, available in the Labs tab of your Fullscript account.
- Check-in: Scan the QR code from your confirmation email or follow kiosk instructions.
- More Info: Quest Diagnostics blood draw guide
Getlabs Mobile Phlebotomy
- Location: Sample collection at your home or office.
- Cost: $85 sample collection fee (paid during lab order checkout).
- Availability: Available in most locations – enter your ZIP code during checkout to confirm.
- Scheduling: Schedule your appointment here through your Fullscript account.
- Collection Instructions:
- Have your digital or printed requisition form and valid ID ready.
- Your phlebotomist will contact you by phone to coordinate arrival.
- More Info: Getlabs blood draw guide
- Preferred Specimen(s): 1 mL serum
- Alternative: NA
- Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL
- Collection Instructions: NA
- Transport Container: Transport tube
- Transport Temperature: Frozen
- Specimen Stability:
- Room temperature: 48 hours
- Refrigerated: 48 hours
- Frozen: 73 days
- Reject Criteria: NA
State restrictions:
Patient can't order this test if they are located in Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Rhode Island, New Jersey, or New York
