Pathology

Test & Collection Guide

Pathology staff view

PLEASE NOTE: Recent changes have been made to this Test

Recent changes for Voltage Gated Potassium Channel Antibodies

Recent changes for Voltage Gated Potassium Channel Antibodies
Date	Field	Changed From	Changed To
17th November 2025	External Laboratory	St Vincents Hospital	Mitochondrial and Autoimmune Neurological Disorders Laboratory

Voltage Gated Potassium Channel Antibodies

Ordering information:

PLEASE NOTE : This test is not covered by a Medicare rebate - a $210 fee will be sent to the patient involved.

A SVH Pathology form (link below) must also be filled out and sent to the laboratory.

When an NMDA or VGKC antibody test is requested, an email must be sent to the laboratory giving the clinical indication for the test and the urgency (ie for immediate transport or can be batched), as well as contact details for the person requesting the test in case further communication is required. If no email is received, the test will not be sent. For requests outside of neurology, it is expected that the patient will have been reviewed by neurology, or at the very least discussed with neurology, to determine the appropriateness of sending the test. As previously established, NMDA antibody testing will only be done on CSF unless there is a valid reason why a lumbar puncture cannot be performed.

The email should be directed to:

rebecca.amoore@easternhealth.org.au

and

ailie.connell@easternhealth.org.au

SVH request form

https://www.svhm.org.au/ArticleDocuments/1798/Autoimmune-Encephalitis-Testing-Requisition-form-V5-2017.pdf.aspx?embed=y

Alternate names:

Anti VGKC, Potassium Channel Antibodies, VGKC, Voltage gated K+

Laboratory:

Referred Test

Test Code:

VGKC

Specimen types:

Serum

Container types:

Serum tube with gel

Collection Instructions:

Transport specimen at Room Temperature to lab

Minimum Adult Volume:

1 mL

Frequency:

Fortnightly

Result Turnaround Time:

2-3 weeks

Laboratory Use Only

Accessing Results

EMR: Pathology results are available via EMR.

Auscare: If EMR is unavailable, results can be accessed through Auscare. Don’t have an Auscare login? Complete the Auscare User Form.

Forms & Collection Guides

Consent Form – Non-Medicare Tests
For tests not covered by Medicare. Download Form

Pathology Request Form
Printable referral form for submitting pathology requests. Download Form.

Microbiology Swab Collection Guide
Step-by-step instructions for correct swab collection. Download Guide.

Preferred Order of Draw
Instructions to ensure accurate blood collection and results. View Instructions

Feedback

Eastern Health Pathology values your feedback as an important way to improve our services. Share concerns, suggestions, or compliments via the Eastern Health Feedb ack Service.

Test & Collection Guide

PLEASE NOTE: Recent changes have been made to this Test

Recent changes for Voltage Gated Potassium Channel Antibodies

Date

Field

Changed From

Changed To

External Laboratory