Calcium Channel Antibodies

Also known as: LEMS; Voltage gated Ca²⁺ Antibodies

Due to stability of the assay, this test can only be performed on samples requested electronically from within the UK.

Please see:

Changes to access of the Voltage gated calcium channel antibody assay (pdf)

The assay is positive in approximately 85% of patients with the Lambert Eaton myasthenic syndrome (with or without small cell lung carcinoma SCLC) and in about 30% of Cerebellar ataxia with SCLC.

Calcium channel antibodies are rarely found in patients without myasthenic symptoms, except at low titre in a few cases with small cell lung cancer.

This is because small cell lung cancers express this voltage gated calcium channel.

Specimen requirements

Serum 1ml; plasma is acceptable but CSF not required.

Cost

64.44 GBP (UK / NHS / International)

Laboratory turnaround time

21 days

Laboratory method

Radioimmunoassay (RIA)

Reference range/units

Serum

0-44pM = Negative
Between >=45pm and <=105pM = Equivocal
>106pM = Positive

CSF

0-10pM = Negative

Associated tests

Not applicable

Sample stability

21 days at 2-8ºC

Shipping and storage

UK and Ireland

Ambient temperature and first class post. Hays DX users please enquire via email below.

International

Ambient temperature if courier will deliver within 72 hours otherwise consider refrigerated transport. Freezing is not a requirement.

Ensure delivery Monday to Friday 09:00 - 17:30.

Further information and contact details

For further information, email immunologylab.enquiries@ouh.nhs.uk