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Department of Immunology

Notes

  • Investigation into complement activation including immune complex disease.
  • Low C3 and C4 levels can be seen in active SLE.
  • Very low C3 in isolation can be seen in post streptococcal glomerulonephritis and C3 nephritic factor related disease.
  • Very low C4 in isolation can be associated with C1 inhibitor deficiency. If C4 is normal, C1 inhibitor deficiency is very unlikely.

Sample Requirements

Adult

5ml Gold-top SST tube or 3.5ml Rust-top gel tube (Trust users only)

5ml gold tube


Paediatric

1ml Serum Sample

1ml serum tube


Turnaround Times

24 - 48 hours

Reference Ranges


Analyte Range (g/L)
C3 0.90 - 1.80
C4 0.10 - 0.40