Sample type: Serum

Test name: Complement C3 + C4

Special precautions & notes: C3 +/- C4 increased as part of acute phase response. Decreased in primary deficiencies or consumption. Immune complex diseases (e.g. SLE) consume C3 +/- C4 by classical pathway. Alternative pathway consumption (low C3, normal C4) is rarer e.g. Post streptococcal nephritis. C4 but not C3 falls in rheumatoid vasculitis

Reference range: C3: 0.75-1.81g/L C4 0.11-0.41g/L

Container: Serum (Gold top)

Ideal volume (mL): 2 mL

Referred outside NBT for analysis? No

Discipline: Immunology

Turnaround time: 4 working days