Newcastle Laboratories

C3 (Complement component 3), serum

Clinical Background:

Measurement of C3 is useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of SLE and immune complex disease. Persistently low C3 can indicate the presence of a C3 Nephritic Factor or other conditions of compleme...

Measurement of C3 is useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of SLE and immune complex disease. Persistently low C3 can indicate the presence of a C3 Nephritic Factor or other conditions of complement activation. Low levels of both C3 and C4 may indicate complement consumption such as in SLE or Sepsis. However, as they are acute phase proteins their levels may be normal in times of rapid consumption

Read More

Test Details

  • Discipline:

    Immunology

    Immunology

  • Specimen Container Adult:

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

  • Specimen Container Paediatric:

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

    Serum (SST or plain tube)

  • Minimum Volume Adult:

    1 mL blood

    1 mL blood

  • Minimum Volume Paediatric:

    0.5 mL blood

    0.5 mL blood

  • Sample Stability:

    Unseparated sample: 24 hours

    Separated sample: 7 days at 4oC

    Unseparated sample: 24 hours

    Separated sample: 7 days at 4oC

  • Add On Test:

    All urgent add ons via telephone on 0191 282 4766, and must be confirmed via email to the appropriate email address. tnu-tr.bloodsciencesadditions@nhs.net

    All urgent add ons via telephone on 0191 282 4766, and must be confirmed via email to the appropriate email address. tnu-tr.bloodsciencesadditions@nhs.net

  • Quality Assurance:

    INSTAND Complement Analysis, UKNEQAS C1 Inhibitor and Functional Complement

    INSTAND Complement Analysis, UKNEQAS C1 Inhibitor and Functional Complement

  • Reference Ranges:

    Paediatric: Approx. 2/3 adult level at birth, rising to adult level at about 1y.
    Adult: 0.68 - 1.80 g/L

    Paediatric: Approx. 2/3 adult level at birth, rising to adult level at about 1y.
    Adult: 0.68 - 1.80 g/L

  • Other Info:

    Lithium heparin plasma samples also acceptable

    Lithium heparin plasma samples also acceptable

  • Routine Contact Name:

    Proteins Lab

  • Routine Telephone:

    0191 282 4766

    0191 282 4766

  • Routine Email:

Availability:

24/7, analysed at RVI

Turn Around:

Within 2 full access days

Send To:

Department of Blood Sciences

Level 3
Leazes Wing
Royal Victoria Infirmary
Queen Victoria Road
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 4LP

View all tests