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
Test Details
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Discipline:
Immunology
Immunology
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Specimen Container Adult:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Serum (SST or plain tube)
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Specimen Container Paediatric:
Serum (SST or plain tube)
Serum (SST or plain tube)
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Minimum Volume Adult:
1 mL blood
1 mL blood
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Minimum Volume Paediatric:
0.5 mL blood
0.5 mL blood
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Sample Stability:
Unseparated sample: 24 hours
Separated sample: 7 days at 4oC
Unseparated sample: 24 hours
Separated sample: 7 days at 4oC
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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
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Quality Assurance:
INSTAND Complement Analysis, UKNEQAS C1 Inhibitor and Functional Complement
INSTAND Complement Analysis, UKNEQAS C1 Inhibitor and Functional Complement
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Reference Ranges:
Paediatric: Approx. 2/3 adult level at birth, rising to adult level at about 1y.
Adult: 0.68 - 1.80 g/LPaediatric: 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
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Routine Contact Name:
Proteins Lab
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Routine Telephone:
0191 282 4766
0191 282 4766
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Routine Email: