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Alternative names Return to top
C3Definition Return to top
This is a blood test that measures one component of the complement cascade. Complement is a group of blood proteins that cause immune responses andHow the test is performed Return to top
Blood is drawn from a vein, usually on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand. The puncture site is cleaned with antiseptic, and an elastic band is placed around the upper arm to apply pressure and restrict blood flow through the vein. This causes veins below the band to fill with blood.
A needle is inserted into the vein, and the blood is collected in an air-tight vial or a syringe. During the procedure, the band is removed to restore circulation. Once the blood has been collected, the needle is removed, and the puncture site is covered to stop any bleeding.
For an infant or young child:
The area is cleansed with antiseptic and punctured with a sharp needle or a lancet. The blood may be collected in a pipette (small glass tube), on a slide, onto a test strip, or into a small container. Cotton or a bandage may be applied to the puncture site if there is any continued bleeding.
How to prepare for the test Return to top
There are no special preparations.How the test will feel Return to top
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain, while others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing.Why the test is performed Return to top
Complement activity (CH50, CH100, terminal complement component, or individual complement proteins) is measured to determine if complement is involved in the development of a number of diseases. Complement activity is also measured to monitor how severe a disease is or to determine if treatment is working. For example, patients with active lupus erythematosus may have low levels of C3 and C4, and these component levels may be watched as an indicator of disease activity.Normal Values Return to top
The normal range is 75-135 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter).What abnormal results mean Return to top
Increased complement activity may be seen in:What the risks are Return to top
Special considerations Return to top
The complement cascade can be started in several ways, especially by antigen-antibody complexes. The end-product of the cascade is the "membrane attack unit" (also called terminal complement component), which creates holes in the membranes of attacking bacteria, thereby killing them.
CH50 and CH100 are tests for the activity of the complement system. There are also a number of side products of the complement cascade that attract white blood cells and increase the efficiency of certain types of white blood cells to engulf and destroy bacteria.
Some bacteria don't need specific antibodies to be present for the complement system to be activated. C3, one of the major components of the complement cascade, attaches to and kills these bacteria directly.
Typically, other tests that are more specific for the suspected disease are performed first.
Update Date: 8/2/2003 Updated by: Lisa Christopher, M.D., Division of Rheumatology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |