What is complement component C3 and C4?

Complement (C3/C4) are proteins that are part of the immune system. Measuring complement involved a simple blood test that measures the levels of C3 and C4 in the blood. Measuring complement levels is typically done in autoimmune diseases that affect the levels of complement.

What does C3 and C4 complement test for?

Complement tests, most commonly C3 and C4, are used to determine whether deficiencies or abnormalities in the complement system are causing, or contributing to, a person’s disease or condition. Total complement activity (CH50) may be ordered to look at the integrity of the entire classical complement pathway.

What does a low C3 and C4 mean?

If your C3 and C4 levels are reduced, this may be a sign that you have lupus. With lupus, your total complement level may be slightly lower. Low C3 and C4 levels may also be a sign of alcoholic liver disease.

What causes low C3 and C4 complement levels?

This is the result of an acquired disease. If your C3 and C4 levels are reduced, this may be a sign that you have lupus. Usually your total complement level is also slightly lower in this situation. Low C3 and C4 levels may also be a sign of alcoholic liver disease, but this is less common.

What is a normal complement C3 level?

The normal range is 88 to 201 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) (0.88 to 2.01 g/L). Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What is C3 complement blood test?

C3. Complement C3 is a blood test that measures the activity of a certain protein. This protein is part of the complement system. The complement system is a group of nearly 60 proteins that are in blood plasma or on the surface of some cells.

What causes elevated C3 and C4?

It seems that elevated C3 and C4 are likely to result of increased synthesis in the liver in response to cytokines e.g. IL-1β, IL-6 or tumor necrosis factor (TNF), which are increased in active CU and are known to control synthesis of the APR proteins [9].

Why is C3 low in lupus?

Lupus patients usually have low C3 and C4 levels during disease flares because of activation of the complement system by immune complexes (ICs) [1].

What is a complement C3 blood test?

Complement C3 is a blood test that measures the activity of a certain protein. This protein is part of the complement system. The complement system is a group of nearly 60 proteins that are in blood plasma or on the surface of some cells.

Why is my C3 complement low?

Decreased C3 may be associated with acute glomerulonephritis, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, immune complex disease, active systemic lupus erythematosus, septic shock, and end-stage liver disease.

What does it mean if your complement C4 is high?

Higher-than-normal complement C4 values may be a sign of cancer, ulcerative colitis, and inflammation in general. Lower-than-normal complement C4 values could indicate: bacterial infections.

What disease can cause a high complement level?

If your results show higher than normal amounts or increased activity of complement proteins, it may mean you have one of the following conditions: Certain types of cancer, such as leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Ulcerative colitis, a condition in which the lining of the large intestine and rectum become inflamed.

What does an elevated C3 complement mean?

Measurement of complement proteins can be used to monitor treatment results in patients with autoimmune diseases. Lupus erythematosus can cause a C3 level below normal, while rheumatoid arthritis may cause it to rise in the blood but fall in the joint fluid.

What is normal range for C3 and C4?

The normal value for C3 is 75 to 135 mg/dl. C4 is also a test for the measurement of the action and function of C4 in the blood. Its normal value is 12 to 72 mg/dL in males and 13 to 75 mg/dL in females.

What does a low C3 level mean?

Well, low C3 is expected to be low in a person suffering from active lupus or lupus nephritis (this you do not have as kidney function is normal). The same is true for C4. In a person suffering from autoimmune disease, the complement tests are done to check the response to treatment. Other causes of low C3 are bacterial infections, cirrhosis ,…

What is complement 3?

Complement component 3, often simply called C3, is a protein of the immune system. It plays a central role in the complement system and contributes to innate immunity.