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22464 Complement, C-4

Complement, C-4
Test Code: C-4
Synonyms/Keywords
C 4 Complement, C4 protein​
Useful For
C3 and C4 levels are increased in acute inflammatory states and decreased in malnutrition and hemolytic anemia. Decreased levels of C4 may indicate DIC, acute glomerular nephritis, chronic hepatitis and SLE.​
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Serum​ Red Top Tube (RTT)​ Serum Separator Tube (SST)​ 0.5 mL serum​ 0.4 mL serum​ 0.3 mL serum​
Collection Processing Instructions

​Separate serum from cells within 2 hours of collection.

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
​ Serum​ ​
Refrigerate​ 7 days​
​Frozen 3 months
Rejection Criteria
Plasma samples
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield​ Monday through Friday​

6-8 hours

Analytic time may be extended if single frozen specimen is sent for multiple tests​

 Turbidimetric method/The Binding Site Optilite analyzer
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Marshfield​

14.0-40.0 mg/dL

Interpretation
Complement levels parallel the activity of circulating immune complex disease.  Decreased levels can indicate increased disease activity and normalized levels may indicate remission.  Falling levels may precede relapse.  Persistent low C-3 and C-4 levels may indicate complement deficiency, either congenital or acquired.​
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
86160​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
C 4 Complement, C4 protein​
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
Cerner​ ​Complement C4 (C4)
COM​ ​Complement, C-4
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​ Serum​ Red Top Tube (RTT)​ Serum Separator Tube (SST)​ 0.5 mL serum​ 0.4 mL serum​ 0.3 mL serum​
Collection Processing

​Separate serum from cells within 2 hours of collection.

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
​ Serum​ ​
Refrigerate​ 7 days​
​Frozen 3 months
Rejection Criteria
Plasma samples
Useful For
C3 and C4 levels are increased in acute inflammatory states and decreased in malnutrition and hemolytic anemia. Decreased levels of C4 may indicate DIC, acute glomerular nephritis, chronic hepatitis and SLE.​
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
Marshfield​

14.0-40.0 mg/dL

Interpretation
Complement levels parallel the activity of circulating immune complex disease.  Decreased levels can indicate increased disease activity and normalized levels may indicate remission.  Falling levels may precede relapse.  Persistent low C-3 and C-4 levels may indicate complement deficiency, either congenital or acquired.​
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Marshfield​ Monday through Friday​

6-8 hours

Analytic time may be extended if single frozen specimen is sent for multiple tests​

 Turbidimetric method/The Binding Site Optilite analyzer
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
86160​ ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.