Test Overview
Immunoturbidimetric
C4 is decreased when classical pathway of complement is hyperactivated. It is usually decreased in hypergammaglobulinemia, cryoglobulinemia, inborn C4 deficiency, active SLE, serum sickness, SBE, chronic active hepatitis, acute glomerulonephritis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as in hereditary angioneurotic edema.
Adult: 13-60 mg/dl
* Reference ranges may change over time. Please refer to the original patient report when evaluating results.
Test Details
2 hours
- C4
- B1E
- C4
- Complement C4
- Fourth Component of Complement
- C4 COMPLEMENT
Specimen Requirements
Collect specimen in an SST tube. Centrifuge, aliquot serum into a plastic vial and refrigerate up to 48 hours.
Additional Information
C4 comprises approximately 20% of the complement system. C4 is utilized only by the classical pathway, so that it is decreased only when this arm is hyperactivated. In diseases activating the alternate pathway alone, C4 levels will be normal. Total hemolytic activity (CH50), C3, and C4 are frequently decreased in a variety of conditions relating to immune complex formation. While many complement components are depressed with uremia, C4 is an exception and is elevated with uremia.