Specimen Requirements
Title
Complement C4
Specimen Requirement
Collect SST or red top. Allow serum to clot at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes, centrifuge, transfer 1.0 mL serum/plasma to a screw top transport tube, indicate sample type on tube and send. If collecting SST, send separated serum in the original collection tube.
Alternate Sample:
Green top lithium heparin or lavender EDTA
Methodology
Immunologic
Stability
Room temp: 3 days, Refrigerated: 3 days, Frozen: 14 days
Reference Range
By Report*
Turnaround
1-2 days
Clinical Use
Quantitation of C4 is used to detect individuals with inborn deficiency of the factor or those with immunological disease in whom hypercatabolism of complement causes reduced levels. These diseases include lupus erythematosus, serum sickness, certain glomerulonephritides, chronic active hepatitis, and others.
Test Code
C4S