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Department

Referred Work
C3D

Preferred Sample Type

C3d LEVELS, C3 BREAKDOWN PRODUCT

Suitable Specimen Types

  • EDTA Plasma
2 mL

Specimen Transport

1st class post overnight to referral laboratory ( frozen sample) transport on dry ice not required

Sample Processing in Laboratory

Separate within 7 hours of venepuncture and freeze

Turnaround Time

4 weeks

Sample Stability

Seperate within 7 hours of venepuncture and freeze prior to overnight transport to referral laboratory

C3d LEVELS, C3 BREAKDOWN PRODUCT

General Information

C3d is a useful marker of complement consumption as it is not affected by the acute phase response, unlike C3 which may remain within the normal range despite significant consumption. This test may be clinical useful to determine whether low complement levels indicate active consumption or deficiency. Determining complement consumption can also be used to monitor disease activity in conditions such as SLE Rhematoid arthritis

Notes

Serum samples may give falsely elevated levels of C3d, EDTA plasma must be used.

Reference Range

Normal values <5 mg/L.

Source of Reference Range

Reference range established in house.at referral laboratory

Specifications

  • EQA Scheme?: No
  • EQA Status: No EQA scheme currently available.