Complement Panel

COMP PF

Complement Panel

Performing Lab:

Saint Luke's Regional Laboratories and Referral Laboratory

Container Type:

Serum gel tube (for C3 and C4) and plain red top or serum gel tube (for CH50)

Specimen Type:

Serum

Preferred Volume:

4 mL for C3 and C4; 1 mL for CH50

Minimum Volume:

2 mL for C3 and C4; 0.5 mL for CH50

Collection Procedure:

For C3 and C4:
1. Allow the tube to clot for exactly 60 minutes.
2. Centrifuge immediately and divide the serum into 4 plastic vials,
each containing aliquots of approximately 0.75 mL.
3. Label the specimen appropriately (serum for C3 and C4).
4. Send the specimen frozen at ≤ -80° C within 4 hours of collection.

For CH50:
1. Allow the tube to clot at room temperature for 15 - 30 minutes.
2. Remove the serum after centrifugation and place in a plastic transport tube.
3. Label the specimen appropriately (serum for Complement, Total).

Store and Transport:

Frozen

Stability:

CH50 Stability:
Frozen - 14 days
Freeze/Thaw cycles: Stable x3

Unacceptable Condition:

1. Plasma is not acceptable.
2. Gross lipemia or hemolysis.

CPT Codes:

86160 - Complement C3 (EAP 30011600)
86160 - Complement C4 (EAP 30011640)
86162 - Complement Total (EAP 30011700)

Test Schedule:

Monday through Sunday for C3 and C4

Method:

CH50: Quantitative liposome lysis by spectrophotometry