Complement Component C3c

The Complement Component C3c test contains 1 test with 1 biomarker.

Brief Description: The Complement Component C3c test measures the level of C3c, a key component of the complement system, in the blood. The complement system is a group of proteins that play a vital role in the body's immune response and inflammation.

Also Known As: C3 Test, Complement C3 Test, Complement Test

Collection Method: Blood Draw

Specimen Type: Serum

Test Preparation: Overnight fasting is preferred

When is a Complement Component C3c test ordered?

When a person exhibits inexplicable edema, inflammation, or indications of an autoimmune condition like SLE, complement testing may be mandated. It may also be requested when a medical professional wants to assess the complement system of a patient who they suspect may have an immune complex-related disease.

When the total complement activity is abnormal, individual complement components may be ordered to help identify which ones are lacking or defective. The most usually prescribed levels are C3 and C4, however when additional shortages are detected, other levels, such C1 inhibitor, may also be required. Because the relative levels are frequently significant, C3 and C4 are frequently ordered together.

Complement testing may be used to provide a general assessment of the severity of an acute or chronic ailment after a diagnosis, with the underlying supposition that the severity is related to the decline in complement levels. When a doctor wishes to track the progression of a problem, they could occasionally order complement testing.

What does a Complement Component C3c blood test check for?

More than 30 circulating blood proteins make up the intricate complement system, which functions to support inflammatory and immunological responses. Its main function is to eliminate invading infections like viruses and bacteria. When the body produces antibodies against its own tissues that it misinterprets as foreign, the complement system can also be activated. The amount or activity of complement proteins in the blood is measured by complement assays.

A component of the body's innate immune system is the complement system. The innate immune system is non-specific and rapid to react to external molecules, in contrast to the acquired immune system, which generates antibodies that target and defend against specific threats. It does not require prior exposure to an invasive drug or bacterium and does not keep track of prior interactions.

The primary complement proteins are numbered C1 through C9. There are nine of them. Together with the remaining proteins, these elements form complexes that react to infections, non-self tissues, dead cells, and inflammation by activating, amplifying, breaking apart, and generating cascades.

There are numerous strategies to start complement activation. These are known as lectin, alternative, or classical routes. However, the development of the membrane attack complex is the common result of all activation mechanisms. Several things happen as a result of complement activation:

• Each pathogen or aberrant cell that has been selected for eradication adheres to the surface thanks to the MAC. It produces lysis, or the demise of the cell by letting the contents out, much like puncturing a water-filled balloon, by creating a lesion in the membrane wall.
• It makes blood arteries more permeable, enabling white blood cells to go from the bloodstream and into the tissues to fight infections.
• WBCs are drawn to the infection site by it.
• It promotes the killing of germs by macrophages and neutrophils during phagocytosis, a process.
• It makes immune complexes more soluble and aids in their removal from the circulation.

The amount or activity of complement proteins in the blood is measured by complement assays. To ascertain whether the system is operating normally, complement components might be examined individually or collectively. The two complement proteins that are most routinely tested are C3 and C4. If a medical professional suspects a shortfall that cannot be detected by C3 or C4, total complement activity can be assessed. The function of the entire C1–C9 classical complement pathway is evaluated by CH50. Each of the nine complement levels can be measured separately to check for inherited or acquired deficits if this reading is outside the usual range.

Lab tests often ordered with a Complement Component C3c test:

When a C3c test is ordered, it's typically part of a broader evaluation of immune function and autoimmune disorders. Here are some tests commonly ordered alongside it:

1. Complement Component C4:

   • Purpose: To measure the level of C4, another key protein in the complement system.
   • Why Is It Ordered: Similar to C3c, abnormalities in C4 can indicate complement activation and consumption in autoimmune diseases.

2. Complement Total (CH50):

   • Purpose: To assess the overall functionality of the classical complement pathway.
   • Why Is It Ordered: To provide a broader view of the complement system's integrity and function.

3. Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA) Test:

   • Purpose: To screen for antibodies often present in autoimmune disorders.
   • Why Is It Ordered: To indicate the presence of an autoimmune process, especially in diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

4. Anti-dsDNA (Double-Stranded DNA) Antibodies:

   • Purpose: To detect specific antibodies against double-stranded DNA.
   • Why Is It Ordered: These antibodies are highly specific for SLE and can correlate with disease activity.

5. Rheumatoid Factor (RF) and Anti-CCP (Cyclic Citrullinated Peptide) Antibodies:

   • Purpose: To test for markers associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
   • Why Is It Ordered: To differentiate between various autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

6. Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP):

   • Purpose: To measure markers of inflammation in the body.
   • Why Is It Ordered: To assess the level of inflammation, which can be elevated in autoimmune diseases.

7. Kidney Function Test and Urinalysis:

   • Purpose: To evaluate kidney function and detect abnormalities in the urine.
   • Why Is It Ordered: Kidney involvement is common in autoimmune diseases, particularly lupus, and can be monitored through these tests.

These tests, when ordered alongside a Complement Component C3c test, provide a comprehensive assessment of immune function and are crucial for diagnosing and managing autoimmune conditions. They help in identifying the underlying cause of complement abnormalities and in monitoring disease activity and organ involvement. The specific combination of tests will depend on the individual’s symptoms, medical history, and preliminary test results.

Conditions where a Complement Component C3c test is recommended:

• Autoimmune Diseases: Conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and certain kidney disorders can cause abnormal complement activation, leading to low C3c levels.
• Kidney Disorders: Kidney diseases like glomerulonephritis can lead to complement activation and changes in C3c levels.
• Infections: Certain bacterial infections can trigger complement activation, affecting C3c levels.

How does my health care provider use a Complement Component C3c test?

To ascertain whether shortages or anomalies in the complement system are the root cause of, or contribute to, a person's sickness or condition, complement assays, most frequently C3 and C4, are utilized.

What do my Complement Component C3c test results mean?

Increased consumption or, less frequently, a congenital deficit, can cause complement levels to drop. A high incidence of recurrent microbial infections is typically caused by a hereditary defect in one of the complement proteins. Reduced complement levels are linked to a higher risk of autoimmune disease development. While C3 alone is often low in septicemia and diseases brought on by fungus or parasites, like malaria, C3 and C4 levels are typically both decreased in SLE.

Complement levels will typically return to normal if the underlying acute or chronic ailment can be treated if the deficiency is brought on by one of these.

Complement activity may be reduced with:

• Hepatitis
• Cirrhosis
• Malnutrition
• Septicemia
• Kidney Disease
• Lupus
• Angioedema
• Rheumatoid Arthritis

During acute or chronic inflammation, complement protein levels typically rise together with those of other unrelated proteins known as acute phase reactants. When the underlying illness is treated, all of these often return to normal. Comparatively to the frequently ordered C-reactive protein, complement proteins are less frequently measured in these circumstances, hence the value of their measurement in these circumstances is not discussed here.

Increased complement activity include can be seen with:

• Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Thyroiditis
• Sarcoidosis
• Cancer
• Ulcerative Colitis
• Acute Myocardial Infarction

Most Common Questions About the Complement Component C3c test:

Understanding the Complement Component C3c Test

What is the purpose of the Complement Component C3c test?

The Complement Component C3c test measures the levels of C3c, a fragment of complement component C3, in the blood. It's used to evaluate and monitor diseases that affect the complement system, such as immune complex diseases, lupus, and glomerulonephritis.

What diseases can be diagnosed using the Complement Component C3c test?

This test is used in the diagnosis of diseases where the complement system is involved, including certain types of kidney diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and other immune disorders.

Interpretation of Complement Component C3c Test Results

What do elevated levels of C3c indicate in the Complement Component C3c test?

Elevated levels of C3c may suggest acute or chronic inflammatory conditions. It could be associated with infections, malignancies, or inflammatory disorders.

What do decreased levels of C3c indicate in the Complement Component C3c test?

Decreased levels of C3c may indicate a deficiency or consumption of complement due to conditions such as SLE, infections, or hereditary complement deficiency.

How do clinicians correlate the Complement Component C3c test results with clinical findings?

Clinicians interpret the Complement Component C3c test results in conjunction with patient symptoms, medical history, and other laboratory findings. The context helps to identify specific underlying conditions.

Clinical Applications of the Complement Component C3c Test

How does the Complement Component C3c test guide the treatment of diseases like SLE?

The Complement Component C3c test helps in assessing disease activity and may guide therapeutic decisions in diseases like SLE. Monitoring C3c levels might help in evaluating treatment response.

How frequently is the Complement Component C3c test used in chronic disease management?

Frequency varies based on clinical needs and underlying conditions. It may be used periodically in chronic disease management to assess disease activity and treatment effectiveness.

Limitations and Specificities of the Complement Component C3c Test

What are the limitations of the Complement Component C3c test in diagnosing and monitoring diseases?

The Complement Component C3c test may have limitations in specificity and sensitivity. Other complement tests and clinical evaluation are often needed to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.

Can other factors affect the results of the Complement Component C3c test, such as other illnesses or medications?

Yes, other illnesses, medications, and even technical factors can influence the results. Interpretation must be done considering all potential influencing factors.

What alternative tests or methods might be used in conjunction with or instead of the Complement Component C3c test?

Other complement tests, including C3, C4, and specific complement pathway assessments, might be used along with or instead of the C3c test, depending on the clinical scenario.

We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.