C3 Complement Component
Label Mnemonic: C3
Epic code: LAB152
Downtime form: A-1a Doctor/Provider Orders - Pathology Core and Specialty Care Nursery
Chemistry
6240 RCP
356-3527
Specimen(s):
Plasma
Collection Medium:
Plasma Separator Tube 4.5 mL
Alternate Collection Media:
Call laboratory for additional acceptable specimen collection containers.
Minimum:
3 mL whole blood from light green top tube or 1 Microtainer®
Testing Schedule:
24 hrs/day, 7 days a week, including holidays.
Turn Around Time:
1 hour (upon receipt in laboratory)
Reference Range:
90-180 mg/dL
Comments:
Measures concentration by specific antibody. If cryoglobulin present or suspected, collect specimen as directed for 'Cryoglobulin, Serum'.
Test Limitations:
Criterion: Recovery within plus or minus 10% of initial value.

Icterus: No significant interference up to an I index of 60 
(approximate conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin concentration: 60 
mg/dL or 1026 μmol/l).

Hemolysis: No significant interference up to an H index of 1000 
(approximate hemoglobin concentration: 1000 mg/dL or 621 umol/l)

Lipemia (Intralipid): No significant interference up to an L index of 
2000 (approximate triglycerides concentration: 4000 mg/dL). There is 
poor correlation between turbidity and triglycerides concentration.

Rheumatoid factors up to 1200 IU/mL do not interfere.

No high-dose hook effect is seen up to a C3c concentration of 1250 
mg/dL.

Monoclonal gammopathy sera of the IgA or IgM type can interfere with 
the C3c determination.
Methodology:
Immunoturbidimetric
CPT Code:
86160