Pathology tests database

Sample and container requirements

Serum

Minimum volume required

4 ml Blood

Special requirements

Transport fresh or freeze within <7hrs

Patient preparation

Sent Frozen to referral laboratory

Sample viability

Store frozen at -20oC prior to sending to referral lab

Turnaround time

up to 20 days

Reference range

50-250 mg/L

Clinical guidance

C1q is the initiating molecule for the classical activation pathway of complement. Deficiencies or defects in the molecule lead to a reduced or absent CH50 value. Familial deficiency is rare but reduced levels may be associated with SLE, recurrent bacterial infections and with glomerulonephritis. C1q levels are usually only measured in cases where CH50 is absent or the patient has increased susceptability to infection. The exception to this is in the identification of the consumptive defect in acquired angioedema, where levels are almost always low https://labtestsonline.org.uk/tests/complement

Notes

specimen referred to Sheffield