Complement 3 Test

Complement-3 or the C3 blood test monitors the activity of a certain protein of our immune system. It is a part of the complement system which is constituted by a group of freely moving proteins in the bloodstream. Altogether there are nine such proteins identified and they are named in the order C1 to C9. The complement system guards our body against infections, dead cells and foreign materials. In rare cases, people may inherit deficiency of some complement proteins. Such people are prone to autoimmune disorders or certain infections. The c3 protein plays a pivotal role in the development of inflammation.

C3 test helps to identify disorders of the complement system. Some of them are: Neutrophil dysfunction (abscesses) Humoral deficiencies (Sino pulmonary disease) Complement deficiencies such as sepsis, meningitis The reference range of C3 levels vary by sex. Normally in Males it is between 88-252 mg/dL And 88-206 mg/dL in females. Lower complement levels are sometimes indicators of conditions like increased bacterial infections, cirrhosis, hepatitis, kidney disease, rheumatoid arthritis, septicemia and malnutrition. Increased complement levels can be precursors of acute or chronic inflammation or conditions like cancer, ulcerative colitis or thyroiditis.

The site is washed using antiseptic. The phlebotomist wraps an elastic band around the upper arm and pressure is applied to swell the vein with blood. Then needle is inserted into the target vein. The blood is then collected in a tube attached to the needle. The elastic band is then released. The needle is removed once enough blood has been collected. The site is sealed using adhesive bandage if there is any bleeding A sharp tool called a lancet might be used in infants or young children to puncture the skin and make it bleed.

Rs350- Rs1000