Diagnosis of C6 deficiency Investigation of a patient with an undetectable total complement (CH50) level
Specimen Type
Blood
Container
Red Top Tube
Collection Instructions
Container/Tube: Red Top Tube Specimen: 1 mL serum ( 0.5 mL min) Transport Temperature: Frozen Stability: 14 Days Frozen Patient Preparation: Fasting preferred but not required Ordering Guidance: The total complement (CH50) assay (COM / Complement, Total, Serum) should be used as a screen for suspected complement deficiencies before ordering individual complement component assays. A deficiency of an individual component of the complement cascade will result in an undetectable total complement level Collection Instructions: 1. Immediately after specimen collection, place the tube on wet ice. 2. Centrifuge and separate serum from clot. 3. Immediately freeze specimen.
Transport Instructions
Frozen
Specimen Stability
14 Days Frozen Patient Preparation: Fasting preferred but not required Ordering Guidance: The total complement (CH50) assay (COM / Complement, Total, Serum) should be used as a screen for suspected complement deficiencies before ordering individual comple
Methodology
Automated Liposome Lysis Assay
Days Performed
Monday through Saturday; Continuous with a 3 p.m. cutoff
