A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z #

Complement, Total (CH50)

Test Code
CH50


Alias/See Also

LAB154



CPT Codes
<p>86162</p>

Preferred Specimen

Specimen Type: Serum

Collection Container/Type

Preferred: Serum gel

Acceptable: Red top

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic vial

Specimen Volume: 1 mL

Collection Instructions: 

  1. Centrifuge serum specimens within 1 hour of collection.
  2. Immediately pipette serum into ""sterile, plastic, screw-capped vial(s).
  3. Freeze solid"" at -20°C or lower. Do not allow samples to thaw. With multiple tests, submit a separate tube for each test. Send frozen samples on dry ice to the laboratory. Do not submit the sample in a glass tube.

Additional Information:

  • Avoid hemolysis
  • Do not allow samples to thaw.
  • With multiple tests, submit a separate tube for each test.
  • Send frozen samples on dry ice to the laboratory.
  • Do not submit the sample in a glass tube.


Minimum Volume

0.5 mL



Instructions
Avoid hemolysis. Centrifuge serum specimens within 1 hour of collection. Immediately pipette serum into "sterile, plastic, screw-capped vial(s) and freeze solid" at -20°C or lower. Do not allow samples to thaw. With multiple tests, submit a separate tube for each test. Send frozen samples on dry ice to the laboratory. Do not submit the sample in a glass tube.


Transport Container
Plastic screw-cap vial


Transport Temperature
Frozen


Specimen Stability

Room temperature: Unacceptable

Refrigerated: Unacceptable

Frozen:30 days



Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)

Gross hemolysis • Lipemia • Received thawed



Methodology

Method name



Setup Schedule
Set up: Mon-Sat a.m.; Report available: Next day


Report Available

Next day



Reference Range
31-60 U/mL


Clinical Significance
CH50 is a screening test for total complement activity. Levels of complement may be depressed in genetic deficiency, liver disease, chronic glomerulonephritis, rheumatoid arthritis, hemolytic anemias, graft rejection, systemic lupus erythematosis, acute glomerulonephritis, subacute bacterial endocarditis and cryoglobulinemia. Elevated complement may be found in acute inflammatory conditions, leukemia, Hodgkin's Disease, sarcoma, and Behcet's Disease.


Performing Laboratory
Quest Diagnostics Nichols Institute 14225 Newbrook Drive Chantilly, VA 20153


Last Updated: October 15, 2019


The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.