Complement, Total (CH50)

Test Code

618

CPT Codes
86162

Preferred Specimen

1 mL frozen serum

Minimum Volume

0.5 mL

Instructions

Draw sample without anticoagulant, allow to clot. Separate serum into a plastic tube and freeze sample within one hour of time drawn. With multiple tests, submit a separate tube for each test. Avoid hemolysis. Do not submit the sample in a glass tube.

Transport Temperature

Frozen

Specimen Stability

Room temperature: Unacceptable
Refrigerated: Unacceptable
Frozen: 30 days

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

Gross hemolysis • Lipemic • Received thawed

Methodology
Liposome

Setup Schedule

5 days a week

Report Available

3-4 days

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.

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.