Complement Testing

[lewis]

I had done testing done from an immunology and my complete complement levels were elevated. This is about the only thing have found that has been out of range besides low c3. Do any of you know of anything besides steroids that I could ask my doctor for to help decrease this?

[Katybug]

Elevated complement levels need further diagnostic investigation. It is often associated with autoimmune disease, so treatment would really be defined by what the ultimate diagnosis is. I have chronically elevated C4a. We can't come up with a clear diagnosis. I am doing a course of steroids now for it but truthfully it's a temporary fix. It is frustrating for me as well as my immunologist that we can't come up with other clear disease indicators to have more targeted treatment. But if you have more than just one complement elevated, that should help them narrow the disease down. From the research I've done, there are some pretty specific patterns with C3a and C4a in regards to lupus and the same with some other diseases.

[lewis]

My c3 was low. They only did individual c3 and c4. I know steroids would help but like you said it's a temporary fix. All my other inflammation and autoimmune markers are normal. I wonder if taking a drug prescribed for autoimmune conditions would be helpful?

[nunntrio]

My son has low c3 and has struggled with chronic hives. They have never been able to find the cause of either the low c3 or hives. They tested for lupus but it was negative. For a while the only thing that kept his symptoms in check were steriods. A few months ago they started him on xolair injections and it has helped a lot!! They have not retested the c3 but it is helping greatly with hives and overall well being. I believe you must have hives or chronic asthma for xolair approval though. I do not think just a low level c3 it iteself will qualify for xolair approval, but it maybe worth at least asking.

[lewis]

Talked to my immunologist, he said my complement findings were clinically insignificant because all my other inflammation tests were normal.

[Katybug]

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003539.htm

http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/8174

Lewis,

I keep track of my abnormal blood tests using a spreadsheet. Immune problems often don't show up in bloodwork all at one time but may leave clues over time. I know a lady who had all the symptoms of lupus for 15 years before her bloodwork showed that she had it. Luckily her docs sisn't wait for the bloodwork as her symptoms were severe. The links above give reasons why C3 might be low. I keep articles like this for reference and to use as a jumping off point for research.

Keep your chin up.

Katie