| Test Name: | Complement Hemolytic Activity, Total (CH50) |
| Epic Order Code: | LAB154 |
| CPT Code: | 86162 |
| Specimen(s) Type: | Serum; 1.0 mL |
| Acceptable Container(s): |  Top is red. |
| Testing Schedule: | Monday-Friday |
| Turn Around Time: | STAT: NA | | |
| | Routine: 1-3 days |
| Collection Information: | No special patient preparation is required. Obtain specimen by standard collection procedures. |
| Transport Information: | Deliver to lab immediately. All specimens must be signed into the laboratory. |
| Reference Clients: | If unable to deliver to the lab immediately, centrifuge the specimen and remove serum from the red cells within 1 hour. Freeze serum immediately. Store and transport at
-20° C within 7 days. If longer storage is required, store and transport the sample at -70° C for up to 28 days. |
| Causes for Rejection: | Improperly labeled, incorrect container, contaminated, insufficient quantity, incorrect/delay in transport. |
| Reference Range: | 23 - 60 U/mL |
| Additional Information: | Low levels of total complement (total hemolytic complement: CH50) may occur during infections, disease exacerbation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, and in patients with immune complex diseases such as glomerulonephritis. |
| | Undetectable levels suggest the possibility of a complement component deficiency. Individual complement component assays are useful to identify the specific deficiency. |