Test Name: CH50
Formal Name: Complement CH50
Other Names: Total Complement Activity, CH50
Low: Deficiency in one or more components (C1-C9). Normal: Sufficient complement function.
Why Test: To evaluate the overall activity of the classical complement pathway.
When to Test: Suspected complement deficiency or autoimmune disease (SLE).
Test Principle: Hemolytic Assay (using sensitized red blood cells).
Q1: What causes a low result? A1: Inherited genetic deficiencies or consumption by autoimmune diseases like Lupus. Q2: Is this better than C3/C4? A1: It is a good screen, but if low, you need to measure individual components to find the specific defici
