Test ID: C1Q
Complement C1q, Serum
Secondary ID
A test code used for billing and in test definitions created prior to November 2011
NY State Approved
Indicates the status of NY State approval and if the test is orderable for NY State clients.
Useful For
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Assessment of an undetectable total complement (CH[50]) level
Diagnosing congenital C1 deficiency
Diagnosing acquired deficiency of C1 inhibitor
Method Name
A short description of the method used to perform the test
Nephelometry
Reporting Name
A shorter/abbreviated version of the Published Name for a test; an abbreviated test name
Aliases
Lists additional common names for a test, as an aid in searching
Complement Component C1q
First Component of Complement
Specimen Type
Describes the specimen type needed for testing
Specimen Required
Defines the optimal specimen. This field describes the type of specimen required to perform the test and the preferred volume to complete testing. The volume allows automated processing, fastest throughput and, when indicated, repeat or reflex testing.
Container/Tube:
Preferred: Red top
Acceptable: Serum gel
Specimen Volume: 1 mL
Collection Instructions: Fasting.
Specimen Minimum Volume
Defines the amount of specimen required to perform an assay once, including instrument and container dead space. Submitting the minimum specimen volume makes it impossible to repeat the test or perform confirmatory or perform reflex testing. In some situations, a minimum specimen volume may result in a QNS (quantity not sufficient) result, requiring a second specimen to be collected.
Reject Due To
Identifies specimen types and conditions that may cause the specimen to be rejected
| Hemolysis | Mild OK; Gross OK |
| Lipemia | Mild OK; Gross reject |
| Icterus | Mild OK; Gross OK |
| Other | NA |
Specimen Stability Information
Provides a description of the temperatures required to transport a specimen to the laboratory. Alternate acceptable temperature(s) are also included.
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Serum | Refrigerated (preferred) | 21 days |
| Ambient | 21 days | |
| Frozen | 21 days |
Clinical Information
Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
The first component of complement (C1) is composed of 3 subunits designated as C1q, C1r, and C1s. C1q recognizes and binds to immunoglobulin complexed to antigen and initiates the complement cascade. Congenital deficiencies of any of the early complement components (C1, C2, C4) results in an inability to clear immune complexes. Inherited deficiency of C1 is rare.
Like the more common C2 deficiency, C1 deficiency is associated with increased incidence of immune complex disease (systemic lupus erythematosus, polymyositis, glomerulonephritis, and Henoch-Schonlein purpura). Low C1 levels have also been reported in patients with abnormal immunoglobulin levels (Bruton's and common variable hypogammaglobulinemia and severe combined immunodeficiency), and this is most likely due to increased catabolism.
The measurement of C1q is an indicator of the amount of C1 present.
Reference Values
Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.
12-22 mg/dL
Interpretation
Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
An undetectable C1q in the presence of an absent CH(50) and normal C2, C3, and C4 suggests a congenital C1 deficiency.
A low C1q in combination with a low C1 inhibitor and low C4 suggests an acquired C1 inhibitor deficiency.
Cautions
Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
This is a different assay than C1q binding, which is an assay for circulating immune complexes.
Clinical Reference
Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
1. Frank MM: Complement in the pathophysiology of human disease. N Engl J Med 1987 June 11;316(24):1525-1530
2. Frank MM: Complement deficiencies. Pediatr Clin North Am 2000 December;47(6):1339-1354
3. Frigas E: Angioedema with acquired deficiency of the C1 inhibitor: a constellation of syndromes. Mayo Clin Proc 1989 October;64(10):1269-1275
Method Description
Describes how the test is performed and provides a method-specific reference
Nephelometry and anti-C1q antiserum are used to quantitate the C1q antigen level. (Instruction manual: Nephelometer II Operations. 1999. Siemens, Marburg, Germany)
Day(s) and Time(s) Test Performed
Outlines the days and times the test is performed. This field reflects the day and time the sample must be in the testing laboratory to begin the testing process and includes any specimen preparation and processing time required before the test is performed. Some tests are listed as continuously performed, which means assays are performed several times during the day.
Monday through Saturday; Continuously until 3 p.m.
Analytic Time
Defines the amount of time it takes the laboratory to setup and perform the test. This is defined in number of days. The shortest interval of time expressed is "same day/1 day," which means the results may be available the same day that the sample is received in the testing laboratory. One day means results are available 1 day after the sample is received in the laboratory.
Maximum Laboratory Time
Defines the maximum time from specimen receipt at Mayo Medical Laboratories until the release of the test result
Specimen Retention Time
Outlines the length of time after testing that a specimen is kept in the laboratory before it is discarded
Performing Laboratory Location
The location of the laboratory that performs the test
Test Classification
Provides information regarding the medical device classification for laboratory test kits and reagents. Tests may be classified as cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and used per manufacturer's instructions, or as products that do not undergo full FDA review and approval, and are then labeled as an Analyte Specific Reagent (ASR), Investigation Use Only (IUO) product, or a Research Use Only (RUO) product.
CPT Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code(s) information for each test or profile. The listed CPT codes reflect Mayo Medical Laboratories interpretation of CPT coding requirements. It is the responsibility of each laboratory to determine correct CPT codes to use for billing.
86160
LOINC® Code Information
Provides guidance in determining the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) values for the result codes returned for this test or profile.
| Result ID | Reporting Name | LOINC Code |
|---|---|---|
| C1Q | Complement C1q, S | 4478-4 |


