What do the results mean?
If your results show lower than normal amounts or decreased activity of complement proteins, it may mean you have one of the following conditions:
Lupus
Rheumatoid arthritis
Cirrhosis
Certain types of kidney disease
Hereditary angioedema, a rare but serious disorder of the immune system. It can cause swelling of the face and airways.
Malnutrition
A recurrent infection (usually bacterial)
If your results show higher than normal amounts or increased activity of complement proteins, it may mean you have one of the following conditions:
Certain types of cancer, such as leukemia or non-Hodgkin lymphoma
Ulcerative colitis, a condition in which the lining of the large intestine and rectum become inflamed
If you are being treated for lupus or another autoimmune disease, increased amounts or activity of complement proteins may mean your treatment is working.
If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.
Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.
