What does a low C3 and C4 mean?
Low C3 and C4 levels, below 60 for C3 and 15 for C4 (in the usual American measure), occur in active lupus, especially in the setting of kidney disease or immune breakdown of blood cells (autoimmune hemolytic anemia, AIHA). Some types of lupus, such as brain disease, do not cause low complement levels.
What are the different types of glomerulonephritis?
There are two types of glomerulonephritis—acute and chronic. The acute form develops suddenly. You may get it after an infection in your throat or on your skin….The early symptoms of the acute disease are:
- puffiness of your face in the morning.
- blood in your urine (or brown urine)
- urinating less than usual.
Why is complement low in glomerulonephritis?
Low serum complement levels in patients with glomerulonephritis most often result from activation of complement within the kidney or other sites. Most often production does not keep up with consumption,12 although patients with congenital or acquired complement deficiencies are more prone to develop glomerulonephritis.
What are the signs and symptoms of glomerulonephritis?
Common symptoms of glomerulonephritis are: Blood in the urine (dark, rust-colored, or brown urine) Foamy urine (due to excess protein in the urine) Swelling (edema) of the face, eyes, ankles, feet, legs, or abdomen.
What does it mean if I have a low C4?
A low level of C4 is associated with autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The complement C4 test only requires basic preparation and carries few risks. The sample of your blood will be sent to a laboratory for analysis. The results will then be sent to your doctor.
What causes low C3 and C4 complement levels?
This is the result of an acquired disease. If your C3 and C4 levels are reduced, this may be a sign that you have lupus. With lupus, your total complement level may be slightly lower. Low C3 and C4 levels may also be a sign of alcoholic liver disease.
What is the most common type of glomerulonephritis?
IgA nephropathy is also known as Berger’s disease. It is the most common form of glomerulonephritis in adults worldwide. IgA nephropathy typically presents as nephritic syndrome (macroscopic haematuria), 24-48 hours after an upper respiratory tract infection.
Why is C3 low in glomerulonephritis?
Low C3 and C4 are characteristic of the glomerulonephritis caused by deposition of circulating immune complexes (e.g. SLE, infective endocardi- tis). Normal or nearly normal C3 with very low C4 is characteristic of type 2 and type 3 cryoglobulinemia.
What does a low complement C4 mean?
The complement component 4 (C4) test is a simple blood test that measures the amount of complement C4 circulating in your bloodstream. A low level of C4 is associated with autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The complement C4 test only requires basic preparation and carries few risks.
Which is the main complication of glomerulonephritis?
Glomerulonephritis can damage your kidneys so that they lose their filtering ability. As a result, dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes and waste build up in your body. Possible complications of glomerulonephritis include: Acute kidney failure.
What causes low C4?
A low level of C4 is associated with autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The complement C4 test only requires basic preparation and carries few risks. The sample of your blood will be sent to a laboratory for analysis.