Complement C4 blood work? | Arthritis Information

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I've read online about C4 lab tests and how if it's elevated it can indicate arthritis....have any of you heard of this and has anyone known of this test and had an elevated result?The complement system is involved in the inflammatory process.  My C3 and C4 were two (of the many) blood tests my RD ran when I first saw him.  My C3 was increased.  The levels are usually high when inflammation is present - similar to the C-Reactive Protein test.  So, while the increased numbers can tell your RD something is wrong, it doesn't specifically tell your RD it's RA. 

 
 
 
Hope that helps.
kweenb is correct in that the C3 and C4 indicate inflammation is present and that it doesn't specifically indicate whether a person has RA or not. However, the C3 and C4 tests are more accurate in indicating the level of inflammation giving the dr. the info needed for ordering additional tests.
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