Is C4 low in lupus?

Is C4 low in lupus?

Low complement C4 levels are most commonly found in lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus), an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues [9, 10]. Patients with lupus can have persistently low C4 levels (< 10 mg/dL).

Why is C4 low in SLE?

Lupus patients usually have low C3 and C4 levels during disease flares because of activation of the complement system by immune complexes (ICs) [1].

Is C3 and C4 always low in lupus?

In certain diseases, both components are low. But in others, only 1 component is low. In lupus, both C3 and C4 levels are usually low. If your healthcare provider suspects lupus, you may have a number of other blood tests to see how your immune system is functioning.

How does complement deficiency lead to lupus?

The association between complement deficiencies and SLE could be explained by several mechanisms, including impaired clearance of immune complexes and impaired handling of apoptotic cells, aberrant tolerance induction or changes in cytokine regulation.

What does a low C3 and C4 mean?

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 causes low C3 and C4?

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 causes low C3 and low C4?

Why does lupus cause low WBC?

A lower than normal lymphocyte count is found on the full blood count in about 95% of lupus patients. This is due to the presence of antibodies to lymphocytes which results in the destruction of the antibody-coated lymphocytes.

Can you have lupus with normal C3 and C4?

Is complement C4 deficiency linked to lupus?

Complement C4 deficiency is commonly associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). According to lupus.org, 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported each year .

What causes low C4 levels in autoimmune diseases?

C4 levels will be decreased in these non-hereditary autoimmune disorders. For example, people with lupus often have low C4 (and other complement) levels [ 5 ]. Other rare conditions that may also lower C4 levels include hereditary angioedema and congenital C4 deficiency.

What does it mean when your C4 and C3 are low?

Usually your total complement level is also slightly lower in this situation. Low C3 and C4 levels may also be a sign of alcoholic liver disease, but this is less common. A deficiency in complement C4 levels has been linked to different forms of kidney disease and chronic hepatitis.

What does it mean if my C4 complement is low?

If only your C4 complement level is low, and all other complement components are normal, it is usually because of an inherited component deficiency. More often, you will have lowered levels of several complement components at once. This is the result of an acquired disease.