Complement, C5 Component

Complement Component 5, Complement C5

Test Codes

EPIC: LAB1231534, Beaker: XC5C, Warde: CSAG

Department

Send Outs

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect (preferred specimen): One plain Red-top tube.
Also acceptable: One Gold-top SST tube.

Send specimen for processing after collection. 

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Let specimen clot completely then centrifuge to separate serum from cells. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate at (2-8°C or 36-46).

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, refrigerated at (2-8°C or 36-46). (Minimum: 0.5 mL).

Rejection Criteria

• Plasma.
• Gross lipemia.
• Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Critical frozen. Let specimen clot completely then centrifuge to separate serum from cells within two hours of collection. Transfer serum to a plastic transport tube and refrigerate at (2-8°C or 36-46).

Transport: 1.0 mL serum, frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below). (Minimum: 0.5 mL) 

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 7 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 28 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): 60 days

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Specimen retention time is determined by the policy of the reference laboratory. Contact the Send Outs Laboratory with any questions.

Laboratory

Sent to Warde Medical Laboratory, Ann Arbor, MI, forward to Mayo Clinical Labs, Rochester, MN.

Performed

Monday – Friday.
Results available in 4-7 days.

Reference Range

By report.

Test Methodology

Nephelometry

Clinical Utility

Quantifying human C5 in serum aids in the diagnosis and treatment of immunologic disorders associated with C5 deficiency. Decreased C5 levels have been associated with systemic Neisseria sp. infections (recurrent meningitis and systemic gonorrhea with arthritis) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as well as congenital C5 deficiency.

CPT Codes

86160

Contacts

Last Updated

6/9/2026