what does high complement levels mean?

To: Hi All
I have am 40 years old and for 10 years I have periodically have the following symptoms: lowgrade fever, body aches , right flank pain, extreme fatigue, joint pain ( my fingers are in so much pain I sometimes feel I cant close them , my spine is constantly aching, I have constant right hip pain) In 2003, I had multiple tests done, MRI, CT scan & just about EVERY blood test possible. No Rheumatoid Arthritis, Neg. ANA, Negative Epstine Barr. The only thing found was a " spot" of arthritis on my lower spine. Now its 5 years later and one again, I am just desperate to live a life like I did at one time- with out pain & fatigue.Because all Doctors that I have seen figures my " body aches were muscular- skelatal issues, I am currently under the care of an orthopedic. I have bursitis in the shoulders and get steroid shots from time to time. When I bring up my non stop hip pain , he seems to feel sense I JUST got an MRI of the spine in 2003, my pain is prob. just arthritis.  Lately I have had to cancel some really important social events because of this " illness". I work in a lab so I decided that I need to take things into my own hands if I am every going to feel better. I did an ANA ( negative), ESR slightly elevated, Complement 3 and 4 were both high, and I am waiting for my Sojrens ( sp? ) antibody to come back. Weird thing is, I thought Id run the c3 & c4 to rule out possible lupus, But mine came out on the opposite spectrum that shows lupus. After researching, I cant find much about what high complement levels mean. I just am wondering if these complements levels being high have anything to do with my health issues. Im sorry to vent, I dont even know where to go from here. I think we all have somethings in common, We know we have health issues but are not sure who to channel them to to make us feel better. Please give me advice.

Barbara Borel

[PlateletGal]

Hi ! You may want to google "complement testing" + "lab tests online". I think you will find your answer there.

Best,

PlateletGal

[bbore]

Yes the intenet has a little on high complement levels but of course with Autoimmune disorders the compements are low. So I will bring what I have to my Dr. next monday. Sad thing is because there is nothing pointing towards any autoimmune disorder, I guess I will be in pain for much longer that I thought. It really is depressing

Barbara

[PlateletGal]

What were your results ?

[carlah1561]

I am in alot of pain. I have had DDD for years in my hips and spine the pain has been tollerable. Now the pain is in my legs, ankles and feet and the pain is unbearable. I just got my Complement C4 back and its high. My ANA isn't back yet so I have to wait on that. What can we do? Carla

[karajo]

Check this web site out:

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/complement_levels/test.html

"Complement protein levels are usually increased, along with other unrelated proteins called acute phase proteins, during acute or chronic inflammation."

[meldredge]

I have ALL of the same issues you do! My Complement C3 levels are also high (209) but my doctor says it just means I have extra protein running around in my body. Huh?!? My Vitamin D levels are extremely low (10.5) and my BUN/Creatinine Ratio is slightly elevated (23). I am 38 years old and have suffered for over 11 years with Fibromyalgia. Since all of the rest of my blood tests are always normal I keep getting the "blow off" when I question why I am suffering. I feel like everyone just thinks I am a hypochondriac!

I am desperate for answers. If you have any I would love to hear them!

[HeatherB75]

I am right there with you all!  After suffering for 10 years, I was finally diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis after having a + HLA-B27 gene.  My rheumy was certain I also had lupus and ran this Complement test (in addition to several others) and my CRP was elevated (1.3) and my Complement was high at 189.  So I don't have lupus so it looks like it still points to my psoriatic arthritis.  Ironically my psoriasis is mainly on my scalp and it didn't show up until I had been battling joint pain and fatigue for 10 years. I would definitely recommend googling the HLA-B27 or spondyloarthritis, which is part of it.  

[nykgirl33]

This is crazy, I have the same problems.  I am in the Army and have been going through a medical discharge since October.  Originally I was diagnosed with herniated discs and ddd until the rheumatologist also diagnosed me with fibromyalgia.  He is running a lot of labs on me and they all keep coming back high for inflammation.  I have a lot of symptoms for lupus but my complement levels are high and my ana is positive but 0 with the flourescent scale.  I also get the butterfly rash on my scalp especially after being in the sun.  My esr is high, c reactive protein is high. wbc was high.  I am so depressed lately I cant take it anymore.  The rheumatologist has run four different lab tests on me and still doesnt know what I have.  Does anybody have an idea?

[nutrinut_bob]

I've an idea, and the people in the Army hospitals should have more than an idea.  You in all likelyhood have a mycoplasma infection from the immunizations you've received over the years.  I got mine in 1968 from a typhoid vaccine the AF gave all of us in my little Ohio town after a flood.  In the 9th grade my shoulders started falling out of joint, when I was in my 30s a chiropractor told me my lower disk looked like someone that was in their 80s.  Before you get out and have to turn to the craziness of the VA, you should check with:  http://www.immed.org/index.htm  The standard tests you're going through aren't going to find the little vermin.

[iloveigs]

I was diagnosed with Lupus 4yrs ago and sometimes my C4 is elevated...

[toomanymeds34]

Not sure if you still look on this site... that being said, I would take extra vitamin D.  When I saw Mary Wise, MD, ND in 2006 my Vitamin D level was 8 ng.
Here is the list of what I take for Vitamin D. Doctor gives me Ergocalciferol 50,000 IU once monthly and Calcitriol 0.25 mcg twice weekly. I also take Citracal plus D3 (over the counter product, becuase I'm lactose intolerant). As well as a product called Ultra D-3 from www.nutraceutical.com . It is on the expensive side BUT my bone density levels have IMPROVED by taking 10,000 IU per day for the last two years. My bone specialist was SURPRISED, when I told her that even thu I'm on Medicaid that I pay out of pocket to see the nutritionist that first prescribed this to me. ANYTHING to get better!!
Keep in mind that this is for ME and I've had severe deficiency as I have celiac disease and fair skin.
Talk with your MD. If he/she will NOT listen switch to a different one until u get the help YOU need. This is about YOU... Ask you doctor, if i was your child or your sister what advice would you give me to HELP me get well?!!
Blessings, Michelle (NOT a doctor)

[Barrie1964]

Symptoms similar to yours, although I do have positive ANA tests.  Quite high actually.  Like you my C3 & C4 complements raise, instead of lower (as with Lupus) when I'm sick.  I've been hospitalized 6 times in 2 years and have seen numerous rheumatologists.  Still searching for a name for this disease.

[Poccom]

Hi ,
I have had 3 positive ANA and neg Lupus factor  negative RA Factor and have high protein levels in my blood as well as high Complement C3 . Hve my rtrun appt with Dr next week. How did you make out and if I can ask what was your diagnosis? I was even tested for Myeloma but am ok.

[Poccom]

Hi ,
I have had 3 positive ANA and neg Lupus factor  negative RA Factor and have high protein levels in my blood as well as high Complement C3 . Have my retrun appt with Dr next week. How did you make out and if I can ask what was your diagnosis? I was even tested for Myeloma but am ok.

[mdtmd]

http://www.functionalmedicine.org/practitioner_search.aspx?id=117

Go to the link and begin working with a doctor who can help you reach the underlying cause of what is going on.  Functional medicine aims to correct underlying causes of disease where so often medicine is treating symptoms.

All the comments have this vibe of "what do these tests say I *have*?"  These tests are markers and are not specific for any one or two illnesses; they are clues. The diagnosis - the naming of some disease process - is not as important as a) what triggered the illness, and b) what keeps the illness going.  If you take measures to correct these two factors, and you begin to feel better, what you call the disease doesn't really matter.

The functional medicine approach begins with assessing your ENTIRE medical/social(stress) history and invariably begins with correcting diet and activity first, before further tests and clues narrow the therapeutic approach.  It requires a close working relationship with the physician and diligent effort (no quick fixes) from each over a long time to consistently reverse the processes and behaviors that have led to the mischief.

Good luck!

[elbamom]

As concerns low D levels, you can get D3 over the counter at Costco, Walmart etc for cheap. You don't need a script. A D3 test will let you know what your D level is. Don't have the Doc. do a D2 test as they are different, unless they run it with a D3.

Loads of free info on vitamin D at www.vitamindcouncil.org Your levels need to be at 50-70 mg not the current 20 that is considered "normal". The more med problems you have the more you need D3. It takes time for your body to improve. I currently take 10,000 IU of D3 a day and my levels are at 57.
It should help with the bone and joint pain at the very least. Our bodies need D at a cellular level to work correctly.

Give it a try and let us know how you are doing.
elbamom

It will improve your health in just so many ways!