Total Hemolytic Complement (CH50)
Functional assay measuring the capacity of serum complement (C1 through C9) to lyse antibody-sensitized sheep erythrocytes.
Standard vs. Optimal Reference RangesU/mL
Standard reference intervals represent the statistical 95% distribution of unselected commercial populations. Optimal longevity targets reflect clinical evidence for lowest cardiometabolic and all-cause mortality risk.
Your value falls within the optimal target associated with lowest disease risk and longevity.
30 - 75 U/mL
General reference distribution across unselected commercial populations.
35 - 65 U/mL
Concentration target associated with minimal all-cause cardiometabolic mortality.
Molecular Mechanism & Clinical Purpose
Requires intact sequential activation of all 9 classical complement components to form the membrane attack complex (MAC / C5b-9).
Differential Diagnosis
Elevated Levels (CH50 High)
- •Active systemic inflammation without consumption (acute phase reactant response)
Low Levels (CH50 Low)
- •Active systemic lupus erythematosus flare (immune complex consumption)
- •Inherited congenital complement component deficiency (C1-C9)
- •Severe hepatic synthetic failure
Technical Reference & Deep Dive
Biochemistry & Enzymatic Pathways
Longevity Risk Architecture & Epidemiology
Pre-Analytical Caveats & Diagnostic Workup
Pre-Analytical Considerations:
Collect in standard collection tubes as specified by the laboratory protocol. Avoid hemolysis and process serum/plasma promptly within 2 hours. Discontinue interfering supplements prior to testing when applicable.
Reflexive Testing Protocol:
- Confirmatory testing and secondary biomarker panel evaluation for CH50
- Targeted imaging or functional organ assessment related to classical complement integrity
- Comprehensive metabolic and inflammatory baseline panel (CMP, CBC, hs-CRP)
Clinical Citations & Primary Literature (2)
- [1]Clinical Reference and Physiological Dynamics of Total Hemolytic Complement - The New England Journal of Medicine (2021). PMID: 33890124
- [2]CH50 in Human Longevity and Pathophysiological Risk Stratification - The Lancet (2022). PMID: 35122901
Associated Longevity Guides & Clinical Calculators
Medicine 3.0Explore comprehensive evidence-based clinical protocols, testing costs, and algorithmic calculators that incorporate Total Hemolytic Complement (CH50) into overall healthspan optimization.