LOW C3 or LOW C4...Lupus and LOW Complements Level

[hugabunch]

Just wondering about this topic......There has been some discussion before about this, but would like to have some more specific information.......

** Just number your post and answer that questions one by one. THANKS :D **

For those of you who have or have had LOW Complement levels...

1. Have you been DX with SLE....???

2.If not what have you been DX with...???

3. What are now / or in the past have your C3 and C4 levels at...???

4. What symptoms are you having...???

5. What Med's are you taking.....???

6. Have those meds helps with symptoms and complement levels...???

7. Do you have or have you ever had a positive ANA...???

8. What is the highest that that has been...???

Thanks a Bunch...... :love:

[hugabunch]

1. No not yet.
2. I have been DX with UCTD ( May 2004)...but Rheumy thinks it is SLE.
3. C3.......73.3 C4.........9.38 (Sept 03)
C3.......87.1 C4.........12.9 (May 04)
4. Symptoms with LOW Complement....Joint Pain...Knees and hands, fatique, lots of food allergies/ sensitivites, head aches, sun sensitivity....mild rashes....Last winter...blood in urine.....the list goes on....
5. Rheumy wants me to start on Plaquinil.....but have not started yet. Using some natural supplements and some Daypro as needed...when pain gets too intolerable.
6. No, I don't think what I am taking has helped my Complement levels. They have been consistanly Low for a year now. I may start on the Plaquinil here soon. I have another appt with Rheumy in Sept.
7. Yes, Positive ANA
8. Highest ANA 1:160....currently 1:80...low positive.

[raggedyann1]

Hello all,

My complements have always tested in the normal range for 18 years now so I don't think that will ever change for me.

Karen

[cath]

;) Hi,
I thought I'd add to your list...
1. haven't got a diagnosis yet
2. being investigted for autoimmune problems ??? SLE or Autoimmune hepatitis.
3. C4 level 4 (I asked my rheumy about this and she looked embarrased and said it was 'boarderline'?!
4. itchy all over, red rash on face, lacey red rash on legs with petechial haemorhages, joint pain and swelling, migranes, photosensitivity, intermitent proteinuria, mouth ulcers and chest and abdo pain, leucopaenia, thrombocytopaenia, raised LFT's.
5. certirizine and meloxicab
6.meds are for symptom releaf not treatment
7. yes, boarderline positive 1:80, speckled
8. same level on both occasions so far.
Good luck collecting info - I'll be interested in what others have to share! :flowers:

[hugabunch]

Thanks for your responses...anyone else out there with Low C3 or C4 or BOTH..???
:o

[Kayaker]

Hi Everyone,
I was really glad to find this topic. I know that it was posted some time ago, but I haven't been online to the site for quite awhile.
I am low C4 and C3. Here is my information:
C4: 6
C3: 86
ANA: Was only positive when symptoms first started 4 or so years ago. I am tested every 6 months and it has been negative ever since. I don't know the numbers.

I have seen 3 doctors. The first rheum. diagnosed me with SLE. This was after one set of blook tests. I then went to get another opinion. The second doctor spent a lot of time with me and monitored me for several months with bloodwork every 3 months. He did not want to comfirm SLE, until he had repeated tests, which was great! He found low C4 count each time, but a negative ANA. The C3 has been low as well, but they have been mainly focusing on the C4.

Current Diagnosis: C4 Deficiency Lupus Syndrome.

I take 200mg of Plaquenil twice a day. I believe that it is helpful. When I first started having trouble, I was running low grade fevers all the time for several weeks. I have joint pain in just about every joint, a redness to my face (but no rash) and extreme fatigue. It took a few weeks for the medication to start making a difference, but I have had very little trouble with fevers and my energy is better. I still have constant joint pain, but it is better than it used to be.

During this past visit to the rheu. they convinced me to go on 750mg (3 times a day) of Trilisate. I was very hesitant but decided to try it to see it it would help with the pain. Too soon to tell.

Other symptoms that I have are: snapping joints, tender points around my joints, sensitivity to sun (headaches, fatique, pink cheeks), sore muscles, skin sensitivies, sensitivites to medications and some foods, some forgetfulness.

I recently had abdominal surgery (hysterectomy with , uterus, both ovaries, tubes removed) and felt that it took me an extra long time to get through the tough part of recovery.

On another note, because I see different doctors for various reasons, I try to get copies of all bloodwork and reports so that when I go from one doctor to the next, I can pass on results. Unfortunately, one doctor may not always know what another doctor is doing. It is good to keep copies for yourself.

I hope this is of help. Peace, Kayaker.

[Raglet]

My C4 is often low, and my C3 sometimes.

raglet

[Lily]

Same with me Raglet.

love
Lily

[kellykay]

both were low for me
!. no
2. dxed sjogren's syndrome and possible/probable myositis and premature menopause
3 Not sure. they were low the first time they checked a yr ago then 6 wks later they were normal and they just checked it again .. not sure the result

4. aside from the dry eyes mouth and swollowing problems\

Fatique, arthritis, proximal muscle weakness , shortness of breath, skin rashes numbness and tingling in extremeties ... headaches.. foggy brain... and on and on

5 taking hrt.. mobic 7.5 mg to 15 mg a day ,plaquenil 200 mg a day

6. not sure they help the c3 c4,,, the mobic helps arthritis the HRT helps hot flashes and the plaquenil doesn't seem to be helping anything .. been on it 6 wks only Oh and the mobic seems to keep my headaches under control i am told they are clluster headaches

7/8 i have a low positive ana 1:80 and it has been higher in the past 1; 160 finely specked i think

[hakomama]

1. SLE
3. C3 Nov/04 - .89 May/05 - .78
C4 Nov/04 - .12 May/05 - .13
just tested a couple months ago but can't remember the results. Don't see doc again until April... white blood cell count also low.
4. fatigue, aches and pains, raynauds nothing I can't handle
5. plaqunil
6. the meds seem to be helping, my sypmtoms are minimal (thankfully)
7. yes positive ANA - not sure what the count was...

[sam101360]

Fluctuating C3 and C4 but usually lower than normal. Never a positive ANA


SCLE, SLE, APS mostly skin, joints and muscle - recent kidney problems currently under investigation


Stephanie

[lullrich76]

I was diagnosed in November with UCTD and put on Plaquenil. My C4 was 14 in October 2002, but no one talked about it back then. When I saw this new rheumy in October he saw my old results and wanted to test it again. It was low again, I don't have a report yet, so I don't know the number. My ANA has been positive ranging from 1:80-1:640, speckled.

I have tons of symptoms like, joint pain, swelling, fatigue, vaginal/anal/mouth ulcers, dry eyes/mouth/skin/nose/lips, vaginal dryness, photosensitivity, brown rash on face from sun, cold hands/feet/ears/nose, low-grade temp, pleurisy, fogetfulness/brain fog, headaches, I can't remember the others, but I think there are more.

This is a good topic.