Complement C3 Unit Converter

Complement C3 is a protein in your blood that plays a central role in your immune system's complement pathway. It is the most abundant and important protein in the complement system, which helps your body fight infections and clear away damaged cells.

When activated, C3 is cleaved into two fragments: C3a (which triggers inflammation) and C3b (which coats pathogens to mark them for destruction). This activation can occur through three different pathways: classical, lectin, and alternative.

C3 levels reflect the balance between production (mostly by the liver) and consumption (during immune responses). Low levels may indicate the immune system is actively using C3 to fight disease, while elevated levels often signal inflammation.

C3 is produced primarily by the liver. Smaller amounts are also made by adipose tissue, macrophages, and certain epithelial cells in the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts.