Cystatin C details
Description
Cystatin C is a protein produced by essentially all cells in the body at a fairly steady rate, and — unlike creatinine — its blood level isn't significantly affected by muscle mass, age, sex, or diet, which makes it a useful alternative or complementary marker of kidney function in situations where creatinine might be misleading (very muscular or very frail people, for example). It's filtered by the kidneys similarly to creatinine, so an elevated level likewise indicates reduced kidney filtering capacity. Some labs use cystatin C alone or combined with creatinine to calculate a more precise eGFR, particularly useful for detecting early kidney function decline that a creatinine-based estimate alone might miss.
Optimal & Reference range
Cystatin C
mg/L- Low
- Below optimal
- Optimal
- Above optimal
- High
- Optimal range
- 0.62 - 0.9
- Reference range
- 0.5 - 1
- Out of range
- <0.5 or >1
Interpretation
- Low: Your result is below the reference range. Discuss it with your healthcare provider, who can interpret it alongside your symptoms and other results.
- Below optimal: Your result is within the reference range, but below the range we consider optimal.
- Optimal: Your result is within the optimal range.
- Above optimal: Your result is within the reference range, but above the range we consider optimal.
- High: Your result is above the reference range. Discuss it with your healthcare provider, who can interpret it alongside your symptoms and other results.
- These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Blood tests with Cystatin C
Explore available tests to better understand your results and gain deeper insights into your health.
Single marker
Cystatin C
$69.49
Cystatin C is a protein produced by all nucleated cells that is filtered by the kidneys. It serves as a sensitive and early marker of kidney function, often providing a more accurate assessment of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) than creatinine, especially in certain populations.
- Cystatin C An alternative marker of kidney function that, unlike creatinine, isn't affected by muscle mass — useful for a more precise eGFR estimate.
Panel
Cystatin C with Glomerular Filtration Rate, Estimated (eGFR)
$16.99
This test measures the level of Cystatin C, a protein found in your body fluids, to assess kidney function. Unlike other markers, the level of Cystatin C's in the blood does not change due to infections, diet, or medication, making it a reliable indicator of how well your kidneys are filtering. The test also estimates your Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR), which indicates the rate at which your kidneys are filtering the blood. It's especially useful for people with unusual muscle mass or rapidly changing kidney function.
- Cystatin C An alternative marker of kidney function that, unlike creatinine, isn't affected by muscle mass — useful for a more precise eGFR estimate.
- Estimated GFR