Cystatin C (BC0052)

Description

Cystatin C is a laboratory blood test used to measure the level of cystatin C, a low-molecular-weight protein produced by all nucleated cells and filtered by the kidneys. It is an important marker of kidney function and is used to assess glomerular filtration rate (GFR), especially in patients where serum creatinine may be less reliable, such as older adults, malnourished patients, very obese individuals, patients with low or high muscle mass, or those with chronic illness. Elevated cystatin C levels may indicate reduced kidney filtration and can help in the early detection of chronic kidney disease (CKD), monitoring kidney disease progression, and confirming kidney function when creatinine-based eGFR is borderline or uncertain. Many laboratories also report eGFR calculated from cystatin C along with the test result. Labcorp specifically notes it can be used as a confirmatory test for CKD diagnosis when creatinine-based GFR is decreased.

Report Time

Fasting

Overnight Fasting Preferred / Not Mandatory

Reporting Time

7–10 Days

Gender

Male/Female

Age Group

All Age Group

Pre-Test Instructions:

Overnight fasting preferred (if following Labcorp-style protocol)
Collect in serum gel tube (preferred) or red-top tube; some labs also accept green-top heparin plasma
If plasma is used, separate plasma from red blood cells promptly
If using serum, centrifuge within 2 hours and transfer/aliquot if needed (per Mayo handling guidance)
Avoid grossly hemolyzed or grossly icteric specimens; such samples may be rejected depending on lab policy
Useful when creatinine-based kidney assessment may be misleading (e.g., elderly, malnourished, obesity, abnormal muscle mass)
Elevated cystatin C generally suggests reduced GFR / decreased kidney function
Often used with eGFR calculation and may be combined with creatinine for more accurate renal assessment in selected patients

Parameters Covered

रु 3,000

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Cystatin C (BC0052)

Description

Report Time

Pre-Test Instructions:

Parameters Covered

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