Cystatin C

Service Description

Why Get Tested? To assess your kidney function if you have known or suspected kidney disease, but only in specific circumstances when traditional kidney function tests are misleading. It is used to calculate how well your kidneys are able to filter waste products from the blood. When the kidneys are functioning normally, the concentration of cystatin C in the blood is stable, but as kidney function deteriorates, the concentration begins to rise, often before that of creatinine. This increase occurs as the GFR falls and is usually detectable before a person has any symptoms of kidney disease. Sample Required? A blood sample taken from a vein in your arm Is any test preparation needed to ensure the quality of the sample? No test preparation is needed.