Cystatin C

Diagnostic Use

Cystatin C is useful for assessing renal function in patients suspected of having kidney disease, and monitoring treatment response in patients with kidney disease.
Cystatin C is used as a measure of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in patients where creatinine results may be misleading, such as:
•People with abnormally low or abnormally high muscle mass
•Obese patients
•Malnourished patients
•Children

Department

Protein Lab

Delphic Registration Code

PCYS

Synonyms

Cystatin

Turnaround Time

4 days

Test Code

8675

Specimen Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Specimen Requirements

Tube/Container Type:

Preferred

• Serum (Red Cap)

Preferred if West Coast

• SST II (Gold Cap)

Acceptable

• SST II (Gold Cap)
• Lithium Heparin - Non-gel (Green Cap)
• Lithium Heparin - Gel (Light Green Cap)

Preferred Sample Volume (ml)

0.5

Minimum Sample Volume (ml)

0.25

No of Samples Required

1

Aliquot Instructions

Sample Type

• Serum
• Plasma

Minimum Volume (ml)

0.25

Transport to Lab

Chilled (2 - 8 degrees Celsius)

Interpretation

Cystatin C is freely filtered in the renal glomeruli and is normally re-absorbed in the proximal tubules where it is nearly completely metabolised, leading to insignificant levels in the urine. The proportion of cystatin C found in the serum is inversely proportional to the glomerular filtration rate and is uanaffected by:
•Infection
•Inflammation
•Neoplasia
•Body mass
•Diet
•Drugs.

Reference Intervals

Adults Reference interval: 0.62 – 1.11 mg/L

Test Method

Immunoassay on Siemens BNII nephelometer.

Non-Funded Test Cost

$12.38 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

8675

Contact Information

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