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

Laboratory Handling

Test Adds

Suitable for test add if sample has been stored refrigerated for up to 14 days or frozen at -20 C for 1 month.

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

$12.94 (Exclusive of GST)

Billing Code

8675

Contact Information

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