The Cystatin C test determines the concentration of cystatin C in your blood. Cystatin C is constantly produced by your body and is found in many body fluids such as blood and spinal fluid. When your kidneys are healthy, they filter cystatin C from your blood via urine. The Cystatin C test is used to evaluate how well your kidneys or renal system are working. Protein levels are used to calculate glomerular filtration rate (GFR). GFR levels indicate how well the kidneys are operating. Doctors may also use it to assess the course of a patient's specific renal condition. If your doctor feels you have a kidney ailment, he may order a Cystatin C test. This is due to the fact that creatinine serum levels are not always dependable. The amount of creatinine in your blood is determined by creatinine serum. When the renal system is operating normally, cystatin C concentrations in the blood are normal. However, when kidney function declines, the level rises. As the glomerular filtration rate decreases, cystatin C levels rise. Cystatin C levels vary with glomerular filtration rate, making it a viable biomarker for the evaluation of renal diseases. Some symptoms might prompt your doctor to recommend a Cystatin C test. These include: Change in the amount of urine passed in a day Water retention in different body parts Dyspnoea or shortness of breath Painful sensation in the chest Seizures The prevalence of kidney disease in India is around 800 per million of the population. What Does the Cystatin C Test Measure? and Who is It Prescribed For? Cystatin C test measures the amount of cystatin C in the blood, which is useful in evaluating the functioning power of kidneys in the body. A doctor generally advises a Cystatin C test in people who are at higher risk of kidney dysfunction: People who have diabetes or high blood pressure. People who have a family history of kidney-related problems. People who fall under the obese category. People who have had acute kidney injury. People who are regular smokers. Doctors prescribe Cystatin C if a patient at high risk shows the following symptoms: Stomach troubles or acute pain in the stomach. Nausea Fatigue Excessive dry and itchy skin. Foamy urine or blood in the urine. Much like other tests and diseases, early detection is advisable, and a doctor’s advice is paramount. How do you reduce Cystatin C? The most effective ways to lower Cystatin C levels are as follows: Regular exercise A healthy but low-protein diet that improves kidney function Quit smoking Control blood sugar Maintain normal blood pressure

Chronic Kidney Disease and other renal disorders

Normal Range of Cystatin C in the Blood 0.62 – 1.15 mg/L. What does it mean when Cystatin C is high? High levels of Cystatin C indicate kidney dysfunction. This means the GFR is low, and the kidney is not filtering the bodily fluids effectively. There are some conditions in which there could be a slight increase in Cystatin C: Smoking Alcohol Obesity Ageing Genetics Chronic inflammation Hyperthyroidism Physical inactivity Medical treatment includes corticosteroids, Pregnancy What if Cystatin C is low? Low levels of Cystatin C mean the levels are below the reference range. The following conditions can lead to lower Cystatin C levels: Kawasaki disease Bladder cancer Genetics Hypothyroidism Neuromyelitis Optica spectrum disorders Low levels of Cystatin C can also be the indicator of the onset of the following conditions: Hardening of the arteries Aneurysms Alzheimer's disease

Any variation from the normal range of the cystatin c test indicates renal function and glomerular filtration rate. Your doctor can use a cystatin C test to determine your GFR (glomerular filtration rate). The glomeruli, which are groupings of microscopic blood capillaries in the kidneys, filter cystatin C out of the blood. Cystatin C levels in the blood suggest the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The rate at which the renal fluid is filtered is measured as GFR. A decrease in kidney function lowers GFR and raises cystatin C and other proteins and components in the blood, such as creatinine and urea. Because the kidneys are unable to filter the blood adequately, the levels of these chemicals rise. Alternatively, improved kidney function leads to increased GFR, which causes levels of cystatin C, creatinine, and urea to decrease due to the kidneys' ability to effectively remove them from the blood. Cystatin C levels are typically elevated due to underlying medical disorders such as kidney disease, HIV, diabetes, high blood pressure, or cancer. While high Cystatin C levels are hazardous for the kidneys, low Cystatin C levels are just as dangerous because they signal a higher risk of Alzheimer's and artery stiffening. A Cystatin C test is necessary since it clearly reports the amount of Cystatin C in your body and whether any medication is required to get it back into normal range.

Any variation from the normal range of the cystatin c test indicates renal function and glomerular filtration rate. Your doctor can use a cystatin C test to determine your GFR (glomerular filtration rate). The glomeruli, which are groupings of microscopic blood capillaries in the kidneys, filter cystatin C out of the blood. Cystatin C levels in the blood suggest the glomerular filtration rate (GFR). The rate at which the renal fluid is filtered is measured as GFR. A decrease in kidney function lowers GFR and raises cystatin C and other proteins and components in the blood, such as creatinine and urea. Because the kidneys are unable to filter the blood adequately, the levels of these chemicals rise. Alternatively, improved kidney function leads to increased GFR, which causes levels of cystatin C, creatinine, and urea to decrease due to the kidneys' ability to effectively remove them from the blood. Cystatin C levels are typically elevated due to underlying medical disorders such as kidney disease, HIV, diabetes, high blood pressure, or cancer. While high Cystatin C levels are hazardous for the kidneys, low Cystatin C levels are just as dangerous because they signal a higher risk of Alzheimer's and artery stiffening. A Cystatin C test is necessary since it clearly reports the amount of Cystatin C in your body and whether any medication is required to get it back into normal range. The Cystatin C test analyzes the protein levels in the blood. The cystatin c test is appropriate for both males and females, as well as adults and children. How Often Should You Have a Cystatin C Test? When your healthcare professional detects renal impairment and serum creatinine levels are unreliable, a Cystatin C test should be performed. Patients with chronic renal disease may also benefit from this test at regular intervals.