What does it mean when cystatin C is high?
If the level of cystatin C in your blood is too high, it may mean that your kidneys are not working well. A blood test for cystatin C can help your healthcare provider find your GFR (glomerular filtration rate). Your GFR number helps your healthcare provider know how well your kidneys are working.
What is normal cystatin C range?
The range for cystatin C is 0.67-6.15 mg/l, 0.66-7.23 mg/dl for creatinine and 8.9-186.3 l/day (6.2-129.4 ml/min) for creatinine clearance. Serum cystatin C levels started to increase over normal range when creatinine clearance fell below 135.9 l/day (94.4 ml/min), while serum creatinine remained within normal ranges.
What is the importance of cystatin C as a marker for GFR?
Cystatin C is effectively filtered by the glomerulus and fully reabsorbed and broken down by the renal tubules for recycling. A raised level of serum or plasma cystatin C correlates closely with the GFR. Cystatin C therefore acts as an excellent indicator of reduced kidney function.
What is the function of cystatin C?
Cystatin C or cystatin 3 (formerly gamma trace, post-gamma-globulin, or neuroendocrine basic polypeptide), a protein encoded by the CST3 gene, is mainly used as a biomarker of kidney function. Recently, it has been studied for its role in predicting new-onset or deteriorating cardiovascular disease.
When do you use cystatin C vs creatinine?
Recent guidelines suggest the use of cystatin C to validate the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease in patients who are currently considered to have chronic kidney disease solely on the basis of a creatinine-based eGFR of less than 60 ml per minute per 1.73 m2, without albuminuria or other markers of kidney damage.
What is the difference between cystatin C and creatinine?
What are the advantages of cystatin C versus creatinine? Cystatin C is made by all nucleated cells, not just muscle. As a result, cystatin C production varies less than creatinine production between individuals, and blood concentrations of cystatin C are fairly similar between individuals who have the same GFR.
What is cystatin C?
What is cystatin C? Cystatin C is a protein that is produced by the cells in your body. When kidneys are working well, they keep the level of cystatin C in your blood just right. If the level of cystatin C in your blood is too high, it may mean that your kidneys are not working well.
What is the normal range of cystatin C?
The normal range of cystatin C is around 0.62 – 1.15 mg/L. Values can vary between laboratories. Generally, higher cystatin C levels point to poor kidney function [ 7 ].
What does cystatin tell us about kidney function?
That is why this molecule can tell us how well our kidneys are working. Because kidney function is tightly interwoven with the function of other organs in the body, studies suggest that higher cystatin may also predict a higher risk of heart disease, cognitive dysfunction, and all-cause mortality [ 9, 10, 11 ].
What causes cystatin C levels to be high?
The most common cause of high cystatin C levels is impaired kidney function, which can happen in various diseases, or a result of drugs such as chemotherapeutics [ 14, 15, 28 ]. Other factors that can slightly increase cystatin C include: