Unlike creatinine, Cystatin C is virtually unaffected by non-renal factors including muscle mass, weight, height, age, gender, diet and drugs. This makes it particularly useful in cases where creatinine measurement is not appropriate e.g. in individuals who are obese, malnourished or who have liver disease. Cystatin C is also sensitive to changes in the ‘creatinine blind’ range, enabling the detection of early reductions in Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) and subsequent early treatment of kidney disease.
Furthermore, Cystatin C is able to detect even small changes in GFR, making it the ideal marker for dosing medication eliminated by the kidneys.
Cystatin C Features: