Cystatin C Blood Test – Kidney Screening

Our Cystatin C blood test is a modern marker used to assess kidney function, often providing a more sensitive picture than creatinine alone — particularly in early kidney changes.

This in-store test uses high-quality diagnostic equipment with fast, reliable results delivered during your appointment.

What Is Cystatin C?

Cystatin C is a protein produced by all nucleated cells in the body and filtered out of the blood by the kidneys.

Because its production is relatively constant, cystatin C can be a helpful marker of kidney filtration (GFR), often detecting subtle changes earlier than traditional kidney markers.

What Can a Cystatin C Test Help With?

• Early detection of reduced kidney function
• Monitoring kidney health over time
• Supporting cardiovascular risk assessment
• Medication safety and review
• Providing additional clarity when creatinine results are borderline

About the Cystatin C Blood Test

This is a simple finger-prick blood test carried out in-store by our trained pharmacy team.

• ✔ No GP referral required
• ✔ Suitable for adults aged 18+
• ✔ No fasting required
• ✔ Uses validated KP Pharma testing equipment

Who Might Consider This Test?

A cystatin C test may be useful if you:

• Have high blood pressure or diabetes
• Are monitoring long-term conditions
• Take medicines that may affect kidney function
• Have a family history of kidney disease
• Want a proactive check of kidney health

Understanding Your Result

Your result will be explained during your appointment, including how it compares with expected reference ranges.

Depending on your result, we may suggest:

• Repeat testing to monitor trends
• Additional kidney or cardiovascular tests
• Sharing results with your GP

This test does not diagnose kidney disease on its own but can be an important part of early screening and monitoring.

Why Test at The Health Dispensary?

• ✔ Convenient in-store testing
• ✔ Experienced pharmacy team
• ✔ Clear, supportive explanations
• ✔ Ability to combine with blood pressure or diabetes checks

Book Your Cystatin C Blood Test

FAQs

How is cystatin C different from creatinine?

Cystatin C is less affected by muscle mass, age, or diet and may identify early changes in kidney function more reliably in some people.

Do I need to fast before the test?

No fasting is required.

Can this diagnose kidney disease?

No single test can diagnose kidney disease on its own. Results should be considered alongside symptoms, medical history, and other tests.

Can this be repeated?

Yes — cystatin C is useful for monitoring kidney function trends over time.