Is cystatin C 1.2 mg/L severe?

Cystatin C at 1.2 mg/L falls within the normal range, and there is no indication of any serious condition. The detailed analysis is as follows:

Cystatin C is one of the commonly used clinical indicators for assessing kidney function. It is a metabolic byproduct of cysteine in the body and is primarily excreted through the kidneys. Its levels are generally unaffected by factors such as diet, emotional state, or age. Measuring cystatin C levels can assist in diagnosing conditions such as glomerular diseases, chronic diabetic nephropathy, and renal cell carcinoma. The normal reference range for cystatin C is 0.6–2.5 mg/L. Given this range, a level of 1.2 mg/L is considered normal, requiring no special intervention and posing no serious concern.

During testing, if cystatin C levels exceed 2.5 mg/L, this primarily indicates an abnormal result. Elevated values may result from intense physical exercise, which accelerates kidney metabolism and temporarily increases the reading, or they may be caused by underlying medical conditions such as glomerular disease or diabetic nephropathy. In such cases, it is advisable to seek medical evaluation. If the elevation is due to strenuous exercise, no specific treatment is necessary. However, if it results from pathological causes, treatment should be directed at the underlying condition.