What does serum cystatin measurement test for?

Under normal circumstances, serum cystatin in medical terms refers to cystatin C, which is used to assess glomerular filtration function. The specific analysis is as follows:

Cystatin C is one of the important methods for evaluating kidney function and serves as an excellent endogenous marker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), accurately reflecting the degree of kidney damage. Elevated levels of cystatin C indicate reduced renal excretory function, suggesting either a decreased glomerular filtration rate or the presence of tubular lesions. Significantly increased cystatin C levels indicate impaired kidney function. It should be noted that cystatin C testing usually requires fasting, and the results can be influenced by various factors such as obesity, smoking, age, and other underlying diseases. Therefore, results should be interpreted through comprehensive analysis in conjunction with clinical symptoms and other diagnostic tests.

If a patient's cystatin C test results are abnormal, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation at a hospital to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment.