Blood tests & health checks
Kidney screening
Cystatin C, used to estimate how well your kidneys are filtering
Cystatin CFinger prickResults in about 5 minutes
Cystatin C is a protein cleared by the kidneys, and is used to estimate your eGFR. It is more reliable than creatinine in older adults, people with low muscle mass and anyone very muscular, because it does not depend on how much muscle you carry.
Who it is for
- Anyone with diabetes or high blood pressure, the two commonest causes of kidney disease
- People on long-term medication that the kidneys clear
- Anyone with a family history of kidney disease
Getting ready
Drink normally beforehand, but skip a heavy protein meal on the day
Also called
Renal, eGFR, Kidney function
What happens next
Results in about 5 minutes. The pharmacist goes through what the number means with you, and tells you plainly if it is something to take to your GP