Medichecks Liver & kidney

Cystatin C Blood Test

Measures cystatin C and eGFRcys as an alternative kidney-function estimate for people whose creatinine-based results may be skewed by high muscle mass or intense exercise.

  • Doctor reviewed
Sample
Blood
Collection
In-store clinic or home nurse visit or venous draw at clinic
Results in
2 days
Biomarkers
2
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Tests for
  • Cystatin C
  • eGFRcys

Test specifications

Provider
Medichecks
Sample type
blood
Collection method
in-store clinic or home nurse visit or venous draw at clinic
Turnaround time
2 days
Biomarkers tested
2
At-home test
No
Doctor reviewed
Yes
Gender focus
Both

What's tested

2 biomarkers as listed by Medichecks.

Kidney health

  • Cystatin C
  • eGFRcys

About this test

Cystatin C is a protein used, alongside the derived eGFRcys estimate, as an alternative marker of kidney function to the more commonly used creatinine-based eGFR. Because creatinine levels can be raised by high muscle mass, intense exercise or creatine supplements, which can make a creatinine-based eGFR look artificially low, a cystatin C-based estimate can give a clearer picture in those situations. This is not a general kidney health screen for everyone; it addresses a specific scenario where a prior creatinine-based result may have been misleading.

There is no comparison group set for this specific type of test, so it cannot be benchmarked against named peers. Among the 20 similarly sized liver and kidney tests we track more broadly, its £149 price is around a third above the roughly £112 median.

Clinical depth is solid for its two markers relative to comparable liver and kidney tests; value for money is the weakest area, given the above-typical price; collection convenience is limited to a clinic visit or home nurse visit, with no at-home option, though results are still back quickly within 2 days; trust signals and results and follow-up reflect Medichecks' standard facts: a Trustpilot rating of 4.5 from 2,477 reviews, UKAS ISO 15189 accredited partner labs, doctor review included as standard, and 25 years trading since 2001.

Who is it for?

Most useful if you have already had a kidney function test that came back with a low or borderline eGFR, and you have a reason to think creatinine may not reflect your kidney function accurately, such as high muscle mass, intense training or taking creatine. It is not intended as a first, general kidney check. There are no comparable named tests in our data to say whether a cheaper alternative exists.

How it works

You provide a blood sample either at an in-store clinic, with a home nurse visit, or as a venous draw at a clinic; there is no at-home finger-prick option. The fact sheet does not detail further lab processing beyond the two markers measured. Results are back within 2 days, and every test comes with a doctor's review as standard.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Gives an alternative kidney-function estimate for people whose creatinine result may be skewed by muscle mass or exercise.
  • Includes both cystatin C and the derived eGFRcys estimate.
  • Results back in 2 days despite requiring a clinic-based sample.
  • Doctor review included as standard.

Cons

  • At £149, about a third above the median for similarly sized liver and kidney tests we track.
  • No at-home collection option; requires a clinic visit or nurse visit.
  • Not intended as a general first kidney check; it addresses a specific scenario.
  • No comparable named tests in our data to check this price against.

Our editorial score

Compare Health Test Score Kidney marker for high muscle mass, priced above typical
Editorial confidence: 10.0/10

This £149 test measures cystatin C and eGFRcys, an alternative way to estimate kidney function for people whose creatinine-based results may be skewed by high muscle mass, intense training or creatine supplements. That is about a third above the roughly £112 median for similarly sized liver and kidney tests we track. You need to visit a clinic or arrange a home nurse visit, since there is no at-home option, with results back in 2 days and a doctor's review.

Score breakdown

  • Clarity and documentation 8.0/10

    The listing publishes a short description, the full biomarker list, a stated turnaround, clear collection options, the sample type; it does not state what the report looks like.

  • Clinical depth 7.9/10

    2 biomarkers, placing it in the 57th percentile of liver kidney tests we track.

  • Collection convenience 9.0/10

    A blood sample taken at home by a visiting nurse or phlebotomist; with a venous or clinic option as well; a home nurse visit is offered; results in around 2 days, in line with or faster than similar tests.

  • Results and follow-up 7.0/10

    Results are reviewed by a doctor; the provider does not describe the report format.

  • Trust signals 9.5/10

    Trustpilot 4.5 from 2,477 reviews; accredited lab (UKAS ISO 15189 partner labs); doctor review as standard; trading 25+ years.

  • Value for money 4.8/10

    £149.00 against a median of £112.00 for the 20 similarly sized liver kidney tests we track (+33%).

Calculated 13 September 2026 from the facts we hold about this test and provider, using our published scoring formula. Scores are not hand-edited.

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