June 25, 2026

Cystatin C Test Cost: What a Cystatin C with eGFR Test Costs Across Labs

What a cystatin C test costs across direct-to-consumer labs, with draw fees factored in.

A cystatin C test gauges kidney function and is less affected by muscle mass than creatinine, and advertised prices vary across direct-to-consumer labs. This page compares cystatin C test prices so you can find the lowest all-in cost.

What a cystatin C test costs across labs

Ordered on its own, a cystatin C test ranges from about $19.44 to $160 across direct-to-consumer labs, before a one-time draw fee. Mito members pay $19.44, with a non-member price of $27.22.

Advertised prices, June 2026. Add each lab’s draw fee for a single-test order, and confirm current pricing before ordering.

Why cystatin C prices vary so much

The test itself is standardized. Most direct-to-consumer labs send your sample to one of the same national reference labs, usually Labcorp or Quest, so the measurement is identical no matter who takes your order. What changes is the markup. A reseller at the high end of this range is buying the same assay a low-cost lab sells for a fraction of the price, then adding its margin, an ordering fee, or a clinical-review charge. The draw fee is separate again, and it is set by the collection site rather than the lab. That is why the all-in price for one identical cystatin C test can swing so widely.

What a cystatin C test measures

A cystatin C test measures a small protein filtered by the kidneys. Because it is not affected by diet or muscle mass the way creatinine is, it can give a more reliable estimate of kidney function (eGFR), which is why it is often used to confirm or refine a creatinine-based result. For a full reference on what the result means and where healthy levels sit, see the cystatin C biomarker guide.

Is a cheaper cystatin C test the same test?

For a standardized cystatin C test, yes. It is a defined assay run at CLIA-certified labs, so a low-cost result and an expensive one measure the same thing to the same standards. Paying more does not buy a more accurate number. What a higher price sometimes includes is a written interpretation or a clinician’s review of your result. If you only need the value, the cheapest CLIA-certified option gives you the same data. If you want help acting on it, check whether interpretation is bundled or sold separately before you compare prices.

All-in cost: test plus draw fee

Almost every lab adds a one-time draw fee on top of the cystatin C price, charged once per visit rather than per test. For a single inexpensive test that fee can be most of the bill, so compare the all-in total. If you add other markers to the same visit, that one draw fee is spread across all of them, which is where building a panel saves the most.

When should you get a cystatin C test?

People test cystatin C to check kidney function when a creatinine result is borderline or hard to interpret, in people with low or high muscle mass, or to monitor kidney health over time. It is frequently reported with an eGFR calculation.

Does insurance cover a cystatin C test?

When a doctor orders a cystatin C test for a medical reason, insurance often covers it, though some plans limit how often they will pay and you may still owe a copay or part of your deductible. The direct-to-consumer prices on this page are cash-pay and are not billed to insurance. For many people, especially on a high-deductible plan, paying out of pocket can be cheaper than the share they would owe through insurance. If you are testing for routine self-monitoring rather than to investigate symptoms, cash-pay is often the simpler and lower-cost route.

FAQs

• How much does a cystatin C test cost? On its own, a cystatin C test ranges from about $19.44 to $160 across the direct-to-consumer labs compared here, before a one-time draw fee. Mito has the lowest advertised price at $19.44 for members and $27.22 for non-members.
• Do you need to fast for a cystatin C test? No. A cystatin C test does not require fasting.
• Which cystatin C test should you order? The cystatin C with eGFR test priced here reports both the protein level and the calculated kidney function. It is often used alongside a creatinine-based eGFR for the most accurate picture.
• Where is the cheapest cystatin C test? In this comparison, Mito has the lowest advertised price. Remember to add the draw fee for a single-test order, since a low test price with a high draw fee can cost more all-in than it first looks.
• Do you need a doctor’s order for a cystatin C test? Not for the direct-to-consumer labs here. They include the test authorization, so you order online and visit a collection site without your own physician’s requisition.
• How long do cystatin C results take? Most labs post cystatin C results within one to three business days of your draw, and often the next day.

Related Reading

• How Much Does a Blood Test Cost? 29 Tests Compared
• Cystatin C: Reference Range and What It Measures

Medical Disclaimer

This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Pricing is based on publicly available information as of June 2026 and may change. Always verify current pricing directly with each provider before making a purchasing decision.