Description
Creatinine is a waste product produced in the muscles from the decomposition creatine. Creatine is part of the cycle that produces energy needed to contract the muscles. Almost all creatinine is filtered out by the kidneys. Consequently blood levels measure of how well the kidneys are working. Also Creatinine levels serve to monitor treatment for kidney disease.
It is prescribed when doctor suspects that you are suffering from kidney dysfunction also at intervals to monitor treatment for kidney disease.
Creatinine blood test is usually ordered together with a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test to check kidney function.
Creatinine may be ordered routinely as part of a comprehensive or basic metabolic panel, when someone has non-specific health complaints, is acutely ill, and/or when a doctor suspects kidney dysfunction.
The creatinine blood test may be ordered, along with the BUN test, at regular intervals when the patient has a known kidney disorder or has a disease that may affect kidney function or be exacerbated by dysfunction.
Both may be ordered when a CT scan is planned, prior to and during certain drug therapies, and before and after dialysis to monitor the effectiveness of treatments.
Its concentration is measured by means of analysis of a blood sample drawn from the vein in the arm. Also you may be asked to collect a complete 24-hour urine sample in addition.
Purpose of the test
To measure Creatinine concentration in blood in order to know whether the kidneys are functioning correctly.
Reference range values
Female 61.88 - 114.92 mcmol/L
Male 79.56 - 123.76 mcmol/L
eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73sq.m suggests moderate kidney dysfunction.
Abnormal findings
High creatinine levels in the blood suggest diseases that affect kidney function. These include:
• damage to blood vessels in the kidneys (glomerulonephritis).
• bacterial infection of the kidneys (pyelonephritis).
• death of cells in the kidneys' small tubes (acute tubular necrosis) caused, for example, by drugs or toxins.
• prostate disease, kidney stone, or other urinary tract obstruction.
• reduced blood flow to the kidney due to shock, dehydration, congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis, or complications of diabetes.
Creatinine can increase temporarily due to muscle injury
Creatinine levels are slightly lower during pregnancy