Everything about Creatinine Clearance Blood Test
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Ragiinii Sharma
Written By Komal Daryani
on May 4, 2022
Last Edit Made By Komal Daryani
on Mar 5, 2024
What Is A Creatinine Clearance Blood Test?
Serum creatinine is another name for a creatinine blood test. It tells a physician about the proper functioning of the kidneys and the ability of the kidneys to excrete waste completely, which is called the creatinine clearance rate. The test also helps in analyzing the glomerular filtration rate, or GFR, also. GFR is directly linked with renal function.
What Is Creatinine Clearance?
Creatine is filtered by the kidney through the urine and doesn’t reabsorb any quantity of it. It means the filtered amount of blood is creatinine free in a healthy person. In a healthy young male, creatinine clearance is around 95 mL per minute, while in a healthy female it is around 120 mL per minute. It also depends on age, size, and gender. Thus, it can vary from one person to another. The test is done to check the renal functions and its ability to filter the blood. Its value goes down if the kidney function becomes worse. Hence, it can be recommended by the doctor if he suspects any renal disease.
What Is The Purpose Of The Creatinine Test?
A creatinine test is used to detect kidney ailments and it is also used to see the damage done to the kidney by other illnesses such as cardiac failure or chemotherapy medications. It also evaluates kidney function. The test is easy to perform and is also an inexpensive one. It is commonly included in routine health examinations to assess kidney function and monitor kidney disease.
As we know, creatinine is a waste product that is filtered out on a continuous basis from the body. An abnormally high level of creatinine is harmful to your health. A creatinine clearance test, therefore, checks the quantity of creatinine in the bloodstream. In fact, creatinine is a derivative of creatine that is continuously formed in our bodies.
How Does The Creatinine Test Help?
When the kidneys function normally, creatinine is excreted from the body through urine. But it cannot be excreted from the body if the kidneys are not functioning effectively.
A serum creatinine blood test detects the quantity of circulating creatinine in the blood stream. Any variation from the normal range becomes an indicator of poor renal function. It is also used to estimate the value of the glomerular filtration rate, which further helps in the estimation of kidney functions. With the help of this test, other suspected kidney disorders can be diagnosed.
Sample Requirements For The Test
Two types of samples are required for testing the creatinine clearance test: blood samples and urine samples. Both test procedures are useful markers for diagnosing kidney-related disorders.
What Has To Be Tested In A Blood Sample?
The creatinine test measures the amount of creatinine in the blood and the urine sample as well. It evaluates the efficacy and filtration rate of the kidneys. and diagnoses kidney dysfunction caused by low blood flow or infections.
But low creatine levels often don’t impose serious medical complications like high creatinine levels and they indicate low muscle mass
Procedure Of Creatinine Blood Testing
The test is completely safe and is minimally invasive. There are no side effects to the test either.
Furthermore, there is no special requirement except to stop activities or medications that may affect the results or test values. And the test can be performed at any time during the day.
During blood sample collection time, one has to wear short sleeves or sleeves that can be rolled up to withdraw the blood easily from the arm.
For complete analysis, patient age, family history, and gender are also taken into consideration before the test.
Interpretation Of The Creatinine Blood Test Results
Any fluctuation from the normal ranges signifies abnormal kidney functions. The normal ranges of serum creatinine tests are given below for each gender:
- Woman: 0.5-1.1. milligrams (mg) per deciliter (dL)
- Man: 0.6-1.3 mg/dL
Creatinine is eliminated through the kidneys or urine from the body. It can be present in urine and blood if it is not filtered well by the kidneys. And the amount of creatinine can be detected by performing blood and urine tests. The normal range of the level of creatine can vary from person to person since it depends on the size, gender, and age of the person.
A rising level of creatinine in the blood beyond normal values indicates:
- Chronic or acute kidney disease
- kidney infection such as rhabdomyolysis and UTI (urinary tract infection)
- Kidney or urinary tract obstruction
- Kidney stones
- Bladder problems
- Prostrate enlargement
- Diabetes
- Heart disease, heart failure, and high blood pressure
Symptoms Of High Creatinine In The Blood
Sometimes, elevation of creatinine levels can also be temporarily or spontaneously due to dehydration, exercise, eating a high-protein diet or red meat, pregnancy, and certain medications. Some of the main symptoms of high creatinine levels in the blood are:
- Painful and frequent urination
- Bloody or foamy urine
- Edema or swelling in feet or ankles
- Low appetite, nausea, and vomiting
- Fatigue, weakness, and muscle cramps
- Dehydration
- Itchy skin with dryness
- High blood pressure
- Mental confusion
- Puffy eyes and difficult sleeping
Who Is At Higher Risk Of High Creatinine Levels?
People who come under a high risk of high creatinine are:
- Athletes and elderly people
- People who eat a high-protein diet
- People with kidney stones and other kidney diseases are also at high risk
- People who get urinary tract infections on a regular basis
- People suffering from diabetes, high blood pressure, and other chronic kidney infections are also at higher risk.
Who Is At A Higher Risk Of Low Creatinine Levels?
People with low muscle mass, people who consume low protein diets, and bedridden people who have been suffering from chronic diseases for a long time are most affected.
Cost of Creatinine Test
The creatinine blood test is not very expensive. At Redcliffe Labs, it is available at a pocket-friendly or budget-friendly cost.
Call us today for more information or to book a slot for the creatinine test at the displayed number on the website of www.redcliffelabs.com
Disclaimer:
The blog content has been posted as a piece of information and awareness only. The content provided in this blog, or in any linked materials, are not proposed and should not be taken as medical advice. Redcliffe Labs strongly recommends users to consult with their health care providers to make any medical or health-related decision.
