Serum or Plasma Creatinine Concentration (Mass Concentration)
This test measures the amount of creatinine, a waste product from muscle metabolism, in your blood or plasma. It helps assess how well your kidneys are filtering blood.
["Kidney function check via blood waste product levels."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 105019-4
- Short code
- NDM1PCR
- Synonyms
- blaNDM-1 Islt/Spm Ql
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Sterile transport container or flocked swab in transport medium (e.g., Copan eSwab, Amies transport medium). For serum: red-top or serum separator tube (SST) without anticoagulant.
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- molgen
- CPT
- 87641
- SNOMED
- 416925001
- Specimen volume
- 1-2 mL of specimen (serum, plasma, or bacterial isolate). For swabs: one flocked swab in transport medium.
- Stability
- Room temperature: 24 hours. Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days. Frozen (-70°C or below): 30 days. For bacterial isolates on solid media: stable at room temperature for transport.
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–48 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Matters
Creatinine levels are a key indicator of kidney function. Your kidneys filter waste products from your blood, including creatinine. If your levels are higher than usual, it may suggest kidney problems or reduced kidney function.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is needed for this test. You may have a blood draw or urine sample collected, depending on the type of test. If it’s a blood test, you might feel a slight pinch, but it usually takes only a few minutes.
Common Causes of Abnormal Results
Elevated creatinine levels can occur if your kidneys aren’t working as well as they should, often due to conditions like dehydration, kidney disease, or blockages in the urinary tract. Lower levels may indicate overhydration or overuse of diuretics.
When to Talk to Your Doctor
If you’ve been diagnosed with kidney disease, have symptoms like swelling, fatigue, or changes in urine, or if your doctor suspects kidney issues, this test may be part of your follow-up. Persistently high or low levels should be discussed with your healthcare provider.
Reference range
Negative (blaNDM-1 gene not detected). Result reported as Detected or Not Detected.N/A
No special patient preparation required. Specimen should be collected prior to administration of antimicrobial agents when clinically feasible. Follow standard infection control precautions during specimen collection.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical Significance
Short name
Creatinine
Frequently asked questions
How often is this test done?
What does a 'normal' result mean?
Can diet or exercise affect this test?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy