Serum or Plasma Creatinine Concentration (Substance 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 and waste removal depend on this test."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 105036-8
- Short code
- VIM4
- Synonyms
- blaVIM-4 Islt/Spm Ql
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Sterile transport container or bacterial culture transport medium; for serum samples, serum separator tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- molgen
- CPT
- 87798 (unlisted amplified probe technique)
- SNOMED
- 122451000146107
- Specimen volume
- 1-2 mL serum; minimum 0.5 mL
- Stability
- Serum stable at 2-8°C for 7 days; frozen at -70°C for prolonged storage. Isolated bacterial colonies stable on appropriate transport media per laboratory protocol.
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
Why Is This Test Done?
Your doctor may order this test to check for kidney problems, monitor kidney disease, or evaluate how well medications are being processed by your kidneys. It can also help diagnose conditions like dehydration, heart failure, or muscle disorders.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is usually needed. You may be asked to fast for 8–12 hours before the test if it’s part of a larger panel, but this isn’t always required for a standalone creatinine test. Drink plenty of water the day before if you’re dehydrated.
How the Test Works
A blood sample is drawn from a vein in your arm. The lab then measures the creatinine level using a specialized test that detects its presence in the serum or plasma.
What the Results Mean
Higher-than-normal levels may indicate kidney problems, poor kidney function, or conditions that increase muscle breakdown. Lower-than-normal levels could suggest dehydration or overhydration. Your doctor will interpret results in relation to your overall health.
Reference range
Negative (blaVIM-4 gene not detected)N/A
No special patient preparation required. Specimen should be collected prior to initiation of antimicrobial therapy when clinically feasible.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Elevated creatinine levels are often a key marker for kidney dysfunction, as it reflects impaired filtration. It’s commonly used alongside other tests (like blood urea nitrogen) to assess kidney health. Chronic elevation may signal chronic kidney disease (CKD), while acute spikes can indicate acute kidney injury (AKI). Doctors may also use it to monitor treatment responses or adjust medications that rely on kidney clearance.
Short name
Creatinine
Frequently asked questions
How often should I get this test?
What can affect my creatinine levels?
Do I need to do anything special after the 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