Serum Creatinine (with optional 24-hour urine collection for creatinine clearance calculation)
This test measures the amount of creatinine, a waste product from muscle metabolism, in your blood or urine. It helps assess how well your kidneys are filtering blood.
["A creatinine test helps check kidney function and identify potential kidney problems early."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 23687-7
- Short code
- CCV-AB
- Synonyms
- CCV Ab Ser Ql IF
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST) or red-top vacutainer tube
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA)
- CPT
- 86658
- SNOMED
- 31153008
- Specimen volume
- 1-2 mL of serum
- Stability
- Stable for 7 days at 2-8°C; for extended storage, freeze at -20°C or below for up to 6 months; avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Is Done
Doctors order a creatinine test to monitor kidney health, especially if you have symptoms like swelling, fatigue, or changes in urine output. It may also be used before surgeries, during pregnancy, or if you have conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure that put your kidneys at risk.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is needed for a blood test. For a 24-hour urine test, collect all urine over 24 hours (starting after morning pee) in a container. Drink normal fluids unless instructed otherwise.
What Happens During the Test
A blood sample is taken from your arm, or a urine sample is collected. The lab analyzes the sample using an automated method to measure creatinine levels.
What the Results Mean
Results are compared to a general reference range, but exact values depend on lab methods. High levels may suggest kidney problems, while low levels could indicate muscle loss or liver disease.
Reference range
Negative: No antibodies detected; Positive: Antibodies detected at a titer of 1:10 or greaterN/A
No special patient preparation required. Fasting is not necessary for this serological test
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Creatinine levels are a key indicator of kidney function. Elevated levels often signal impaired kidney filtration, which can lead to serious conditions like chronic kidney disease (CKD). It’s also used to calculate creatinine clearance—a measure of kidney function when combined with urine tests. Early detection helps manage conditions like diabetes or hypertension and guides treatment decisions.
Short name
Creatinine Level
Frequently asked questions
What causes creatinine levels to be high?
What causes creatinine levels to be low?
Can diet affect creatinine levels?
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