Creatinine Clearance (Calculated from Serum Creatinine and Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate)
This test measures how well your kidneys filter waste products from your blood, using a calculation based on your serum creatinine level and estimated kidney function.
["Assesses kidney function by estimating how efficiently your kidneys remove waste from blood over time."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 107558-9
- Short code
- CEAD
- Synonyms
- CEA Drain-mCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Sterile, leak-proof container or red-top tube without anticoagulant; transfer to serum separator tube preferred
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0
- Ref high
- 3
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 18 years
- Method
- Immunoassay (Chemiluminescent or Electrochemiluminescent)
- CPT
- 82378
- SNOMED
- 82950-9
- Specimen volume
- 1-2 mL of drain fluid
- Stability
- Room temperature: 2 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 24 hours; Frozen (-20°C): 30 days. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Hemolysis max
- 100
- Lipemia max
- 100
- Icterus max
- 50
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Matters
Creatinine clearance helps doctors determine if your kidneys are working properly. It’s often used to check for early kidney damage or monitor kidney disease progression, especially in people with diabetes, high blood pressure, or other health conditions that can affect kidney function.
How the Test Works
Your doctor may order this test if they suspect kidney problems. Blood is drawn to measure creatinine levels, and a formula (often using height, weight, and age) is applied to estimate how much creatinine your kidneys filter daily.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is needed for this blood test. You may have a small needle inserted into your arm to draw blood, which usually causes only mild discomfort. If you’re on dialysis or have a kidney transplant, your doctor may adjust how this test is interpreted.
What the Results Mean
Results are typically reported as a number (e.g., mL/min) that reflects your kidney function. Lower than expected values may indicate kidney damage or disease, while higher values could suggest dehydration or other conditions. Your doctor will discuss these results in the context of your overall health.
Reference range
Reference values are not well-established for CEA in drain fluid; clinical interpretation should be based on serial measurements and clinical context. Non-drain serum reference: <3.0 ng/mL (non-smokers), <5.0 ng/mL (smokers).N/A
No special patient preparation required. However, inform the laboratory of any recent surgeries, infections, or inflammatory conditions that may affect CEA levels.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Short name
Creatinine Clearance
Frequently asked questions
What causes creatinine clearance to be abnormal?
How often should I get this test?
Can diet or medications affect creatinine clearance?
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 14, 2026. · Read our editorial policy