Creatinine Clearance (from 24-hour urine collection)
This test measures how well your kidneys filter waste from your blood, using a 24-hour urine sample to estimate kidney function.
["A measure of kidney function that helps assess how well waste is removed from your blood over 24 hours."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 72257-9
- Short code
- Close Tme Coll+ADP + Epinep pnl Bld
- Synonyms
- Close Tme Coll+ADP + Epinep pnl Bld
- Category
- hematology
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Matters
Creatinine clearance is important because it reflects how efficiently your kidneys filter waste products like creatinine from your blood. It helps doctors determine if your kidneys are working properly, especially in people with chronic kidney disease or those on medications that affect kidney function.
How the Test Works
Your urine is collected over a full 24-hour period. The amount of creatinine in your urine and blood is measured. The test calculates how much creatinine your kidneys filter each minute by comparing the urine and blood levels.
Sample Collection
You’ll need to collect all urine for a full 24-hour period, starting after you wake up the morning of the test and ending just before you wake up the next morning. A healthcare provider will give you a clean container to store your urine samples.
Preparation
No special preparation is needed, but you should drink enough fluids to produce urine throughout the day. Avoid taking certain medications that might affect kidney function unless approved by your doctor.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Creatinine clearance is a key test for diagnosing and monitoring kidney disease. Low clearance levels may indicate reduced kidney function, while high levels could suggest overhydration or other conditions. It’s often used alongside blood tests like serum creatinine to assess kidney health.
Short name
None
Frequently asked questions
What does a creatinine clearance test tell me about my kidneys?
How often should I get this test?
Can I eat or drink anything before 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