Creat24hurmcnc
A test that measures the amount of creatinine in your urine over a 24-hour period to assess kidney function.
{"Creatinine is a waste product filtered from blood by kidneys","24-hour collection provides a more accurate assessment than a single urine sample","Results help evaluate kidney function and detect kidney disease","The test measures how much creatinine your kidneys filter and excrete","It can also help estimate your muscle mass"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 20624-3
- Short code
- CRU24
- Synonyms
- Creat 24h Ur-mCnc
- Category
- kidney
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- 24-hour urine collection container with or without preservative (toluene or thymol)
- Units
- not specified
- Ref low
- 20
- Ref high
- 300
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 18 years
- Method
- Spectrophotometric (Jaffe reaction or enzymatic method)
- CPT
- 82570
- SNOMED
- 271717005
- Specimen volume
- Complete 24-hour urine collection (typically 1000-2000 mL, record exact volume)
- Stability
- Refrigerated (2-8°C): up to 7 days; Room temperature (15-25°C): up to 3 days; Frozen (-20°C): up to 30 days
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 24–48 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
The 24-hour urine creatinine test measures the amount of creatinine in your urine over a 24-hour period. Creatinine is a waste product produced by your muscles during normal muscle breakdown. Your kidneys filter creatinine from your blood and excrete it in urine. This test helps doctors evaluate how well your kidneys are functioning.
How is the test performed?
You will receive a special container for collecting all urine over 24 hours. Start by urinating into the toilet when you wake up, then note the time. For the next 24 hours, collect all urine in the provided container. Keep the container refrigerated or in a cool place. At the end of 24 hours, urinate one last time and add this to the container. Return the container to your healthcare provider as instructed.
What do the results mean?
Normal creatinine clearance varies based on age, gender, and muscle mass. Higher than expected creatinine in urine generally indicates good kidney function, while lower levels may suggest kidney problems. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your individual situation, including other blood and urine tests.
Reference range
20-300 mg/dLnot specified
Complete 24-hour urine collection required (discard first morning void; collect all urine for next 24 h including next morning void). No fasting needed. Avoid strenuous exercise and high meat intake during collection.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Frequently asked questions
Does diet affect urine creatinine levels?
Should I avoid exercise before the test?
What happens if I miss a urine sample during collection?
Are there any risks to this test?
Sources
- 1MedlinePlus - CreatinineSource
- 2
- 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