Creat24hurscnc
A test that measures the amount of creatinine in your urine over a 24-hour period to evaluate kidney function.
{"Creatinine is a waste product from muscle metabolism filtered by kidneys","This test helps assess how well your kidneys are working","You will need to collect all urine in a special container for 24 hours","Results are often compared with blood creatinine levels","Abnormal results may indicate kidney disease or muscle disorders"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 25886-3
- Short code
- U_CREAT_24H
- Synonyms
- Creat 24h Ur-sCnc
- Category
- kidney
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- Sterile graduated urine collection container (24-hour)
- Units
- not specified
- Ref low
- 8.4
- Ref high
- 13.6
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 18 years
- Method
- Jaffe colorimetric reaction (creatinine picrate method) or enzymatic method
- CPT
- 82570
- SNOMED
- 271258001
- Specimen volume
- Complete 24-hour collection (typically 1000-3000 mL, volume must be measured and recorded)
- Stability
- Room temperature: 24 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days; Frozen (-20°C): 30 days
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
The 24-hour urine creatinine test measures how much creatinine your kidneys filter out of your blood and excrete in urine over a 24-hour period. Creatinine is a waste product produced naturally by your muscles as part of normal daily activity. Healthy kidneys filter creatinine from your blood and eliminate it through urine.
How to collect the sample
For this test, you will need to collect all urine you produce over a 24-hour period. Your healthcare provider will give you a special container. On the morning of the collection day, start by urinating into the toilet (not the container). After that, every time you urinate for the next 24 hours, collect the urine in the container. Keep the container refrigerated or in a cool place. Return the complete collection to your laboratory as instructed.
What do the results mean?
Normal creatinine levels in urine vary based on factors like age, sex, and muscle mass. Higher than normal urine creatinine may indicate conditions that increase muscle breakdown. Lower than normal levels may suggest kidney problems, as the kidneys are not filtering creatinine properly. Your healthcare provider will interpret your results alongside other tests, such as blood creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).
Reference range
Male: 8.8-17.7 mmol/24 h; Female: 7.1-15.9 mmol/24 hnot specified
Complete 24-hour urine collection required (discard first morning void, collect all urine for next 24 hours including final morning void); no fasting needed but avoid excessive meat intake and strenuous exercise
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before this test?
Why do I need to collect urine for 24 hours?
What happens if I miss a urine sample during collection?
Can medications affect the test results?
Sources
- 1
- 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