Creatbldmcnc
A blood test that measures creatinine levels to evaluate how well your kidneys are functioning.
{"Creatinine is a waste product filtered from blood by healthy kidneys","Elevated creatinine levels may indicate kidney dysfunction","The test is commonly used to screen for and monitor kidney disease","Results are often interpreted alongside other kidney function markers like BUN and eGFR"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 38483-4
- Short code
- CREA
- Synonyms
- Creat Bld-mCnc
- Category
- kidney
- Sample
- whole-blood
- Container
- Serum separator tube (SST) or plain red top tube; may also be collected in lithium heparin tube
- Units
- not specified
- Ref low
- 0.59
- Ref high
- 1.35
- Critical range
- 0.5 not specified – 5 not specified
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- Jaffe reaction (colorimetric) or enzymatic method
- CPT
- 82565
- SNOMED
- 271294004
- Specimen volume
- 1-2 mL serum or plasma
- Stability
- Room temperature: 7 days; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days; Frozen (-20°C): 30 days. Protect from light.
- Hemolysis max
- 50
- Lipemia max
- 300
- Icterus max
- 20
- TAT
- 1–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
A blood creatinine test measures the amount of creatinine in your blood. Creatinine is a waste product produced by normal muscle metabolism. Healthy kidneys filter creatinine from your blood and eliminate it through urine. This test helps doctors assess how well your kidneys are performing this essential filtering function.
Why is it performed?
Your doctor may order a blood creatinine test to: check overall kidney function, screen for kidney disease, monitor existing kidney conditions, evaluate the effectiveness of kidney disease treatment, or assess kidney function before certain medical procedures or when starting medications that may affect the kidneys.
How is the test done?
A healthcare professional will draw a small blood sample from a vein in your arm using a needle. The procedure only takes a few minutes and is generally well-tolerated. You typically do not need to fast before this test, but follow any specific instructions from your healthcare provider.
Understanding your results
Normal creatinine ranges vary based on age, sex, and muscle mass. Generally, normal levels are approximately 0.7-1.3 mg/dL for men and 0.6-1.1 mg/dL for women. Higher than normal levels may suggest kidney problems, while lower levels may occur in conditions involving reduced muscle mass. Your doctor will interpret your results in context with other tests.
Reference range
0.59-1.35 mg/dL (sex-dependent: females 0.59-1.04; males 0.74-1.35)not specified
No fasting or special preparation required
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to fast before the blood creatinine test?
What can cause creatinine levels to be higher than normal?
Is the blood creatinine test painful?
How often should I have my creatinine levels checked?
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 10, 2026. · Read our editorial policy