Creatserplscnc
A simple blood test that measures creatinine levels to evaluate how well your kidneys are functioning.
{"Creatinine is a waste product that healthy kidneys filter from blood","Elevated levels may indicate kidney dysfunction","Results are used along with other tests to assess kidney health","Age, gender, and muscle mass can affect creatinine levels","The test requires only a small blood sample"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 14682-9
- Short code
- CREA
- Synonyms
- Creat SerPl-sCnc
- Category
- kidney
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- SST (serum separator tube) gold top or plain red top tube
- Units
- not specified
- Ref low
- 44
- Ref high
- 133
- Critical range
- 30 not specified – 442 not specified
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- Jaffé kinetic alkaline picrate method or enzymatic creatinine method
- CPT
- 82565
- SNOMED
- 271254004
- Specimen volume
- 1-5 mL of serum
- Stability
- Room temperature: 7 days; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days; Frozen (-20°C): 30 days. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
- Hemolysis max
- 50
- Lipemia max
- 300
- Icterus max
- 60
- TAT
- 1–24 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
A creatinine blood 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 healthcare providers evaluate how well your kidneys are working.
Why is it important?
Your kidneys filter waste from your blood to keep it clean and balanced. When kidneys are not working properly, creatinine can build up in your blood. Measuring creatinine levels helps doctors detect kidney problems early, monitor existing kidney disease, and track how treatments are working.
How is the test done?
A healthcare professional will draw a small sample of blood from a vein in your arm. The sample is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. You typically do not need to fast before this test, but follow any specific instructions from your healthcare provider.
Understanding your results
Normal creatinine levels vary based on age, gender, and muscle mass. Generally, higher creatinine levels in the blood suggest reduced kidney function. Your doctor will interpret your results alongside other tests, such as blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), to get a complete picture of your kidney health.
Reference range
53-97 µmol/L (female); 62-115 µmol/L (male)not specified
No fasting or special preparation required
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings2
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to prepare for the test?
What do high creatinine levels mean?
Can exercise affect my results?
How often should I have this test?
Is the test painful?
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