Creaturimp
A urine creatinine test measures the amount of creatinine, a waste product, in your urine to help assess kidney function.
{"Creatinine is a waste product that muscles produce and kidneys filter out","This test helps doctors evaluate how well your kidneys are working","Abnormal creatinine levels may indicate kidney disease or damage","The test is simple, using a routine urine sample","Results are often compared to blood creatinine for a complete picture of kidney function"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 20511-2
- Short code
- U_CREAT_INT
- Synonyms
- Creat Ur-Imp
- Category
- kidney
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- Sterile urine collection container (24-hour collection requires large container with preservative or refrigerated container)
- Units
- not specified
- Ref low
- 20
- Ref high
- 300
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- Enzymatic or Jaffe colorimetric method
- CPT
- 82570
- SNOMED
- 271571001
- Specimen volume
- 10-100 mL for spot collection; complete 24-hour collection for timed specimens
- Stability
- Room temperature: 24-72 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 5-7 days; Frozen (-20°C): 30 days (avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles)
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
A urine creatinine test measures the amount of creatinine in your urine. Creatinine is a chemical waste product that comes from the normal breakdown of creatine, a substance used by muscles for energy. Healthy kidneys filter creatinine from the blood and excrete it in urine.
Why do I need this test?
Your doctor may order a urine creatinine test to: evaluate how well your kidneys are functioning, check for kidney disease or damage, monitor existing kidney conditions, or assess the accuracy of other urine tests by checking urine concentration.
How do I prepare for the test?
This test usually requires a simple urine sample. Your doctor may ask you to collect urine over a 24-hour period or provide a single sample. There's typically no special preparation needed, but follow any specific instructions from your healthcare provider. Certain medications and diets may affect results, so inform your doctor about any medications you're taking.
What do the results mean?
Normal urine creatinine levels vary based on age, gender, and muscle mass. Generally, higher urine creatinine indicates proper kidney function, while low levels may suggest kidney problems. However, results should always be interpreted by your healthcare provider in context with other tests.
Reference range
Normalnot specified
No special preparation or fasting required for random urine specimen; follow timed collection instructions if applicable
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Frequently asked questions
Is the urine creatinine test painful?
How long does it take to get results?
What can affect my urine creatinine levels?
Do I need to fast before this test?
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