Serum Creatinine (Creatinine Level)
This test measures the amount of creatinine, a waste product from muscle metabolism, in your blood. It helps assess how well your kidneys are filtering blood.
["Your kidneys filter waste from your blood, and creatinine is one key marker of kidney function."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 72281-9
- Short code
- Ds INR range/Ds INR det Patient-Rto
- Synonyms
- Ds INR range/Ds INR det Patient-Rto
- Category
- coagulation
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 0.8
- Ref high
- 1.2
- Critical range
- — – 5 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 85610
- SNOMED
- 396252006
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why Is This Test Done?
Doctors may order this test to check for kidney problems, monitor kidney disease progression, or evaluate how well your kidneys are working after treatment for conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes.
What Does a Result Mean?
Higher than expected levels may suggest kidney damage or disease, while lower levels could indicate dehydration or muscle loss. Your doctor will interpret results in the context of your overall health.
How Is the Test Performed?
A blood sample is taken from a vein, usually in your arm. The sample is sent to a lab where it is analyzed to measure creatinine levels.
What Can Affect Results?
Factors like dehydration, recent exercise, or certain medications can temporarily change creatinine levels. Also, conditions like muscle disorders or liver disease may influence results.
Reference range
INR: 0.8-1.2 (warfarin: 2.0-3.0)N/A
Inform your healthcare provider if you are taking blood thinners. No special preparation required.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
This test is crucial for diagnosing and managing kidney-related conditions. Elevated creatinine levels often indicate impaired kidney function, prompting further evaluation or treatment adjustments. It’s also used to monitor chronic kidney disease, assess kidney function before surgeries, or evaluate response to treatments for conditions affecting the kidneys.
Short name
Creatinine
Frequently asked questions
Why might my creatinine level be higher than expected?
Could my diet affect my creatinine levels?
What if my creatinine level is very low?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 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