Serum or Plasma Creatinine (Standard Method)
This test measures the level of creatinine, a waste product from muscle metabolism that your kidneys filter out of your blood. It helps assess kidney function.
["A creatinine test checks how well your kidneys are working by measuring waste in your blood."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 107690-0
- Short code
- Goat meat IgG Qn IA
- Synonyms
- Goat meat IgG Qn IA
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- ia
- CPT
- 82784
- 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 This Test Matters
Creatinine levels can indicate how well your kidneys are filtering blood. High levels may suggest kidney damage or disease, while low levels could indicate dehydration or muscle loss. This test is often used alongside other kidney function tests to diagnose and monitor conditions like chronic kidney disease.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is usually needed, but you may be asked to fast for a few hours before the test if it’s part of a larger blood draw. Stay hydrated unless instructed otherwise by your healthcare provider.
How the Test Works
A small blood sample is taken from a vein, usually in your arm. The sample is sent to a lab where it’s analyzed to measure creatinine concentration using a standard method, often automated chemistry techniques.
Common Causes of Abnormal Results
Elevated creatinine levels may be caused by reduced kidney function, dehydration, severe muscle injury, or certain medications. Low levels might be due to dehydration, low muscle mass, or overhydration.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Creatinine levels are a key marker for kidney function, helping doctors diagnose and manage conditions like chronic kidney disease, acute kidney injury, or other metabolic disorders. It’s often used alongside other tests like blood urea nitrogen (BUN) to assess kidney health.
Short name
Creatinine
Frequently asked questions
What does a high creatinine level mean?
What should I do if my creatinine level is low?
Does diet affect creatinine levels?
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