A creatinine serum test determines the amount of creatinine produced by the body. When the Creatine in your muscles breaks down, creatinine is created as a waste product. This test shows your blood’s creatinine levels and can tell your doctor how well your kidneys work.
Nephrons, which are tiny blood-filtering units, are found in abundance in each kidney. The glomeruli, a tiny group of blood vessels, are continuously filtered by the nephrons. These organs purge the blood of waste materials, extra water and other impurities. Toxins are kept in the bladder until urination when they are expelled.
One of the materials your kidneys typically remove from the body is creatinine. This is why to assess kidney function, doctors check the blood’s creatinine level. High Creatinine levels indicate that your kidneys are unhealthy and not functioning correctly.
Blood tests for creatinine are frequently conducted in conjunction with several other laboratory examinations. It consists of –
- BUN test, which measures the amount of urea nitrogen in the blood
- Basic metabolic panel (BMP)
- Full metabolic panel (CMP).
These tests are carried out to diagnose a particular disease as a part of normal checkup examinations. Additionally, it is done to check for any renal function problems.
Why is the creatinine Serum Test done?
When there are symptoms of kidney disease, your doctor might request a creatinine serum test. This test is done to evaluate your creatinine levels. These signs consist of the following:
- Exhaustion and difficulty sleeping
- Decrease in appetite
- Swelling in the face, wrists, ankles, or abdomen
- Pain in the lower back near the kidneys
- Variations in urine frequency
- High blood pressure
- Nausea
- Vomiting
Some numerous diseases or conditions can cause kidney problems, including
- Glomerulonephritis is an infection of the kidneys caused by damage to the glomeruli
- Pyelonephritis is a bacterial infection of the kidneys
- Prostate disease, such as an enlarged prostate
How do I get ready for a blood creatinine test?
It doesn’t take much planning for a blood test to measure creatinine. Fasting is not required before the test. You can and should continue to eat and drink as usual to get an accurate result.
The use of any medication or over-the-counter (OTC) prescription drugs should be disclosed to your doctor in advance. This is because some medicines can affect test results and raise your creatinine levels without harming the kidneys.
What should I anticipate from a creatinine serum test?
A small amount of blood is drawn for the creatinine blood test, which is a straightforward procedure. The doctor will first ask you to raise your sleeves so that your exposed arm is visible. The injection site is cleaned with an antiseptic. Next, they locate a vein and place a needle inside it to draw blood. A vein on the inside of the elbow is typically used. Although the test isn’t painful, you might feel a tiny prick when the needle is inserted. The doctor then covers the area with a bandage after removing the needle.
A low-risk procedure is a blood test that measures creatinine. There are some minor risks, though, like
- Fainting when exposed to blood
- Experiencing dizziness or vertigo
Once sufficient blood has been drawn, the sample is sent to a lab for evaluation. Your doctor will inform you of the results within a few days of the test.
What do the results of my creatinine serum test mean?
Creatinine is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL). More muscular people typically have higher levels of creatinine. The results could also be influenced by gender and age.
Women’s normal creatinine levels are between 0.6 and 1.1 mg/dL between 18 and 60 years old. For men, it needs to be between 0.9 and 1.3 mg/dL. The average range is essentially the same for people over 60.
Blood serum creatinine levels that are elevated indicate that the kidneys aren’t working correctly.
You might have slightly elevated or above-average serum creatinine levels as a result of the following:
- Less blood flow due to shock to the kidneys
- Congestive heart failure or diabetic complications
- A blocked urinary tract
- A high-protein diet; dehydration
- And kidney issues, such as kidney damage or infection.
Your creatinine level won’t decrease until an acute or long-term kidney injury is treated. A dialysis patient will also have lower levels due to their medical procedure.
Low creatinine levels can occur due to specific circumstances that lead to less muscle mass. However, they typically don’t raise any issues.
