In essence, creatinine is a waste product. Muscles in the body utilize various energy-producing processes, and creatinine is the chemical by-product. It is then filtered out of the body through the kidneys as a part of the urine. Sometimes the kidneys are unable to process the creatinine properly. In such cases, the creatinine levels in the blood become high. A creatinine test measures the level of creatinine in your blood. It helps your doctor analyze whether your kidneys are performing well. So, your doctor may prescribe a creatinine test to evaluate your kidneys’ health and functioning. The creatinine test cost is also economical, making it a preferred method for checking kidney function.
What is the purpose of the Creatinine test?
The serum creatinine test, sometimes called the creatinine blood test, is used to evaluate the blood’s creatinine levels. It measures the effectiveness of your kidneys in eliminating waste from your blood. It is a clinical index of renal function in medical terminology. Serum creatinine levels are affected by age, sex, and body weight.
Abnormally high creatinine levels suggest that the kidneys may be damaged, failing, or malfunctioning. If creatinine levels are high, your doctor may suggest other tests like Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) or Basic Metabolic Panel (BMP). A BUN test frequently follows the creatinine test.
By modifying one’s diet and lifestyle to consume less protein, one can naturally lower their creatinine levels. The doctor will suggest a treatment plan if the results are still high.
When is a creatinine test prescribed?
The creatinine test is frequently used for many medical diseases and essential health examinations. This is because kidneys are vital organs, and their appropriate functioning is critical for a healthy body. Your doctor can prescribe a creatinine test if they suspect that your symptoms indicate high creatinine levels. Your body exhibits various symptoms that may indicate an elevated creatinine level. These include –
- Your body has swollen parts.
- You feel exhausted without a valid reason.
- Your appetite has reduced.
- You have unexplained itching.
- You are nauseous.
- You urinate more frequently.
To diagnose kidney diseases in patients who already have – your doctor may also suggest a creatinine test.
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Other ailments that can affect the kidney
The test is used to monitor the medication progress in case of pre-existing kidney diseases. It is also essential after a transplant. This test allows doctors to track the functioning of the transplanted kidney. Certain medications can affect the kidney in the long run. The creatinine test is a positive method to monitor and prevent such side effects.
Types of creatinine tests
Depending on the doctor’s recommendations, a diagnostic facility may conduct the test using a blood or urine sample. For this reason, it is also known as the creatinine serum test. The following is a list of popular test kinds and methods –
- Creatinine test using blood
- Creatinine test using urine
- Test for creatinine clearance
A urine test gauges how well the kidneys can remove creatinine from the urine. Urine from the previous 24 hours must be provided for this test. In this situation, you must collect urine over 24 hours and provide a sample for analysis. It is often done in juxtaposition with the creatinine blood test.
The normal range in a creatinine test
Creatinine levels that are higher than usual could indicate impaired renal function.
Micromoles of creatinine per liter of blood (micromoles/L) or milligrams of creatinine per deciliter of blood (mg/dL) are used to measure serum creatinine. The serum creatinine normal range is as follows:
- 0.74 to 1.35 mg/dL (65.4 to 119.3 micromoles/L) for men
- 0.59 to 1.04 mg/dL (52.2 to 91.9 micromoles/L) for women
The range differs in the case of other tests which use urine.
What do the results imply?
Creatinine levels that rise to abnormally high indicate that the kidneys are not functioning properly. It shows that they are not adequately filtering the blood. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR), used to measure kidney function, can be computed using these creatinine levels. Dehydration, illnesses affecting the muscles, and several pregnancy difficulties can all be associated with elevated creatinine levels. Creatinine levels that are lower than expected may indicate malnutrition or diseases that cause muscles to lose bulk.
Cost of creatinine test
Creatinine test cost ranges between Rs. 100 and Rs. 200. However, doctors frequently use kidney function tests (KFT), which include testing for uric acid, urea, and creatinine. A KFT test costs between Rs. 400 and Rs. 700. Additionally, creatinine test costs can vary between cities. To find out the cost in your area, contact the nearby laboratory.
Conclusion
Normal creatinine levels do not guarantee kidney health. The test cannot detect some forms of early kidney disease because moderate renal impairment cannot result in an abnormal rise in creatinine levels. It’s crucial to remember that various individual factors, including age, food, and muscle mass, might alter creatinine levels. As a result, your test should be interpreted by your doctor in light of your particular circumstances.
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