The Creatinine – Serum test measures the level of creatinine in the blood. Creatinine is a waste product produced by muscle metabolism and excreted by the kidneys. This test is a reliable indicator of kidney function and efficiency.
Purpose of the Test:
•Assess kidney function: Helps detect kidney diseases or dysfunction.
•Monitor chronic conditions: Tracks kidney health in individuals with diabetes, hypertension, or chronic kidney disease (CKD).
•Evaluate treatment effectiveness: Assesses the impact of medications or therapies on kidney function.
•Aid in calculating eGFR: Used to estimate the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), a measure of how well the kidneys filter blood.
Conditions Indicated by Abnormal Levels:
•Elevated Creatinine Levels:
•Chronic kidney disease (CKD) or acute kidney injury.
•Dehydration.
•Obstruction in the urinary tract (e.g., kidney stones).
•Muscle injuries or excessive exercise.
•Low Creatinine Levels:
•Decreased muscle mass (e.g., aging or malnutrition).
•Pregnancy.
Key Notes:
•Fasting is not usually required for this test, but follow your doctor’s instructions.
•Abnormal levels may require follow-up tests like urine creatinine or imaging studies for a comprehensive assessment.
•Creatinine levels are often part of a Kidney Function Test (KFT) panel.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.