Creatinine Test

Risks :

Risks for this test are minimal, but may include slight bleeding from the blood-drawing site, fainting or feeling lightheaded after venipuncture, or hematoma (blood accumulating under the puncture site).

Preperation:

The creatinine test requires a blood sample. It is recommended that the patient be fasting (nothing to eat or drink) for at least eight hours before the test. The physician may also require that ascorbic acid (vitamin C), barbiturates, and diuretics be withheld for 24 hours.

Normal Results:

Normal values can vary from laboratory to laboratory, but are generally in the following ranges:

• Adult female: 0.5-1.1 mg/dL
• Adult male: 0.6-1.2 mg/dL
• Adolescent: 0.5-1.0 mg/dL
• Child: 0.3-0.7 mg/dL
• Infant: 0.2-0.4 mg/dL
• Newborn: 0.3-1.2 mg/dL.

Note that variations between sources for serum creatinine normal ranges are greater than for other important tests. For example, due to the greater amount of muscle mass generally present, males normally demonstrate higher creatinine levels than females. Also, because the kidney filtration rate normally increases in pregnancy, serum creatinine should be slightly less during such periods. In older patients, creatinine is reduced because of decreased muscle mass. Similarly, other patients may have creatinine levels in which muscle abnormalities must be taken into consideration, such as long-term corticosteroid therapy, high thyroid (hyperthyroidism), muscular dystrophy, or paralysis.

Abnormal Results:

Two to 4 mg/dL indicate the presence of impairment of renal function. Greater than 4 mg/dL indicates serious impairment in renal function.




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