The Creatinine Clearance test contains 1 test with 8 biomarkers.
Description: A creatinine clearance test measures levels of creatinine in both blood (serum) and urine to assess the kidney function and how the volume of blood that is being filtered.
Also Known As: CRCL Test, CCT Test
Collection Method: Blood Draw and Urine Collection
Specimen Type: Serum and Urine
Test Preparation: No preparation required
When is a Creatinine Clearance test ordered?
When a doctor wants to assess a patient's kidneys' capacity for filtration, they may order a creatinine clearance test. When a person, for instance, exhibits elevated blood creatinine concentrations on a typical chemical panel or protein in the urine on a typical urinalysis, it may be ordered as a follow-up test. When there is a suspicion of a kidney ailment due to certain signs and symptoms, it could be ordered.
These are some warning signs and symptoms of renal issues:
- Swelling or puffiness, especially in the face, wrists, abdomen, thighs, or ankles or around the eyes
- Foamy, bloody, or coffee-colored urine
- a reduction in the urine's volume
- problems urinating, such as a burning sensation or an unusual discharge, or a change in frequency, particularly at night
- discomfort in the middle of the back, below the ribs, and next to the kidneys
- elevated blood pressure
- pee with blood or protein in it
When it is known that a person has a renal problem or reduced blood supply to the kidneys as a result of a condition like congestive heart failure, the creatinine clearance may also be ordered on a regular basis.
What does a Creatinine Clearance test check for?
Muscles release creatinine as a waste product after breaking down a substance called creatine. The kidneys filter creatinine from the blood and release it into the urine. A creatinine clearance test assesses the levels of creatinine in both a blood sample and a urine sample from a 24-hour urine collection. The amount of creatinine that has been eliminated from the blood and excreted in the urine is determined using the findings. This calculation enables a broad assessment of the volume of blood that the kidneys filter over the course of a 24-hour period.
Creatinine production in the body is largely consistent for a person and is influenced by muscle mass. The kidneys' capacity to filter the blood as well as the rate at which blood is transported to the kidneys determine how much creatinine is excreted from the blood.
The glomerular filtration rate is the measure of how much blood the kidneys filter each minute. Less creatinine will be excreted in the urine and released into the blood in the presence of renal disease or damage, or if blood circulation is impeded. As a result, the GFR will fall.
GFR is challenging to directly measure. As a result, it is advised to compute estimated GFR by testing the blood's creatinine level and plugging the data into an algorithm. the formula that accounts for a number of variables, including the test subject's age, gender, and race.
Calculating creatinine clearance is an additional, less popular method of estimating GFR. There are various ways to calculate creatinine clearance. The measurement of the creatinine concentration in a blood sample taken just before or after the urine collection, the creatinine concentration in a 24-hour urine sample, and the 24-hour urine volume are all included. Some estimates also incorporate a correction factor that takes into consideration a person's body surface area because the amount of creatinine generated is dependent on muscle mass.
Lab tests often ordered with a Creatinine Clearance test:
- Creatinine
- eGFR
- Cystatin C
- Urinalysis
- Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN)
- Microalbumin
Conditions where a Creatinine Clearance test is recommended:
- Congestive Heart Failure
- Kidney Disease
How does my health care provider use a Creatinine Clearance test?
Kidney dysfunction may be identified and diagnosed with a creatinine clearance test. It could be applied as a follow-up to abnormal blood creatinine test and estimated glomerular filtration rate results.
When congestive heart failure is present, as might happen, a creatinine clearance may also be utilized to identify the existence of decreased blood flow to the kidneys.
The creatinine clearance test may be prescribed in cases of known chronic renal disease or congestive heart failure in order to track the development of the condition and gauge its severity. Moreover, it can be utilized to assist decide whether and when kidney dialysis could be required.
What do my Creatinine Clearance test results mean?
The presence of renal disease or other diseases that can impair kidney function may be indicated by a reduced creatinine clearance. They may consist of:
- For instance, infections or autoimmune illnesses can cause kidney blood vessels to enlarge or become damaged.
- infection of the kidneys with bacteria
- death of kidney cells brought on by chemicals or medications, for instance, in the tiny tubes of the kidneys
- Urinary tract obstruction can be brought on by prostate disease, kidney stones, or other conditions.
- reduced kidney blood flow brought on by shock, dehydration, congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis, or diabetes-related problems.
Although this test isn't commonly used to track these disorders, elevated creatinine clearance rates can occasionally be noticed during pregnancy, exercise, and with meals heavy in meat.
We advise having your results reviewed by a licensed medical healthcare professional for proper interpretation of your results.
