What does serum creatinine measure

They can cause a lot of pain and discomfort. In this article, we look at six natural…. What is the normal range for a creatinine blood test? Medically reviewed by Judith Marcin, M. Purpose Procedure Results Causes for high levels Causes for low levels Takeaway The creatinine blood test measures the level of creatinine in the blood. What is the purpose of the test? Share on Pinterest A creatinine blood test measures kidney function.

What does the test involve? What do low or high results mean? Causes for high levels. Share on Pinterest Intense exercise can result in increased creatinine levels. Causes for low levels. Share on Pinterest Increased urine production during pregnancy can cause low creatinine levels.

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What you should know about dehydration. High-potassium foods to avoid with kidney disease. Medically reviewed by Natalie Olsen, R. Your doctor can also measure creatinine with a urine test. A lab will test your blood sample to see how much creatinine is in your blood. Then, your doctor will share the test results with you. Normal creatinine levels vary based on your sex, age and amount of muscle. In general, a normal level is:.

A higher than normal serum creatinine result may mean that your kidneys are not working well. Your doctor will compare your serum creatinine results with other test results, such as your blood urea nitrogen BUN , to decide on next steps. In particular, the result may indicate a complication of diabetes called diabetic nephropathy, or diabetic kidney disease. Your doctor or other health care provider will discuss the results of a creatinine test with you and help you understand what the information means for a diagnosis or treatment plan.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Sections for Creatinine tests About. Overview A creatinine test is a measure of how well your kidneys are performing their job of filtering waste from your blood.

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