Urinary Creatinine

The Urinary Creatinine test measures the levels of creatinine in your urine sample. This test is an important parameter to evaluate kidney health, diagnose kidney diseases, and monitor ongoing treatment for kidney-related diseases.

Creatinine is a waste product produced from the normal breakdown of muscles. It is filtered from the blood by the kidneys and excreted into the urine at a relatively constant rate. The urine creatinine test provides information about the kidneys' ability to filter waste products effectively. Abnormal levels of creatinine in the urine may indicate kidney dysfunction or impaired kidney function.

Consider getting tested with the Urinary Creatinine test if you show symptoms suggestive of kidney disease, such as fatigue, dry and itchy skin, poor appetite, swelling in your feet or ankles, puffiness around your eyes, frequent urination, foamy or bloody urine, painful urination, muscle cramps, difficulty sleeping, etc. This test may also be suggested if you have risk factors for developing kidney disease, such as obesity, heart problems, or a family history of kidney disease. It is also advised as a regular screening test for patients suffering from diabetes and high blood pressure as they are more prone to develop kidney problems.

Before the test, drink enough water to be able to submit a urine sample. A mid-stream urine sample should be collected into a sterile container provided by the sample collection professional. You may also be asked to stop taking certain medications and supplements as they may affect your test results. Women are advised not to give the sample during the menstrual period unless advised by the doctor, as that can interfere with certain test results.

Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between different labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. Narrate your complete medical history to help them correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The results will help the doctor determine your medical condition, make recommendations for lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise, decide whether or not medication will be required to manage your kidney health and formulate an overall treatment plan.