Creatinine Test: Purpose, Normal Range & Cost [2024]
The creatinine test, also referred to as the serum creatinine test, is a simple blood test used to evaluate kidney function and overall health. It measures the level of creatinine, a waste product, in your blood or urine. Abnormal levels, whether too high or too low, can indicate kidney problems or other health concerns. The test is affordable, with the creatinine test price ranging between Rs 100 and Rs 200 in India.
What is a Creatinine Test?
A creatinine test checks the level of creatinine in your blood or urine to assess kidney health. Creatinine is a waste product that your kidneys filter out of the blood. This test helps diagnose kidney problems and monitor their function. It is also part of routine health checkups and is used to evaluate conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Test Details in Brief
| Also Known As | Creatinine test, Serum creatinine test, creatinine blood test, urea creatinine test |
| Purpose | Kidney function, diabetes and general health checkup |
| Preparation | No special preparation is required |
| Fasting | No |
| Sample Type | Blood serum |
| Reporting Time | 8 to 24 Hrs. |
| Cost | Rs. 100 to Rs. 200 |
Creatinine Test Price
The creatinine test is affordable, usually its cost ranges from Rs 100 to Rs 200. However, doctors often recommend a kidney function test (KFT), which includes creatinine, urea, and uric acid tests. The cost of a KFT test typically ranges from Rs 400 to Rs 700.
Cost At Popular Labs:
| Name of Lab | Test Price |
|---|---|
| Dr Lal Path labs | Rs 150 ( City-based ) |
| Thyrocare | Rs 200 |
| Metropolis Healthcare | Rs 180 ( City-based ) |
| SRL Diagnostics | Rs 200 |
Creatinine Test Cost in different cities
The creatinine test cost depends upon diagnostic centre, city, home collection and sample type. The below table list the prices in some major cities. You can search the price in your city by searching for the test at bookmerilab.com.
Why Is a Creatinine Test Recommended?
The primary purpose of the test is the evaluation of kidney health. A doctor may recommend it for the following reasons.
- In case you exibit common symptoms of a high creatinine level such as
- Swelling in body
- Feeling of tiredness
- Loss of appetite
- Itching
- Nausea
- Change in frequency of urinating
- Diagnose kidney disease for
- Diabetic patient
- High blood pressure
- Other conditions that compromise the health of the kidney
- Monitor the progress of medication for kidney disease
- To track the functioning of a kidney after transplant
- To look for any side effects of drugs that affect the function of the kidney
As kidneys are essential organs in our body and their proper functioning is vital for a healthy body, this test is prevalent for different medical conditions & general health checkups.
Urea creatinine test
Urea test along with creatinine level check for normal functioning of Kidney. A blood urea nitrogen test usually accompanies the creatinine test.
Creatinine test types and methods
Depending on the doctor’s advice, a diagnostic centre may use a blood or urine sample for the test. The test is conducted on serum in the blood. Thus, it is also known as the creatinine serum test. Below is the list of different popular test types and methods with their purpose:
Creatinine blood test
It is the most common blood test. It is also known as the serum creatinine test.
Creatinine Urine test
Creatinine can be measured in a sample of urine. An early morning urine sample is preferable.
Creatinine clearance test
It is a urine test that measures the kidney capacity for creatinine clearance from the urine. This test requires the urine sample from a 24 hours window. In this case, you need to collect urine over 24 hours and give a sample for testing. This test is often done along with serum creatinine tests.
Procedure
The procedure of creatinine blood test and creatinine urine test are as follows –
Procedure of Creatinine blood test
A blood sample is drawn by puncturing the veins in the arms using a small needle. The sample is collected in a test tube or a vial and sent to the lab. The procedure takes a few minutes.
Procedure of Creatinine urine test
The technician will provide you with a clean, sterilized container to collect the urine over 24 hours. When you start collecting the urine, make sure to discard the morning urine. In the next 24 hours, save the urine in the container. Keep the container in a cool place and send it to the laboratory as and when instructed.
Preparation
There is no preparation required for a blood test, and you can have your meal before and after the test. Your healthcare provider will inform you if any special preparation is needed.
For creatinine levels in the urine, one needs to collect urine over 24 hours in a sterilized container.
Side effects
There are no side effects except a slight pain or bruise at the site where the needle is injected.
Test result
The creatinine test is prepared in 8-24 hours.
A high level of creatinine in blood indicates any of the following-
- Blockage in the urinary tract
- Cardiac problem
- Autoimmune diseases
- Infection in the kidneys
- Diabetic complications
The creatinine level might decrease in the following four situations
- During pregnancy
- Excessive workout
- Certain medications
- consumption red meat rich diet
In case, your test results indicate any abnormality, it is advisable to consult a doctor.
Normal Range
Reference normal range for creatinine test is
| Test Name | Normal Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Creatinine Serum | 0.7-1.3 | mg/dL |
| Creatinine, Random Urine | 24-392 | mg/dL |
You can download a sample report pdf from here.
Bookmerilab provides Creatinine test through its lab partners in more than 400 cities of India. You can either visit a diagnostic centre nearby or book a free home sample collection for the test.
Most of the health checkup packages also include it along with other important parameters for Kidney and general body assessment.
The normal range for serum creatinine levels is 0.7 to 1.3 mg/dL, varying slightly based on age, gender, and muscle mass.
High creatinine levels may indicate kidney dysfunction, urinary tract blockages, infections, or health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure affecting kidney health.
A creatinine blood test measures creatinine in the bloodstream, while a creatinine urine test evaluates kidney function using creatinine levels in a urine sample.
No, fasting is not required for a serum creatinine test, and you can eat or drink as usual unless your doctor advises otherwise.
Creatinine test results are typically available within 8 to 24 hours, depending on the diagnostic lab and testing method.
The test has minimal side effects, such as a slight bruise or pain at the blood draw site, which usually resolves quickly.
Yes, the creatinine test is a key component of a kidney function test (KFT), often paired with urea and uric acid tests.
₹106 ₹140
Creatinine Test
Dr Bhumika Rana
Dr Bhumika Rana is a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery (B.A.M.S.). Earlier She was an Operation Specialist at AIIMS Delhi & a Medical officer with the National health mission.
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