Creatinine test

The level of creatinine is used:

• for the assessment of renal function,
• in diagnosing and monitoring the treatment of renal diseases.

The test results are used for diagnosing:

• acute and chronic renal diseases,
• circulatory failure,
• monitoring arterial hypertension,
• diabetes,
• during treatment with neurotoxic substances or drugs excreted through the kidneys (dose adjustment).

Elevated creatinine levels occur in acute and chronic renal failure, as well as during improper renal function due to dehydration (mainly in the elderly). Low creatinine levels occur in the course of starvation or steroid therapies.

Creatinine test – recommendations

• An invasive test – the collection of blood into an EDTA test tube, the disinfection of skin according to the standard procedure of blood collection, putting on a tourniquet and applying pressure in the collection site following the procedure, all last a few minutes.
• The blood collection procedure takes approximately a dozen or so seconds.
• In the event of improper preparation for the blood test, the results will not be fully reliable.
• Blood should be collected in the morning.

Required preparation a few days before the test:

• Do not drink alcohol for 2 – 3 days before the test.
• Refrain from drinking coffee and tea for at least 12 hours before blood collection.
• If possible, eliminate any sources of stress.

On the day of the creatinine test:

• Patients should be on an empty stomach, which means that no meals can be consumed for about 12 hours before the test.
• They are allowed to drink a small amount of water in the morning hours, but not more than a glass.
• Where possible, the test should be performed before patients take their morning dose of medicines, unless their physician instructs otherwise.
• Before the test, patients should remain at rest for 10 – 15 minutes (in a sitting position).
• Physical exercise, including moderate effort, such as walking or climbing stairs, may alter the values of laboratory tests.

When is the creatinine test result ready?

• Test results are available within 3 working days.
• It is possible to collect them at the reception desk of any Medicover Centre.
• The results can be accessed online. To do this, you have to visit the reception desk to generate a password in the Centre of your choice.