Creatinine Clearance

This lab test shows how well the kidneys are working. It becomes important in determining safe doses for some medications.

Creatinine Clearance Overview

Reviewed: April 22, 2014
Updated: 

Creatinine is a waste product of a specific compound found in the skeletal muscle. The creatinine clearance test helps provide information about how well the kidneys are working. The test compares the creatinine level in urine with the creatinine level in blood.

Creatinine clearance is measured in milliliter/minute (mL/min). The normal ranges for creatinine clearance are the following:

  • Female: 85-125 mL/min
  • Male: 95-135 mL/min

Technique

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Urine collection
Calculated value from blood draw

Preparation

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Avoid excessive exercise for 8 hours before the test.

What the results mean

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An increased creatinine clearance may be seen during pregnancy as well as with exercise.

A decrease in creatinine clearance may indicate dehydration, kidney failure, kidney damage, heart failure, and a blockage in the renal artery.