Creatinine is a metabolic product produced by creatine and phosphocreatine in the muscles and its daily production is constant. A small amount of creatinine is produced from meat-based foods that are obtained from the daily diet. Creatinine will be carried through the blood to the kidneys. The kidneys will filter the creatinine and remove it through the urine.
The creatinine clearance test measures the amount of creatinine that has been removed from the blood into the urine over a 24-hour period.
Every people had a pair of kidney. However, human still can live normally with just one kidney.
What is the function of creatinine testing?
The creatinine test is used to test the ability of the kidneys to filter blood and urine. When kidney function is disrupted, the rate of kidney cleansing will also be disrupted.
The creatinine test is usually also performed in conjunction with other kidney function tests, including the blood urea level (BUN) test. Therefore, a creatinine test is often recommended when a person performs a routine examination.
Who needs a creatinine test?
Creatinine level testing may be necessary if you or someone close to you has symptoms caused by kidney disease, such as:
- lower back pain near the kidney area
- swelling in arms and ankles
- high blood pressure
- decreased frequency of urination
- foamy urine
- blood in urine (haematuria)
You may also need this examination if the blood or urine test results show that there is a problem with the kidneys.
In addition, there are several other conditions that can also affect kidney function that may require a creatinine test, which are:
- diabetes
- hypertension
- heart failure disease
- using drugs that affect the kidneys
