What Is A Creatinine Test?

What To Expect

A creatinine blood test is administered similarly to how other blood tests are administered. A blood sample is usually taken from an easily accessible vein in a patient's inner elbow. A large rubber band-like tourniquet is wrapped around their upper arm, causing the veins to fill up with blood better. Once the nurse has found a good vein to draw from, they use an alcohol pad or another antiseptic to sterilize the area where they are going to insert the needle. A sterile needle is then used to collect one or two tubes of blood from the selected vein. The test itself is not painful, although a small prick can be felt when the needle is inserted into the skin and vein. Once the collection of blood in the vial is completed, the nurse uses a cotton ball or bandage to place pressure on the puncture as they remove the needle from the injection site. A blood draw for a creatinine test is a low-risk procedure, but some patients may experience complications that include vertigo, dizziness, fainting at the sight of blood, puncture site redness, puncture site soreness, bruising, infection, and pain.

Read about what low creatinine means next.

What Low Creatinine Levels Mean

A normal creatinine level is typically above 0.6 milligrams per deciliter of blood in females between eighteen and sixty years old. A normal creatinine level is typically above 0.9 milliliters per deciliter of blood in males between the same ages A creatinine level lower than these values is very uncommon among the population. A disease of the muscles, liver disease, and excessive water loss can all cause an individual to have low levels of creatinine in their blood. Muscle diseases like muscular dystrophy can produce muscle stiffness, muscle weakness, decreased mobility, and muscle stiffness. Liver disease that causes low creatinine can produce abdominal swelling, pale stools, abdominal pain, jaundice, bloody stools, and tar-colored stools. Individuals who have low muscle mass will naturally have lower creatinine levels in their blood, as creatinine is a direct byproduct of muscle tissue breakdown. Low muscle mass does not always indicate a serious medical issue, as it can be the result of a low-protein diet or being elderly.

Get the details on what high creatinine means next.