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By Mayo Clinic staffDuring the serum creatinine test, a member of your health care team simply takes a sample of blood by inserting a needle into a vein in your arm. The blood sample is sent to a lab for analysis. You can return to your usual activities immediately.
In some cases, your doctor may measure the level of creatinine in your urine as well. For this test, part of a creatinine clearance test, your doctor may ask you to collect 24 hours' worth of urine in a special container and submit it for analysis. The urine creatinine test can help your doctor more accurately assess the presence or degree of kidney failure.
References
- Creatinine. American Association for Clinical Chemistry. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/creatinine/multiprint.html. Accessed Nov. 8, 2012.
- Inker LA, et al. Assessment of kidney function. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Nov. 8, 2012.
- Kidney disease of diabetes. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kdd/index.htm. Accessed Nov. 8, 2012.
- Anderson CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 9, 2012.
- American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes — 2013. Diabetes Care. 2013:36:S1.
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