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By Mayo Clinic staffA serum creatinine test — which measures the level of creatinine in your blood — can indicate whether your kidneys are working properly. How often you need creatinine tests depends on any underlying conditions and your risk of kidney damage. For example:
- If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, your doctor may recommend a creatinine test at least once a year.
- If you have kidney disease, your doctor may recommend creatinine tests at regular intervals to monitor your condition.
- If you have an illness that may affect your kidneys — such as high blood pressure or diabetes — or you're taking medication that may affect your kidneys, your doctor may recommend creatinine tests.
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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