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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.
- Your doctor may recommend creatinine tests if you have an illness that may affect your kidneys or you're taking medication that may affect your kidneys.
References
- Creatinine. American Association for Clinical Chemistry. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/creatinine/multiprint.html. Accessed May 13, 2010.
- Stevens L, et al. Assessment of kidney function: Serum creatinine; BUN; and GFR. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 5, 2010.
- Kidney disease of diabetes. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/kdd/index.htm. Accessed May 13, 2010.
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