Creatinine Clearance test price | IntroLab Belgrade
Južni bulevar 116, Vračar
+381 11 347 3652
EN
IntroLab, laboratory diagnostics
Book a slot

Creatinine Clearance

Price400 RSD
Result in4h
Sample24 urine
Creatinine Clearance test, IntroLab laboratory Belgrade Written byMilica Ranković Creatinine Clearance test, IntroLab laboratory Belgrade Medically reviewed byDr. Igor Švonja, MD

Published: Updated:

The creatinine clearance test assesses kidney function by measuring the rate at which creatinine, a waste product of muscle metabolism, is excreted by the kidneys. This test indicates the efficiency of the kidneys’ filtration process and their ability to remove creatinine from the blood. Available at our private laboratory, IntroLab in Belgrade, this test is part of our biochemical urine analysis services.

What is Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance?

Creatine phosphate in muscles helps produce energy for muscle contractions and spontaneously converts into creatinine, which is then excreted in urine. The amount of creatinine produced depends on muscle mass, which varies based on factors such as:

  • Gender
  • Age
  • Ethnicity

Creatinine is filtered by the kidneys and excreted through urine.

The blood creatinine level reflects the balance between its production (dependent on muscle mass) and its excretion rate through urine. For each person, the blood creatinine level remains relatively stable as long as muscle mass is constant, and urine excretion is normal. However, the amount of creatinine removed from the blood depends on the kidneys’ filtration capacity and the rate of blood flow through them.

Creatinine clearance is calculated from the creatinine levels in blood and 24-hour urine samples. This result estimates the volume of blood filtered by the kidneys over 24 hours and includes factors such as the patient’s height and weight.

Interpreting Results

Low values may indicate:

  • Reduced blood flow to the kidneys, potentially due to heart disease, certain medications, or shock.
  • Kidney diseases that impair their function and reduce creatinine filtration.

High values are rare but may occur:

  • During pregnancy, where increased creatinine excretion may happen naturally.
  • After consuming large amounts of meat, which can temporarily raise creatinine levels.

It’s important to note that various medications, including diuretics, can influence creatinine clearance results. Medication use should be considered when interpreting these results.

Additionally, improper collection of the 24-hour urine sample can result in inaccurate results. Therefore, it is essential to follow the urine collection instructions carefully to ensure the sample’s integrity.

Sample and preparation: Creatinine Clearance

Sample
24 urine
Sampling
Urine collection
Result in
4h
Preparation
Determine if one or more 2-liter bottles are needed. Discard the first morning urine (do not collect it). Collect all urine produced throughout the day and night in the bottle. Include the first morning urine of the following day. Deliver the entire collected sample to the laboratory for analysis. For certain tests, a preservative must be added to the bottle first – ask the laboratory for specific instructions.
Category
Urine analysis

Frequently asked questions

How is a creatinine clearance test done, and how do I prepare?

For creatinine clearance, all urine is collected over 24 hours. Discard the first morning urine, then collect all other urine during the day and night in a 2-liter bottle, or several if needed. Add the first morning urine of the next day to the bottle and bring all of it to IntroLab laboratory. For some tests, a preservative is first added to the bottle, so check the procedure with the laboratory. Improper urine collection can give an inaccurate result.

How is creatinine clearance calculated, and how much does the test cost?

Creatinine clearance is calculated from the creatinine level in blood and the amount of creatinine in 24-hour urine, and the patient’s height and weight are included in the calculation. The result shows how efficiently the kidneys filter creatinine from the blood. At IntroLab laboratory, the creatinine clearance test costs 400 RSD, and results are ready 4 hours after the sample is submitted. Some medicines, such as diuretics, can affect the result, so tell your doctor about them.

What does low creatinine clearance mean?

Low creatinine clearance means that the kidneys are removing creatinine from the blood more slowly. The cause may be reduced blood flow to the kidneys, for example in heart disease, shock or due to certain medicines, but also various kidney diseases that impair filtration. High values are less common and occur, for example, in pregnancy. Your creatinine clearance result from IntroLab laboratory is interpreted by a doctor, taking into account your medicines and how the urine was collected.

Urine analysis

Related tests and panels

All tests: Urine analysis
400 RSD Call Book