Creatinine and Creatinine Clearance

Blood Creatinine

Why It Is Done

A blood creatinine level or a creatinine clearance test is done to:

• See if your kidneys are working normally.
• See if your kidney disease is changing.
• See how well the kidneys work in people who take medicines that can cause kidney damage.
• See if severe dehydration is present. Dehydration generally causes BUN levels to rise more than creatinine levels. This causes a high BUN-to-creatinine ratio. Kidney disease or blockage of the flow of urine from your kidney causes both BUN and creatinine levels to rise.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: August 21, 2006
Medical Review:	Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
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