A creatinine blood test is done to assess kidney function. It is used to track and diagnose kidney diseases by testing the level of creatinine in your blood. It is a waste product produced by muscle metabolism and is filtered from the blood through the kidneys and then passed out in the urine.
If kidney function is impaired, creatinine builds up in the blood. A creatinine serum test is usually done along with other tests, such as a BUN (blood urea nitrogen) test or a urine albumin test. The following points list some of the symptoms you may experience if you have high creatinine levels:
Fatigue and trouble sleeping
If your kidneys aren’t functioning properly, you may experience fatigue and trouble sleeping. A Kidney function test can help to determine how well your kidneys are working and whether or not you have renal failure.
Swelling in wrists, abdomen, and face
When your kidneys are not working properly, creatinine builds up in your blood. A blood test measures the level of creatinine in your blood. If your kidneys are not working well, you may have swelling in your wrists, abdomen, and face.
This is because your body holds on to fluid when it doesn’t have enough kidney function to get rid of it. If you have had a recent injury or illness, you may also have an increase in creatinine levels due to muscle breakdown.
Changes in urine
The function of your Kidneys is to release the waste products from your blood, and creatinine is a waste product. If your kidneys are not working correctly, the creatinine level in your blood will increase.
One of the ways to test for kidney function is to measure the amount of creatinine in your urine. This test is called a urinary creatinine excretion test. Your doctor may order this test if they suspect you have kidney disease or are taking a medication that could affect your kidney function.
During the test, the doctor will ask you to collect all of the urine you produce over 24 hours. You will then take this sample to the lab for analysis. The lab will measure the amount of creatinine in your urine and compare it to the level in your blood.
This will give them an idea of how well your kidneys filter waste products. You can search online to know the creatinine serum test cost. If you have kidney disease, you may have changes in your urine. These changes can include the following:
- Increased levels of creatinine in your urine.
- Changes in the color of your urine (it may be darker than usual).
- Changes in the amount of protein in your urine (you may have more protein in your urine than normal).
High blood pressure
When you have high blood pressure, your heart works harder to pump blood around your body. This can lead to the build-up of a waste product called creatinine in your blood. A blood test measures the level of creatinine in your blood. It can be used to check how well your kidneys work and whether you have high blood pressure.
The test is usually done as part of a routine health check-up. Your doctor may recommend a creatinine serum test if you have kidney disease or high blood pressure symptoms. The points mentioned above will help you identify if you have any Kidney-related problems. So, make sure you track your body responses and symptoms and consult your doctor if you observe any of these symptoms.
