Blood Test for Creatinine Levels
Kidney Health Care - David Mangusan Jr., PTRP
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Elevated creatinine levels in the blood may mean that a person may have chronic kidney disease (CKD). Creatinine is a substance that results from the breakdown of creatine—one of the components of muscles.
Normally, creatinine is released out of the body by the normal kidneys in the urine. When the kidneys are not working as they should, creatinine will tend to build up in the blood. This can cause a rise in blood creatinine levels.
Blood testing is used to measure the levels of creatinine in the blood, which can be a tool for evaluating kidney function.
Procedure of Blood Sample Extraction
Blood sample is usually extracted from a vein near the elbow. Blood sample extraction is usually done on the person’s non-dominant hand. This means that if the person is right-handed, the healthcare provider will extract blood from his or her left arm.
The doctor or healthcare provider will disinfect the site where blood will be extracted. He or she will then wrap an elastic band on the patient’s upper arm. This is done to make the vein more prominent as it will cause blood to accumulate causing it to swell for a short time.
Once the vein has been located, the healthcare provider will then insert a needle attached to a tube where blood is collected. The elastic band is then removed from the arm.
After enough blood sample has been extracted, the provider will gently remove the needle and immediately cover the punctured area with cotton to stop bleeding.
Be sure to tell your doctor or healthcare provider if you are using any medication as this might result in a false reading.
The Result of Your Blood Test
According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the “normal value is about 0.8 to 1.4 mg/dL.” Different laboratories may have varying ranges so be sure to talk with your doctor about the result of your blood test.
People who have more muscle mass may have higher creatinine than those who have less. For example, women have lower levels of creatinine than men because of differences in muscle mass.
Sources:
MedlinePlus (July, 2010). Creatinine – blood. National Library of Medicine (NLM). Available Online at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003475.htm. Accessed on July 20, 2010.
National Kidney Disease Education Program (June, 2010). Laboratory Professionals: Whole Blood Protocol. National Institute if Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Available Online at http://www.nkdep.nih.gov/labprofessionals/whole_blood_protocol.htm. Accessed on July 20, 2010.
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Normally, creatinine is released out of the body by the normal kidneys in the urine. When the kidneys are not working as they should, creatinine will tend to build up in the blood. This can cause a rise in blood creatinine levels.
Blood testing is used to measure the levels of creatinine in the blood, which can be a tool for evaluating kidney function.
Procedure of Blood Sample Extraction
Blood sample is usually extracted from a vein near the elbow. Blood sample extraction is usually done on the person’s non-dominant hand. This means that if the person is right-handed, the healthcare provider will extract blood from his or her left arm.
The doctor or healthcare provider will disinfect the site where blood will be extracted. He or she will then wrap an elastic band on the patient’s upper arm. This is done to make the vein more prominent as it will cause blood to accumulate causing it to swell for a short time.
Once the vein has been located, the healthcare provider will then insert a needle attached to a tube where blood is collected. The elastic band is then removed from the arm.
After enough blood sample has been extracted, the provider will gently remove the needle and immediately cover the punctured area with cotton to stop bleeding.
Be sure to tell your doctor or healthcare provider if you are using any medication as this might result in a false reading.
The Result of Your Blood Test
According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the “normal value is about 0.8 to 1.4 mg/dL.” Different laboratories may have varying ranges so be sure to talk with your doctor about the result of your blood test.
People who have more muscle mass may have higher creatinine than those who have less. For example, women have lower levels of creatinine than men because of differences in muscle mass.
Sources:
MedlinePlus (July, 2010). Creatinine – blood. National Library of Medicine (NLM). Available Online at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003475.htm. Accessed on July 20, 2010.
National Kidney Disease Education Program (June, 2010). Laboratory Professionals: Whole Blood Protocol. National Institute if Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Available Online at http://www.nkdep.nih.gov/labprofessionals/whole_blood_protocol.htm. Accessed on July 20, 2010.
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