Creatinine tests

Tests and Procedures

Overview Why it's done How you prepare What you can expect Results

Your doctor or other health care provider may order a creatinine test for the following reasons:

To make a diagnosis if you have signs or symptoms of kidney disease
To screen for kidney disease if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or other conditions that increase the risk of kidney disease
To monitor kidney disease treatment or progression
To monitor for side effects of drugs that may include kidney damage or altered kidney function
To monitor the function of a transplanted kidney