Simplifying Science™
Information displayed below is a subset of the entire knowledge base and may be incomplete intensionally or inadvertently. If you detect a serious error or want access to the complete knowledge base, please contact us.
Creatinine clearance is a clinical test used to measure the amount of creatinine that is cleared from the body in a given period of time. It is used to assess kidney function and is typically obtained from a patient's urine sample.
The method for obtaining a creatinine clearance test involves collecting a 24-hour urine sample from the patient. The patient should be instructed to collect all urine passed during the 24-hour period, including the first morning void. The sample should be stored in a clean, dry container and kept refrigerated until it is ready to be tested.
Once the sample is collected, it is sent to a laboratory for analysis. The laboratory will measure the creatinine concentration in the sample and calculate the creatinine clearance rate. The creatinine clearance rate is calculated by dividing the amount of creatinine excreted in the urine sample by the patient's body weight and then multiplying by the patient's age. The result is then divided by the length of the collection period (24 hours). The resulting number is the creatinine clearance rate.
All of the following must be considered when interpreting clinical findings and are too extensive to be covered on this site:
