Creatinine, urine

Test Code
CREATININE, URINE


Alias/See Also
Chemistry


Preferred Specimen
Random urine


Transport Temperature
Refrigerate


Specimen Stability
Room temperature (20 to 25°C): 3 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C): 3 days
Frozen (-20°C or colder): 2 weeks
Avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles


Methodology
Methodology: Kinetic Alkaline Picrate

Setup Schedule
Daily


Report Available
TAT 1 day


Reference Range
Reference Range (Urine, Random)23
Age Range
(mg/dL)
 
Male < 40 years 24 - 393  
Male ≥ 40 years 22 - 328  
Female < 40 years 16 - 327  
Female ≥ 40 years 15 - 278  


Clinical Significance

Creatinine is eliminated from blood by glomerular filtration. Reduced renal function results in an increased serum creatinine concentration. Measurement of serum creatinine is used to diagnose and monitor acute and chronic renal disease, estimate glomerular filtration rate (GFR), or assess the status of renal dialysis patients. Urine creatinine analysis is used to calculate creatinine clearance, confirm completeness of 24 hour collections, or serve as a reference quantity for other analytes, such as in calculation of the albumin/creatinine ratio.1 In 1886 Jaffe developed an assay for creatinine based upon the reaction between creatinine and sodium picrate.2 In 1904 Folin3 used this reaction for the quantitative determination of creatinine in urine. Kinetic procedures based on the observed reaction rates of various substances, including creatinine, with alkaline picrate have been proposed by Fabiny4 and Soldin.5 This improved Jaffe chemistry is a kinetic procedure which does not require deproteinization of the sample and is formulated to reduce the interference of serum proteins.




Performing Laboratory
Test performed in these BACL Chemistry Labs
Contact: Jonathan Dryjowicz-Burek, West Roxbury 857-203-5973
Alternate contact: Joseph A. Manzone JP 857-364-5092


Last Updated: October 7, 2026


The CPT Codes provided in this document are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payor being billed. Any Profile/panel component may be ordered separately. Reflex tests are performed at an additional charge.