A creatinine blood test is a laboratory test that measures the level of creatinine in the blood. Creatinine is a waste product that is produced by the muscles and is eliminated from the body through the kidneys. It is used to assess kidney function and to help diagnose and monitor various medical conditions that affect the kidneys.
A high level of creatinine in the blood (elevated creatinine) may indicate kidney disease or damage, while a low level of creatinine (decreased creatinine) may be due to certain medications or conditions that affect the muscles or kidneys.
The test is usually performed on a sample of blood that is drawn from a vein in the arm.
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