Included with every panel
Baseline labs come free with any panel you build.
Metabolism & organs
Creatinine test
A muscle waste product cleared by the kidneys; the core marker used to estimate kidney filtration (eGFR). Included with every panel.
At a glance
In about 5 days
Most results are ready in about 5 days. Some specialty markers can take up to 21 days.
Check before your draw
This marker has no preparation tag, but it can still need preparation. Contact us before your draw if you’re not sure.
Walk in at Quest
Your lab order arrives by email. Most Quest locations take walk-ins, so bring it with a photo ID.
What it measures
Creatinine is a waste product your muscles make through everyday use. Your kidneys filter it out of your blood, so the level is one of the main ways to check how well they’re working.
Why it matters for women
Women can have less muscle than men, so creatinine can run lower, and labs may use a separate range for women. In pregnancy your kidneys filter more, so creatinine can naturally drop, and a level that looks normal for others may deserve a closer look.
You might check it if…
- you live with high blood pressure or diabetes
- you’re pregnant or planning to be
- kidney disease runs in your family
- you often take anti-inflammatory pain relievers
What your result may mean
High Creatinine: what it may mean
High creatinine may point to reduced kidney filtration, and it can also rise with dehydration or high muscle mass. Hard exercise, creatine supplements, a big meal of cooked meat and some medicines can nudge it up too. In pregnancy, creatinine can naturally drop, so a level that looks normal for others may deserve a closer look. Swelling, tiredness or changes in urination can appear, or there may be no symptoms until kidney function is quite low. A clinician may use this result to estimate your eGFR.
Low Creatinine: what it may mean
Low creatinine may be harmless, and it can reflect low muscle mass, pregnancy or overhydration. Women can have less muscle than men, so labs may use a separate range for women. Weight loss, aging and muscle-wasting conditions can lower it too. A low level may not cause symptoms by itself. It can make kidney estimates look better than they are, though, so a clinician may add a cystatin C test if muscle mass is very low.
Get started
Stop guessing. Start testing.
Answer a few questions. We’ll suggest tests linked to how you feel, with a clear price for every test.
No insurance required · HSA/FSA eligible · No subscription
These notes provide context and do not diagnose a condition. Not yet available in NY, NJ, RI, HI, ND, SD or WV.