Creatinine clearance

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Creatinine tests

Overview

Risks

Results

Creatinine clearance

Alternative Names:

GFR; Glomerular filtration rate

What the risks are:

The risks of the test are minimal and are related to the blood draw process. Rarely, the following will occur:

Excessive bleeding at blood draw site
Fainting or feeling light-headed
Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
Multiple punctures to locate veins

Special considerations:

Factors that may interfere with the accuracy of the test are as follows:

Incomplete urine collection
Pregnancy or vigorous exercise

Drugs that can interfere with creatinine clearance measurements include: cimetidine, trimethoprim, and nephrotoxic drugs, such as cephalosporins (cefoxitin).

Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.

Review Date: 2/3/2006
Reviewed By: Charles Silberberg, DO, Private Practice specializing in Nephrology, Affiliated with New York Medical College, Division of Nephrology, Valhalla, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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