Test ID CTU Creatinine, 24 Hour, Urine
Necessary Information
24-Hour volume (in milliliters) is required.
Specimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt 5 mL Aliquot Tube (T914)
Collection Container/Tube: 24-hour graduated urine container with no metal cap or glued insert
Submission Container/Tube: Plastic tube or a clean, plastic aliquot container with no metal cap or glued insert
Specimen Volume: 4 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect urine for 24 hours.
2. Refrigerate specimen within 4 hours of completion of 24-hour collection.
Additional Information:
1. This test does not require the use of a chemical preservative; if a chemical preservative is used, it must be added to the specimen within 4 hours of completion of 24-hour collection.
2. See Urine Preservatives-Collection and Transportation for 24-Hour Urine Specimens for multiple collections.
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Renal Diagnostics Test Request (T830) with the specimen.
Secondary ID
610601Useful For
Calculation of creatinine clearance, a measure of renal function, when used in conjunction with serum creatinine
Special Instructions
Method Name
Enzymatic Colorimetric Assay
Reporting Name
Creatinine, 24 HR, USpecimen Type
UrineSpecimen Minimum Volume
1 mL
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | |
---|---|---|---|
Urine | Refrigerated (preferred) | 30 days | |
Frozen | 30 days | ||
Ambient | 14 days |
Clinical Information
Creatinine is formed from the metabolism of creatine and phosphocreatine, both of which are principally found in muscle. Thus the amount of creatinine produced is, in large part, dependent upon the individual's muscle mass and tends not to fluctuate much from day-to-day.
Creatinine is not protein bound and is freely filtered by glomeruli. All of the filtered creatinine is excreted in the urine. Renal tubular secretion of creatinine also contributes to a small proportion of excreted creatinine. Although most excreted creatinine is derived from an individual's muscle, dietary protein intake, particularly of cooked meat, can contribute to urinary creatinine levels.
The renal clearance of creatinine provides an estimate of glomerular filtration rate.
Reference Values
Reference values mg per 24 hours:
Males ≥18 years: 930-2955 mg/24 hours
Females ≥18 years: 603-1783 mg/24 hours
Reference values have not been established for patients who are less than 18 years of age.
For SI unit Reference Values, see www.mayocliniclabs.com/order-tests/si-unit-conversion.html
Cautions
The reliability of 24-hour urinary creatinine determinations is, as for all timed urine collections, very dependent on accurately collected 24-hour specimens.
Intra-individual variability in creatinine excretion may be due to differences in muscle mass or amount of ingested meat.
Acute changes in glomerular filtration rate, before a steady state has developed, will alter the amount of urinary creatinine excreted.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
1 to 2 daysPerforming Laboratory

Test Classification
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.CPT Code Information
82570