All You Need To Know About Creatinine and Creatinine Blood Test

What do you mean by Creatinine?

Creatinine is a type of waste product which is found in the muscles and is eliminated by the kidneys. A creatinine blood test is performed to measure the level of creatinine in the blood for the proper functioning of the kidneys. The creatinine concentrations in the blood help to provide the doctor information about the health of the kidneys. The presence of high level of creatinine in the blood indicates that the kidneys are not functioning properly. 

Why is the test performed?

The blood test is performed to measure the level of creatinine present in the body, a higher amount of which can lead to certain types of kidney diseases. Some of the common symptoms of kidney disease include –

• Excessive fatigue and trouble during sleeping.
• Loss of appetite.
• Swelling of the face, wrist, and ankles.
• Vomiting tendency.
•  Lower back pain near the kidneys.
• Changes in the frequency of urination.

Chronic kidney problems can cause certain types of diseases, including –

• Prostrate disorders.
• Blockage in the urinary tract due to the presence of kidney stones.
• Glomerulonephritis, an inflammatory condition.
• Decrease in the flow of blood to the kidneys.
• Death of the kidney cells.

How to prepare for the test?

Creatinine blood test doesn’t require much preparation. However, it's important to consult with the doctor about the ongoing medications. Some of the common drugs that might interfere with your creatinine test results include - Chemotherapy drugs, Cephalosporin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines, and Cimetidine.

How to interpret the test results?

The level of Creatinine is measured in milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/Dl). The normal creatinine level should range between 0.7 to 1.3 mg/dL in men and d0.6 to 11 mg/dL in women. A high-level of creatinine in the blood indicates that the kidneys aren't functioning properly. The reasons for slightly higher level than normal can be due to a blocked urinary tract, dehydration, intake of a high protein diet, reduced flow of blood to the kidneys due to heart failure or shock, etc.

Having extremely low creatinine level than the normal range is a rare case. However, this can occur if you have weak muscles.

It is also important to note that, the Creatinine blood test results may vary from one diagnostic lab to another. The test results can also vary depending on the gender and age of the patient. The test is inexpensive in nature and possesses minimal or no risk or complications.

Types of HIV Tests and Preventive Means

HIV or Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a type of virus that develops into the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) if not treated on time. The virus of HIV spreads through certain body fluids and attacks the immune system, especially the CD4 cells, making the person prone to other infections or infection-related cancers. There are quite a few types of HIV test formulated by medical science that help in the detection of the disease. However, no effective cure is currently available. The condition can be controlled with proper care and regular medications. 

Types of HIV Tests

For diagnosing this condition, the following types of HIV testing methods are used. 

• CD4 Count Test – The virus of HIV is known to target and kill the CD4 cells. A healthy adult typically has 500 cells per cubic millimetre. When the virus attacks, the count significant drops. A count less than 200 cells per cubic millimetre means a person may have AIDS.
• Viral Load – This is another factor that helps detect HIV. It measures the quantity of HIV virus present in the bloodstream. When the viral load is low, it means a person is likely to spread HIV to other people around. It is also used for mapping the effectiveness of an on-going HIV treatment.
• Drug Resistance – Certain tests are ordered to understand if a patient’s strain of HIV is resistant to certain medicines which are used for the treatment of the disease. This helps in defining the course of one’s treatment.
• Other Related tests – Of these above-mentioned types of HIV tests in India, there are many other tests which may be ordered to monitor the common complications of the disease or side effects of an on-going treatment. These include liver function test, kidney function test, cardiovascular and metabolic change mapping tests, etc. 

Test Results and Preventive Means

The types of HIV test results typically depend upon the condition of the person and the depth of the prevalence of the disease in the body. The results help a physician in knowing how much damage has the disease done to the body and which medications would best suit to curb the effect. Since, there’s no specific cure available for HIV, the best a person can do to prevent the condition of HIV turning into AIDS is to adhere to a doctor’s prescribed medications and take the necessary measures. For the slightest of error in one’s treatment can jeopardize his/her overall condition.

What is Hemoglobin Blood test – Why it’s done, Procedure and Normal Test Range

Hemoglobin makes for one of the most essential components of the blood that aids in the transportation of food and oxygen to different parts of the body. A deviation in the level of hemoglobin present in the blood causes the onset of many conditions and diseases. In order to keep a check on the levels, it’s essential to get a hemoglobin blood test done at regular intervals. 

A hemoglobin blood test reveals whether the hemoglobin levels are lower than normal or higher in value. In any case, many body parts start to dysfunction and pave way for related conditions to pop up. 

Why is hemoglobin Test done?

The test is usually recommended to check the following conditions:-

• Overall health of the patient
• Diagnose a medical condition related to RBCs, overall blood composition, etc.
• Monitor the condition of a patient undergoing a medical treatment such as chemotherapy, etc.

How is the Test Performed?

Being a kind of blood test, a sample of blood is extracted from one of the veins of the body, usually from the one visible near the elbow or the back of the hand, though a vein puncture process. The blood is carefully stored in sterilized test tube which is then sent to the hematology laboratory for the purpose of examination and analysis. 

Minimally invasive in nature, the risk factors associated with a blood test are negligible. However, in rare cases, a patient may feel itchy, witness slight bruising at the site of puncture, or even see a bump develop there. These side effects, though disappear after a while. In rarest or rare cases, a patient may acquire a disease if the lab technician uses a needle that’s infected or contaminated.

Who offers this test service?

All the leading medical houses and pathology labs in the nation offer a hemoglobin blood test service. Many health checkup packages in Faridabad and other cities of India, offered by diagnostic chains, include a hemoglobin test. Opting for such packages is a good idea as it helps in mapping one’s overall health and see if he/she is prone to the risk of developing a potential disease in the coming future. The hemoglobin blood test cost is quite reasonable. 

How to Understand Test Results?

Hemoglobin blood test normal range for men falls between 13.5 and 17.5 grams per deciliter. Whereas in case of women it is 12.0 to 15.5 grams per deciliter. Normal range in case of children depends upon a number of factors, including age and sex.

Prolactin Blood Test- A Smart Way to Check the Level of Prolactin Hormone

Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that is responsible for producing milk after childbirth. Also known as PRL or Lactogenic hormone, it is important both for male and female reproductive health. An abnormally high level of prolactin can cause non-cancerous tumours on pituitary gland and can lead to severe headaches, visual impairment, and abnormal facial hair growth in women, erectile dysfunction and reduced sex drive or fertility problems. If one is experiencing the above-mentioned symptoms, prolactin blood test must be performed immediately to avoid further complications. Prolactin blood test fasting is needed to perform before the test. Several types of medicines like- birth control pills, high blood pressure drugs and antidepressants can affect the test result. Therefore, it is always advised to consult about the patient’s medical history before performing the test.

Women suffering from prolactin may experience the following symptoms –

•     Unexplained headaches.
•     Pain or discomfort during sex.
•     Glactorrhea.
•     Visual impairment.
•     Abnormal growth of facial and body hair.

Men having an abnormal level of prolactin may experience symptoms like-

•     Erectile dysfunction.
•     Reduced sex drive.
•     Fertility problems.

A prolactin blood test helps to investigate testicular dysfunction and evaluate problems with pituitary gland or Hypothalamus. The test helps to diagnose the cause of menstrual irregularities and infertility in women. A prolactin blood test range varies from one lab to another and can be ordered with other growth hormone level tests.

How to prepare for the test?

A prolactin blood test involves a simple procedure and takes few minutes to perform in the lab. One needs to fast for atleast 8-10 hours before performing the test. A prolactin blood test cost is minimal and carries no risk or complications.

What do the test results mean?

The level of prolactin present in men and non- pregnant women tend to be low. Both during and post pregnancy, the presence of high level of prolactin in the body is a healthy sign.

The normal value of the results should involve-

• Non- pregnant women: prolactin value should be less than 25 ng/Ml.
• Pregnant women: prolactin level should range between 34 to 386 ng/Ml.
• Men: prolactin value should be less than 15 ng/ML.

What do high levels mean?

According to experts, low prolactin level in blood is usually not a concern. However, abnormally high prolactin level, known as Hyperprolactinemia, indicates a deeper issue. It can be caused due to several types of health disorders such as liver diseases, kidney diseases and hypothyroidism.