Laboratory tests in renal disease
Reading creatinine, eGFR, cystatin C and Cockcroft-Gault (including in older people), the urine dipstick and microscopy, haematuria and proteinuria (ACR versus PCR), electrolytes, FBC clues and the blood gas in kidney disease, with worked examples.
Tier 1Medical sciences concept
Written with AI assistance and fact-checked against the sources below. For exam study, not clinical decisions. How notes are made
At a glance
- Creatinine reflects GFR and muscle mass. eGFR (CKD-EPI) is only valid at steady state.
- For dosing in older or small patients, use Cockcroft-Gault creatinine clearance or measured GFR.
- Urine ACR detects early kidney damage; PCR captures all protein, including tubular proteins and light chains.
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Sources
- Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Management in Primary Care, 5th editionAU/NZKidney Health Australia, 2024
- RCPA Manual (pathology test entries for creatinine, eGFR, cystatin C, urine albumin and protein, urine microscopy)AU/NZRoyal College of Pathologists of Australasia, online, checked November 2026
- KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. Kidney International 2024;105(4S):S117-S314Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes, 2024
- Inker LA et al. New creatinine- and cystatin C-based equations to estimate GFR without race. N Engl J Med 2021;385:1737-49New England Journal of Medicine, 2021
- Smith ER et al. The value of simultaneous measurements of urinary albumin and total protein in proteinuric patients. Nephrol Dial Transplant 2012;27(4):1534-41Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, 2012
- Cockcroft DW, Gault MH. Prediction of creatinine clearance from serum creatinine. Nephron 1976;16:31-41Nephron, 1976
- Last updated
- 14 November 2026
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