Creatinine clearance test. This test evaluates how efficiently the kidneys clear a substance called creatinine from the blood.

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Creatinine clearance is a measure of kidney function. Patients are on dialysis because their kidneys do not function properly thus their creatinine clearance would be very, very low. Some patients may have some residual kidney function but their creatinine clearance would be less than probably 10 ml/min.

In general, creatinine clearance is the removal of creatinine from the body. In renal physiology, creatinine clearance is the volume of blood plasma that is cleared of creatinine per unit time. Clinically, creatinine clearance is a useful measure for estimating the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of the kidneys.1

Creatinine is a breakdown product of creatine phosphate in muscle, and is usually produced at a fairly constant rate by the body (depending on muscle mass).2

The result of this test is an important gauge used in assessing excretory function of the kidneys.1

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creatinine_clearance
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creatinine

Low clearance values for creatinine and urea indicate a diminished ability of the kidneys to filter these waste products from the blood and to excrete them in the urine.