1. What is Creatinine Clearance?

Creatinine clearance (CrCl) is a measure of the rate at which creatinine is cleared from the blood by the kidneys. It provides an estimate of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and is used to assess kidney function.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the creatinine clearance equation:

Where:

• \( CrCl \) — Creatinine clearance (mL/min)
• \( UCr \) — Urine creatinine concentration (mg/dL)
• \( V \) — Urine flow rate (mL/min)
• \( PCr \) — Plasma creatinine concentration (mg/dL)

Explanation: The equation calculates how much creatinine is cleared from the blood per minute based on urine creatinine concentration, urine volume, and plasma creatinine level.

3. Importance of CrCl Calculation

Details: Creatinine clearance is crucial for assessing kidney function, adjusting medication dosages, and evaluating the progression of kidney disease.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter urine creatinine in mg/dL, urine volume in mL/min, and plasma creatinine in mg/dL. All values must be valid (greater than 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between CrCl and eGFR?
A: CrCl is measured from urine collection while eGFR is estimated from blood creatinine. CrCl is generally more accurate but requires urine collection.

Q2: What are normal CrCl values?
A: Normal is approximately 95-125 mL/min for young adults, decreasing with age. Values below 60 mL/min may indicate kidney dysfunction.

Q3: How should urine be collected for CrCl?
A: Typically a 24-hour urine collection is used, with careful timing and complete collection being critical for accuracy.

Q4: Are there limitations to CrCl measurement?
A: Accuracy depends on proper urine collection. It may overestimate GFR as creatinine is secreted by renal tubules.

Q5: Should this be used for drug dosing?
A: Yes, CrCl is commonly used for dosing medications that are renally excreted, especially in hospital settings.