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Home > Blog > Creatinine Level and its Effect on Kidney Function Health

Creatinine Level and its Effect on Kidney Function Health

Creatinine Level and its Effect on Kidney Function Health

Max Lab

Aug 06, 2022

Creatinine is a chemical by-product produced by regular muscle metabolism as tissues break down. It is created and then filtered by the kidneys before being removed from the body via urine. The level of creatinine in the blood is an indicator of kidney functioning and health. The ability of the kidneys to remove creatinine from the blood and keep it creatinine-free is referred to as the creatinine clearance rate (CCR). Furthermore, CCR is determined by the rate at which blood flows through the kidneys, known as the glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Creatinine levels in the kidneys are closely related to muscle mass. This indicates that when a person's muscle mass increases, so will their creatinine production. Other factors that affect the amount of creatinine in the kidneys include body size, activity level and medicines.

Creatinine Test

The creatinine test is a basic test that has become the most commonly used measure of a person's kidney function. As a result, it is commonly included in the most common blood tests, both in blood and urine form. In addition, if kidney function is affected, creatinine levels in the blood tend to rise because a lesser amount of creatinine is excreted in the urine.

Why Is Creatinine Testing Conducted?

Creatinine testing can be used to diagnose kidney disease or monitor its progression. Elevated levels of creatinine in the blood may indicate impaired kidney function or damage, allowing doctors to intervene early and develop an appropriate treatment plan.

This test can also help determine if certain medications are affecting the kidneys. Some drugs have nephrotoxic side effects, meaning they can harm renal function over time. Monitoring creatinine levels allows doctors to adjust medication dosages or switch to alternative treatments as needed.

Furthermore, patients with known kidney problems may undergo regular creatinine testing to keep track of their condition. By monitoring changes in creatinine levels over time, healthcare providers can identify any worsening trends and make adjustments accordingly. You should be evaluated for kidney disease and other conditions that could cause renal failure if you have diabetes or high blood pressure.

In addition, to look for any indications of kidney injury or altered kidney function as a potential side effect of a drug.

Normal creatinine levels

In general, men's kidney creatinine levels range between 0.6 and 1.2 milligrams/deciliter (mg/dL). Women's levels are reported to be between 0.5 and 1.1 mg/dL. Women have lower kidney creatinine levels than men because they are comparatively less muscular.

Creatinine Levels Effect on Kidney Function

The kidneys keep blood creatinine levels within normal limits. Creatinine is a fairly accurate predictor of kidney function. A high creatinine level indicates poor kidney function or renal disease. When the kidneys become affected for some reason, the creatinine level in the blood rises due to poor creatinine clearance by the kidneys. Creatinine levels that are abnormally high indicate that the kidneys may be not functioning well or failing. As a result, the amount of creatinine in the blood is regularly checked in standard blood tests.

Understanding Creatinine Levels for Kidney Problems

Many people are uncertain when to be concerned about creatinine levels in the kidneys or what level of creatinine denotes kidney problems. In general, high creatinine levels are not a cause of concern on their own but they can be an early warning sign of serious health problems, such as a chronic kidney condition.

This is where the serum creatinine test comes in, as it can help diagnose problems with kidney function. Your estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) can assist in detecting if your kidneys are effectively clearing blood. The serum clearance test is crucial for determining your eGFR. If you have a chronic kidney condition, eGFR can help you determine the stage of the disease you are in.

Symptoms and Causes of High Creatinine Levels

Kidney problems can show up in a variety of ways, and in some situations, no symptoms are visible. Common high levels of creatinine symptoms include acute unexplainable fatigue and/or lethargy, dehydration, decreased urine production and/or dark urine colour, swelling over the legs, face, and eyes, and so on. Some of the other high creatinine levels symptoms and causes include:

  • Kidney Pain: It causes pain in the upper back and beneath the ribs, and common kidney pain symptoms include painful urination, mild to medium fever, vomiting, and nausea, among others.
  • Kidney Failure: Creatinine test results play a significant role in the detection of kidney failure. Kidney failure shows itself in the early stages as excessive tiredness, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, heart arrhythmia, and other symptoms.
  • Diabetes: Diabetes is a serious risk factor for kidney disease because it damages small blood arteries, affecting kidney function and placing kidneys at risk of infection due to waste build-up.

It is important to keep a track of your creatinine levels if you experiencing some problems in your kidney. Early detection can help you in the treatment of your kidney problems effectively. 

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