- What is Serum Creatinine?
- Creatinine is a waste product that comes from the normal wear and tear of muscles. The kidneys filter creatinine out of the blood and excrete it in urine.
- Serum creatinine levels are a key indicator of kidney function, as they reflect how well the kidneys are filtering waste.
- Normal Ranges:
- For men, the normal range is approximately 0.6 to 1.2 mg/dL.
- For women, it’s typically 0.5 to 1.1 mg/dL, as women generally have less muscle mass.
- These ranges can vary slightly based on age, muscle mass, and overall health.
- What Do High Serum Creatinine Levels Indicate?
- High serum creatinine levels may suggest that the kidneys are not functioning properly, potentially indicating:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
- Acute kidney injury
- Dehydration or blockage in the urinary tract.
- Kidney function can be further evaluated with the glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which is often estimated using creatinine levels.
- High serum creatinine levels may suggest that the kidneys are not functioning properly, potentially indicating:
- Why is Serum Creatinine Important?
- It’s a reliable marker of kidney health and is frequently monitored in patients with conditions that affect the kidneys, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
- Early detection of elevated creatinine allows for timely intervention to prevent or manage kidney disease.
Recommended Tests
- Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR): This test uses serum creatinine levels to estimate how well the kidneys are filtering blood. It is a critical tool for diagnosing and monitoring chronic kidney disease (CKD).
- Urea: Urea is another waste product filtered by the kidneys, and high levels can also indicate impaired kidney function. This test is often paired with serum creatinine to assess overall kidney health.
